Alumni Awards & Recognition

Athletic Hall of Fame Information

Alumni Achievement Awards

Each year, UD alumni are recognized for their achievements in their communities or while on campus at the University of Dubuque. Nominations can be submitted by a University of Dubuque alumna/us or by a member of the campus community. Nominations can be made year round using the nomination form at the top of the page. Awards are presented during the Homecoming Awards and Recognition Bruch each fall. There are six award categories, descriptions and criteria for each award is listed below.

Alumnus/Alumna of Distinction Award

Awarded to a graduate or friend of the University who has distinguished himself/herself in service to the whole church and/or the world; has characterized or exemplified the academic, physical, and spiritual growth we hold as goals in life of a University of Dubuque student; and has displayed loyalty and interested concern for the University of Dubuque and its future.

Previous Award Recipients

  • Barbara (Kelly) Smeltzer (C'66) and Jack Smeltzer (HON'02)
  • Suzanne (Luck) Preiss (C'72) and Jack Preiss (C'72)
  • Robert Nagel (C'51)
  • John Couchman (C'69)
  • Durwood (C'52, MDiv'55) and Barbara (Skaife) (C'57) Busse
  • Richard Svrluga (C'71)
  • James Martin (C'67)
  • Betty Takes (C'79)
  • Bobbi Alpers (C'73)
  • Javaune Adams-Gaston (C'78)
  • Duane "Dewey" Feuerhelm (C'56)
  • Robert Schwaegler (C'56)
  • William Svrluga (C'66)
  • Silas Kessler (C'32, BDiv'34)
  • Mark Brodersen (C'71)
  • Wilfred "Bill" Sawyier (C'45)
  • Alvin Straatmeyer (C'54, MDiv'57)
  • Richard Aborn (C'74)
  • Laura Palmer-Noone (C'80)
  • Duane Meyer (C'50)
  • James Schneck (C'64)
  • Anthony "Tony" Danza (C'72, DHL'04)
  • Hsuan Owyang (C'50)
  • Lee Beck (C'65)
  • Dennis Dammerman (C'67, DHL'03)
  • Duane Rumbaugh (C'50)
  • Lois (Schneider) Selmar (C'52)
  • Robert MacAskill (C'43)
  • Keith Ackman (C'50)
  • Charles Chakerian (C'24)
  • Donald Swain (C'53)
  • Walter Soboleff (C'37, MDiv'40)
  • William Grings (C'40)
  • J. Bruce Meriwether (C'60, DHL'02)
  • Arline Dieterich (C'41)
  • Harold "Hal" Fisher (C'49)
  • Roderick Riggs (C'55)
  • Eugene Siekmann (C'35, MDiv'51, DHL'61)
  • Donovan Ward (C'25)
  • Lee Chang (C'25, DLAW'46)
  • Dexter French (C'38, DSCI'60)
  • Paul Laube (C'32, DHL'95)
  • Susan Bellinger (C'59)
  • Herbert Gearhart (C'51)
  • Gerald Smith (C'42)
  • Ruben Austin (C'36)
  • William Troxell (C'38)
  • Richard Biek (C'53)
  • Joseph Duke (C'20, DLAW'60)
  • Charles Tyrrell (C'36)
  • Joseph Mihelic (C'32)
  • Edgar Boell (C'29, DSCI'52)
  • Oliver Ohmann (C'22)
  • George Sisler (C'19)
  • William Petersen (C'26)
  • Edward Pike (C'25, DHL'63)
  • Gilbert Forbes, posthumously
  • Clarence Peterson (C'21)
  • Ethelda (Norberg) Sassenrath (C'42)
  • Homer Conzett (C'42)
  • David Gelzer (C'41, MDiv'43)
  • Robert MacAskill (C'43)
  • Keith Ackman (C'50)
  • Charles Chakerian (C'24)
  • Donald Swain (C'53)
  • Walter Soboleff (C'37, MDiv'40)
  • William Grings (C'40)
  • J. Bruce Meriwether (C'60, DHL'02)
  • Arline Dieterich (C'41)
  • Harold "Hal" Fisher (C'49)
  • Roderick "Rod" Riggs (C'55)
  • Donovan Ward (C'25)
  • Lee Chang (C'25, DLAW'46)
  • Dexter French (C'38, DSCI'60)
  • Paul Laube (C'32, DHL'95)
  • Susan Bellinger (C'59)
  • Herbert "Herb" Gearhart (C'51)
  • Gerald Smith (C'42)
  • Ruben Austin (C'36)
  • William Troxell (C'38)
  • Richard Biek (C'53)
  • Joseph Duke (C'20, DLAW'60)
  • Charles Tyrrell (C'36)
  • Joseph Mihelic (C'32)
  • Edgar Boell (C'29, DSCI'52)
  • Oliver Ohmann (C'22)
  • George Sisler (C'19)
  • William Petersen (C'26)
  • Edward Pike (C'25, DHL'63)
  • Gilbert Forbes, posthumously
  • Clarence Peterson (C'21)
  • Ethelda "Ethel" (Norberg) Sassenrath (C'42)
  • Homer Conzett (C'42)
  • David Gelzer (C'41, MDiv'43)

Award of Merit

Awarded to a graduate within 15 years of graduation for significant accomplishments in business or professional life. The award winner will have demonstrated a clear commitment to excellence in their careers, and through their careers have achieved visible public recognition, achievement, and leadership, which exemplify the University's Mission.

Previous Award Recipients

  • Sade (Pointer) Swedenhjelm (C'15)
  • Louis Dettorre (C'10)
  • Courtney Thompson (C'11)
  • Dominque A. Anthony (C'07)
  • Joshua Terrell (C'10, MBA'11)
  • Caroline (Zelent) Grunenwald (C'08)
  • Matthew Metelak (C'11)
  • Charity Edgar (C'07)
  • Daniel Calvert (C'01)
  • Thomas Rauen (C'05)
  • B'Ann (Bohnsack) Dittmar (MBA'00)
  • Aaron Williams (C'99)
  • Polly (Rademacher) Kadolph (C'91, MBA'05)
  • C. Richard Schwerdtfeger Jr. (C'86)
  • Paul Adams (C'83)
  • Mary Lou Baal (C'84, MBA'88)
  • Todd Helgeson (C'86)
  • James Riddick (C'91)
  • Saleem Ghubril (MDiv'91)

Professional Achievement Award

Awarded to any graduate after 15 years of graduation for significant contribution of achievement in his/her chosen professional field. To be considered for this award, the alumnus/alumna will have demonstrated a clear commitment to excellence in his/her career. This person will have achieved visible public recognition, achievement, and leadership, which reflect positively on the University's vision.

Previous Award Recipients

  • Thomas "Tom" Willoughby (C'72)
  • Charmain Jackman (C'95)
  • Torrance Richardson (C'92)
  • Barbara (Glovik) Rechterman (C'85)
  • Juris Terauds (C'61)
  • Thaddeus Foucher (C'78)
  • I. Richmond Nettey (C'82)
  • Rebecca (Bruns) Johnson (C'79)
  • Celina (Malloy) Peerman (C'92)
  • Lynn "Butch" Fuller (C'71)
  • Brett Bacon (C'69)
  • Robert Shafer (C'75, MBA'94)
  • Gary Olsen (C'70)
  • Marian (Sessler) Hoffman (C'55)
  • Carol (Spencer) Kuhle (C'68)
  • Kent Hatteberg (C'77)
  • Dale Brubaker (C'43)
  • Jane Hammond (C'50)
  • Susan Senft (C'75)
  • Mary (Usui) Toma (C'49)
  • Robert Van Iten (C'59)
  • Henry Hector III (C'61)
  • Graham Turnbull (C'56)
  • James Davis (C'60)
  • Thomas Rosenquist (C'64)
  • Fredric "Fritz" Hayes (C'58)
  • Ardyth (Weinbender) Diercks (C'76)
  • Colleen (Birdnow) Brown (C'79)
  • Donald Thomas (C'48)
  • Kirk Wolfinger (C'75)
  • Patricia (Wild) Franzen (C'68)
  • Marvin O'Hare (C'55)
  • Thomas Somerville (C'55)
  • Joseph Lawrence (C'32)
  • Colleen (Birdnow) Brown (C'79)
  • Donald Thomas (C'48)
  • Kirk Wolfinger (C'75)
  • Patricia "Pat" (Wild) Franzen (C'68)
  • Marvin "Marv" O'Hare (C'55)
  • Thomas Somerville (C'55)
  • Joseph Lawrence (C'32)

Service to Community Award

Awarded to an alumnus/alumna or friend of the University who has demonstrated a clear commitment to serving the community through notable volunteerism, an outstanding act of selflessness, or a pattern of service to humanitarian efforts or causes.

Previous Award Recipients

  • Mikelange "Mike" Olbel (C'08)
  • Heidi McGinness (MDiv'89)
  • UD Health Care Workers
  • Keith Kephart (C'66)
  • Judy Hay (C'68)
  • Lenis "Lenny" Weih (C'67)
  • Rick Wallace (C'81)
  • Carolyn Poplett (C'51)
  • Christopher Peterson (C'04)
  • Roy Buol (C'92)
  • Loretta Gratias-Bremer (C'62)
  • Lloyd Alamsha (C'56, MDiv'60)
  • Alan Spensley (C'55)
  • John "Rick" Carney (C'69)
  • Pauline (Tobiason) Antons (C'48)
  • Nancy Kringle (C'85, MBA'14)
  • Peggy (Snuttjer) Hudson (MAC'00)
  • Douglas Horstmann (C'75)
  • William Peck (C'60)
  • Harold Knutsen (C'65)
  • David Drake (C'51)
  • Robert Richard (C'72)
  • Henry Pillard (C'57)
  • Diane Nelson (C'78)
  • Ruth (Hermann) Clark (C'45)
  • Craig Thompson (C'75)
  • Margery (Peckham Deale) Dodge (C'41)
  • Barbara (Skaife) Busse (C'57)
  • Beverly (Anderson) Curtiss (C'76)
  • Betty Takes (C'79)
  • Wilton Sinning (C'36, BDiv'39)
  • Donald McAllister (C'50)
  • Paul Harmon (C'64)
  • Barbara (Skaife) Busse (C'57)
  • Beverly (Anderson) Curtiss (C'76)
  • Betty Takes (C'79)
  • Wilton Sinning (C'36, BDiv'39)
  • Donald McAllister (C'50)
  • Paul Harmon (C'64)

Veterans Award for Distinguished Service

Awarded to an alumnus or alumna veteran who has made a positive impact on their local, national, international or veteran community, the University, or through their military service. To be eligible, the nominee must be a person who served in the military and who received an Honorable Discharge. In general, includes someone that served as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the equivalent reserve component or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Science Services Administration or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. When submitting the nomination for this award, please reference the dates of service and rank of the nominee for this recognition.

Previous Award Recipients

  • Chief Petty Officer Leon "Les" Sonksen (C'52)
  • Corporal Craig Downing (C'49)
  • Captain Edward L. Hanke USAR (CE) (C'65)
  • Colonel Robert Wicklund (C'53)
  • Colonel Harry "Bucky" Peterson (C'68)
  • Sergeant Major Richard E. Goebel (C'82)
  • Colonel Earl Bufton, Jr. (C'63), posthumously
  • Chaplain (LTC) Donald Neely (C'57, MDiv'62)
  • Staff Sergeant Ronald Sagers (C'68), posthumously
  • Lieutenant Commander Roger Meyers (C'55), posthumously
  • First Lieutenant Michael Downey (C'66), posthumously
  • Sergeant Jeffrey B. Dodge (C'68), posthumously
  • Lieutenant Senior Grade Nickas Yiannias (C'47)
  • Colonel Mark Carlson (C'85)

Volunteer Recognition Award

Awarded to University of Dubuque alumni/ae or friend of the University for outstanding contributions to the University of Dubuque in a volunteer capacity

Previous Award Recipients

  • David Proudfoot (C'73) and Jan Lombardi (C'72)
  • Alvin "Al" Straatmeyer (C'54, BDiv'57)
  • Keith Parris (C'00)
  • Paul Clayton (C'68)
  • Royce (C'68) and Kathy (Haselton) (C'68) Farmer
  • Andrew Ward, Sr. (C'66)
  • Timothy Polley (C'08, MDiv'11)
  • Anderson Sainci (C'10, MAC'12)
  • Jane (Sumpter) Malone-George (C'51)
  • Anthony Lehmann (MBA'87)
  • Barbara (Weber) Blinks (C'64)
  • Margie (Lane) Schmidt (C'55)
  • Dan Frump (C'63)
  • Beverly (Anderson) Curtiss (C'76)
  • Ronald Cavanagh (C'76)
  • Charmion (Luense) Van Drie (C'49)
  • Gerhardt "Dutch" Van Drie (C'47)
  • William Fullarton (C'32)
  • Barbara (Kelly) Smeltzer (C'66)
  • John "Jack" Bachtell (C'53)
  • Bret Johannsen (C'50)
  • Robert Besch (C'40)
  • William Burnette (C'50)
  • Eldon "Bud" Loats (C'50)
  • Bruce Ferguson (C'53)
  • Eleanor (Behnke) Rafoth (C'37)
Alumni Awards Nomination Form

Seminary - Manning Award

Awarded since 1972, the Herbert E. Manning, Jr. Distinctive Service Awards recognize UDTS alumni/alumnae who demonstrate exceptional contributions in Christian ministry. Recipients model servant leadership, courageous convictions, a spirit of witness, and a faithful obedience as they contribute significantly to the Church universal, the Seminary, and all of God's people.

Criteria

The awards recognize the many gifts of one spirit, in a person who:

  • Graduated with a professional degree (MAR, MDiv, DMin) from UDTS
  • In ministry leaves a lasting legacy impacting the lives of others
  • Is in a ministry supportive of or identified with a church or a church body
  • Without concern for self is witnessing to others with a true sense of call in a specific time and place
  • Demonstrates an appreciative relationship with UDTS and/or the Alumni Association
  • Contributes to the nominee's denomination and/or the wider church
  • Qualifies for an award category, which currently include Parish Ministry and Specialized Ministry, including mission, ecumenism, community service, chaplaincy, communications, education, etc.
  • Has served seven years in the ministry; nominees need not be ordained

Previous Award Winners

  • 1972: Rev. Warren M. Hoffman (C'55, MT'58)
  • 1973: Dr. H. Gene Harbaugh (C'62)
  • 1974: Rev. Guy F. Rondell (C'56)
  • 1975: Dr. John B. Toay (MDiv'56)
  • 1976: Dr. Silas G. Kessler (C'32, HON'34)
  • 1977: Rev. John J. Munchoff (C'59, BDiv'60)
  • 1978: Dr. Coy C. Lee (MDiv'51)
  • 1979: Rev. Paul R. Skelley (C'65, MDiv'69)
  • 1980: Dr. George H. Pike (MDiv'57)
  • 1981: Dr. Reuben J. Tjaden (C'40, BDiv'42)
  • 1982: Dr. Donald E. Gowan (MDiv'57)
  • 1983: Dr. Clarence C. Richardson * (MDiv'38)
  • 1983: Dr. Robert N. Allen ** (C'42)
  • 1984: Rev. George W. Bishop * (C'48, MDiv'52)
  • 1984: Dr. Gerald J. Middents ** (MDiv'60)
  • 1986: Dr. Robert R. Boehlke ** (C'50, MDiv'53)
  • 1986: Dr. Richard W. Glasgow * (MDiv'70)
  • 1987: Dr. James A. Campbell * (MDiv'73)
  • 1987: Rev. H. Gene Straatmeyer ** (MDiv'59)
  • 1988: Dr. Frank M. Elliott ** (C'57)
  • 1988: Dr. Wanis A. Semaan ** (MDiv'61)
  • 1989: Rev. Howard N. Orcutt ** (C'30, BDiv'33)
  • 1989: Rev. George H. Swalve * (C'43, MDiv'46)
  • 1990: Rev. Kenneth H. McCullen * (C'60, BDiv'63)
  • 1990: Rev. Paul F. Soderquist ** (MDiv'80)
  • 1991: Rev. Henry P. Guinotte ** (MDiv'56)
  • 1991: Dr. William R. Klink * (MDiv'73)
  • 1992: Dr. Mearle L. Griffith ** (MDiv'79)
  • 1992: Dr. Murray L. Hanson * (MDiv'73, DMin'80)
  • 1993: Rev. Elizabeth H. Stilwell ** (MDiv'81)
  • 1993: Dr. Lloyd P. Terrell * (MDiv'83)
  • 1994: Rev. Charles E. Klink * (MDiv'78)
  • 1994: Rev. Barry M. Walker ** (MDiv'65)
  • 1995: Rev. Gwyneth E. Osuch * (MDiv'70)
  • 1996: Rev. Laury W. Larson * (MDiv'74)
  • 1997: Rev. Donald D. Patterson ** (C'78, MDiv'80)
  • 1997: Rev. John E. Sumwalt * (MDiv'78)
  • 1998: Rev. Philip A. Prasad ** (MDiv'61)
  • 1998: Rev. William E. Taylor * (MDiv'69)
  • 1999: Dr. Elmer M. Colyer ** (MDiv'85)
  • 1999: Dr. R. Steven Krueger * (MDiv'71, DMin'80)
  • 2000: Dr. Cecil Corbett ** (MDiv'62, HON'72)
  • 2000: Rev. George K. Tjaden * (C'41, MDiv'44)
  • 2001: Rev. Paul G. Moon ** (MDiv'62)
  • 2001: Rev. Mark E. Yurs * (MDiv'82)
  • 2002: Dr. Louis J. Prues ** (MDiv'75)
  • 2002: Rev. Cathy F. Young * (MDiv'89)
  • 2003: Rev. Durwoood Busse ** (C'52, MDiv'55)
  • 2003: Rev. Duane C. Queen * (MDiv'69)
  • 2004: Rev. Richard H. Skelley * (C'61, MDiv'63)
  • 2005: Rev. James L. Stewart * (MDiv'86)
  • 2006: Rev. Dee M. Anderson * (C'82, MDiv'85)
  • 2006: Rev. Teri Thomas ** (MDiv'77)
  • 2007: Rev. Steven E. Wirth (C'75, MDiv'78)
  • 2008: Rev. Saleem H. Ghubril (MDiv'91)
  • 2009: Rev. Heidi McGinnes ** (MDiv'89)
  • 2010: Rev. B.J. Weber ** (MDiv'78)
  • 2011: Rev. Richard J. Shaffer ** (MDiv'88, DMin'01)
  • 2012: Rev. Curtis E. Karns (MDiv'84)
  • 2013: Rev. Emerson E. Eggerich (MDiv'76)
  • 2018: Rev. E.James Verkest (MDiv'98)
  • 1990: Rev. Paul F. Soderquist ** (MDiv'80)
  • 1991: Rev. Henry P. Guinotte ** (MDiv'56)
  • 1991: Dr. William R. Klink * (MDiv'73)
  • 1992: Dr. Mearle L. Griffith ** (MDiv'79)
  • 1992: Dr. Murray L. Hanson * (MDiv'73, DMin'80)
  • 1993: Rev. Elizabeth H. Stilwell ** (MDiv'81)
  • 1993: Dr. Lloyd P. Terrell * (MDiv'83)
  • 1994: Rev. Charles E. Klink * (MDiv'78)
  • 1994: Rev. Barry M. Walker ** (MDiv'65)
  • 1995: Rev. Gwyneth E. Osuch * (MDiv'70)
  • 1996: Rev. Laury W. Larson * (MDiv'74)
  • 1997: Rev. Donald D. Patterson ** (C'78, MDiv'80)
  • 1997: Rev. John E. Sumwalt * (MDiv'78)
  • 1998: Rev. Philip A. Prasad ** (MDiv'61)
  • 1998: Rev. William E. Taylor * (MDiv'69)
  • 1999: Dr. Elmer M. Colyer ** (MDiv'85)
  • 1999: Dr. R. Steven Krueger * (MDiv'71, DMin'80)
  • 2000: Dr. Cecil Corbett ** (MDiv'62, HON'72)
  • 2000: Rev. George K. Tjaden * (C'41, MDiv'44)
  • 2001: Rev. Paul G. Moon ** (MDiv'62)
  • 2001: Rev. Mark E. Yurs * (MDiv'82)
  • 2002: Dr. Louis J. Prues ** (MDiv'75)
  • 2002: Rev. Cathy F. Young * (MDiv'89)
  • 2003: Rev. Durwoood Busse ** (C'52, MDiv'55)
  • 2003: Rev. Duane C. Queen * (MDiv'69
  • 2004: Rev. Richard H. Skelley * (C'61, MDiv'63)
  • 2005: Rev. James L. Stewart * (MDiv'86)
  • 2006: Rev. Dee M. Anderson * (C'82, MDiv'85)
  • 2006: Rev. Teri Thomas ** (MDiv'77)
  • 2007: Rev. Steven E. Wirth (C'75, MDiv'78)
  • 2008: Rev. Saleem H. Ghubril (MDiv'91)
  • 2009: Rev. Heidi McGinnes ** (MDiv'89)
  • 2010: Rev. B.J. Weber ** (MDiv'78)
  • 2011: Rev. Richard J. Shaffer ** (MDiv'88, DMin'01)
  • 2012: Rev. Curtis E. Karns (MDiv'84)
  • 2013: Rev. Emerson E. Eggerich (MDiv'76)
  • 2018: Rev. E. James Verkest (MDiv'98)
  • 2023: Rev. Dr. Paul C. Meyers (MDiv'95, DMin'08)

Athletic Awards

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

The University of Dubuque Alumni Association established the Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989 as a permanent place to honor those individuals who have promoted and served the University through its athletic programs.

The Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes former student-athletes, coaches, and supporters who have contributed to the success of the University of Dubuque.

Athletic Hall of Fame

The Athletic Hall of Fame has honored a select number of former athletes for their outstanding individual contributions to the University's athletic programs. As well, a prestigious award has been presented to a team of past athletes who together are recognized for their contributions in athletics.

CRITERIA FOR THE HALL OF FAME INDIVIDUAL AWARD INCLUDE:

  • Out of the University for at least seven years.
  • Lettered in a varsity sport at UD.
  • Made an outstanding contribution to the stature of the University's athletic program and to the ideals of community life at UD.
  • Shows continuous support of UD.

CRITERIA FOR THE HALL OF FAME TEAM AWARD INCLUDE:

  • Must have won a conference championship and/or were invited for NCAA post-season play.
  • Must be at least 10 years since that accomplishment.

Athletic Hall of Distinction

The Hall of Distinction is awarded to other supporters of UD's athletic programs and is designed to recognize those individuals who have given unselfishly to further the University's athletic programs in support of athletes.

CRITERIA FOR THE HALL OF DISTINCTION AWARD INCLUDE:

  • Made a significant contribution to UD as an administrator, member of the athletic support staff, coach, and/or booster alumnus/alumna.
  • Out of the University at least seven years.
  • Made an outstanding contribution to the stature of the University's athletic program and to the ideals of community life at UD.
  • Demonstrated significant lifelong contributions to society, community, or athletics through service and leadership.

Solomon Butler Character and Courage Award

In May 2014, the Solomon Butler Character and Courage Award was introduced by Dan Runkle, then director of intercollegiate athletics. The award developed from a discussion regarding alumni who have been nominated for the Athletic Hall of Fame, but who do not meet the full criteria to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. However, sometimes these alumni have wonderful character/courage traits accompanying their athletic history. This award recognizes those individuals.

Jerry Petitgoue Award

The Jerry Petitgoue Award is named after University of Dubuque alumnus Jerry Petitgoue (C'63). This award was established in 2012 to honor an alumnus coach who best represents Petitgoue's tenacity, strong work ethic, and care for athletes of any age, at any level.

Athletic Awards Nomination Form