Alumni Awards & Athletic Hall of Fame

Merit-loyalty award plaque

Each year, Millikin University proudly recognizes individuals who personify the university’s tradition as an environment for excellence. Through outstanding achievements and contributions, these individuals bring honor to Millikin University and its alumni. Established in 1951 with one award, the program has grown to five award categories to better recognize the accomplishments of alumni at different life stages.

 

These awards are presented annually during the fall Homecoming celebration. Recipients have the opportunity to accept their awards in front of family, friends and other alumni.

What are the awards?

  • Alumnus of the Year Award recognizes service to the university during the past year, as well as continuous service throughout the years. This award is the highest alumni honor presented by the university.
  • Merit-Loyalty Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated great loyalty and dedication to Millikin and distinguished themselves in their particular profession or field of endeavor.
  • Merit Award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in their profession or field of endeavor in such a way as to reflect credit upon themselves and Millikin. Outstanding community service is also a criterion for this award.
  • Loyalty Award recognizes long and faithful service to Millikin, the interests of the university, as well as outstanding community service.
  • Young Alumnus Award recognizes an alumnus/a 35 years of age or younger who has made notable achievements in a chosen field and/or given faithful service to Millikin.
  • Faculty/Staff Recognition Award recognizes a Millikin employee (past or present) who has demonstrated exceptional investment and care for the academic, professional and personal well-being of students and alumni.

How do I nominate someone for an Alumni Award?

Alumni, parents and other friends of the university are invited to nominate Millikin alumni for a variety of awards presented by the Alumni Association and the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee during annual Homecoming activities.

Know someone who fits the above descriptions? You’re encouraged to nominate him/her for a Millikin University Alumni Award:

Nominations for Alumni Award and Atheletic Hall of Fame recipients are accepted each year through April 1. Nominations remain active for three years and may be added to at any time.

Current active members of a university board are not eligible to receive an Alumni Award. They may be nominated once their service to the board is concluded.

How are recipients selected for an Alumni Award?

The selection committee consists of members of the Alumni Association board and Alumni and Development staff. Committee members will review nominations and make selections during their April Alumni Association board meeting. Recommendations are then passed along for approval by Millikin’s president and board of trustees.

What is the timeline for the Alumni Awards and Athletic Hall of Fame process?

Nominations are accepted throughout the year for both the Alumni Awards and the Athletic Hall of Fame.

  • April 1 – Nominations are due to the Alumni and Development Office each year.
  • May – Committees begin their review and selection process.
  • May-June – Final recommendations are passed for presidential and board of trustee approval.
  • June – Recipients are notified.
  • Aug. 1 – Recipients announced.
  • September or October – Alumni Awards Dinner during Homecoming Weekend.
  • September or October – Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Brunch during Homecoming Weekend.

    The Alumnus of the Year Award recognizes service to the university during the past year, as well as continuous service throughout the years. This award is the highest alumni honor presented by the university.

    Alumnus of the Year Award Recipients

    • 1951  -  Orval Diehl ’22
    • 1952  -  Andrew Dallstream ’15
    • 1953  -  R. Zink Sanders ’07
    • 1954  -  Arthur Wells ’35
    • 1955  -  Neva Welsh Gauger ’14
    • 1956  -  H. Ray Myers ’26
    • 1957  -  Victor Dewein ’26
    • 1958  -  William ’33 and Ruth Blair Hipsher ’30
    • 1959  -  J. Neil Arrington ’26
    • 1960  -  J. Edwin Griswold ’24
    • 1961  -  W. Lawrence Rotz ’20
    • 1962  -  Harold R. Sampson ’22
    • 1963  -  R. Wayne "Hank" Gill ’21
    • 1964  -  Charlotte Meyer ’31
    • 1965  -  William F. Hayes, Sr. ’20
    • 1966  -  James Dunning ’31
    • 1967  -  Eva Coberly Kirkland ’15
    • 1968  -  Ida Diller Record ’07
    • 1969  -  John C. Griswold ’23
    • 1970  -  William Requarth ’35
    • 1971  -  John ’31 and Ula Davis Leighty ’33
    • 1972  -  Eva Davis Casey ’10
    • 1972  -  Ina Wornick Mills ’09
    • 1973  -  Clarence R. Flint ’30
    • 1974  -  H. A. "Bunk" Douglas ’26
    • 1975  -  Robert W. Bartlett ’31
    • 1976  -  Herbert D. Ryman ’31
    • 1977  -  J. William Record ’38
    • 1978  -  Nola Treat ’07
    • 1979  -  Anonymous
    • 1980  -  Mabel Hays Cooper ’18 and Helen Hays Hepperlen ’28
    • 1981  -  Florence E. Birks ’26 and Jenna R. Birks ’22
    • 1982  -  Purvis and Roberta Morris Tabor ’36
    • 1983  -  George Musso ’33
    • 1984  -  Howard L Gravett ’33
    • 1985  -  Amherst F. Hardy ’32
    • 1986  -  Clarence "Red" Johnson ’50
    • 1987  -  Rosalia McCambridge Weck ’25
    • 1988  -  Fanny Powers Bassett ’27
    • 1989  -  James H. Henson ’58
    • 1990  -  Howard Nyberg ’49
    • 1991  -  Wayne Krows ’51
    • 1992  -  Emily Johnson Metzler ’29
    • 1993  -  Virginia Holben Rogers ’32
    • 1994  -  Joan Honicker Parker ’47
    • 1995  -  Robert C. Hanna ’50
    • 1996  -  William Eichenauer ’51
    • 1997  -  G. William Harner ’47
    • 1998  -  Larry D. Haab ’59
    • 1999  -  James E. Fitzgerald ’53 and Donna Riechman Fitzgerald ’54
    • 2000  -  Patricia Smith Perkinson ’45 and C.D. "Perk" Perkinson, D.H.L.
    • 2001  -  Paul Hung, ’56
    • 2002  -  George Irish ’68
    • 2003  -  Robert W.Smith ’62 and Lucy Lindsay Smith ’67
    • 2004  -  Bruce Nims ’72
    • 2005  -  Douglas Oberhelman ’75
    • 2006  -  John Adney ’72
    • 2007  -  Jeff Black ’75
    • 2008  -  Robert Moorehead ’46 and Charlotte Beesley Moorehead ’47
    • 2009  -  Lyn Gallion Houston ’59
    • 2010  -  David Roth ’63
    • 2011  -  Duane Avis and Joan Adams Avis, both ’53
    • 2012  -  Barbara Burgis Zuegel ’53 and Herb Zuegel ’52
    • 2013  -  Michael Waller ’63
    • 2014  -  Frank Tyrolt ’54
    • 2015  -  Elta Turner Cooke ’52
    • 2016  -  The late R. Michael Campbell ’67 and M. Susan Campbell ’68
    • 2017  -  Jack McCoy ’59 and Barbara Witzeman McCoy ’60
    • 2018  -  Gary Workman ’65
    • 2019  -  Don McIntyre ’52 and Nancy Todd McIntyre ’53
    • 2020  -  John Prange ’60 and Sue Logan Prange ’62
    • 2021  -  C. Thomas Harrington ’70
    • 2022  -  Dr. C. Kimm Hollis '72
    • 2023  -  David J. Rathje '58