Alumni / ae Awards
Contact: [email protected]
Every year United’s Alumni/ae Association recognizes outstanding alumni/ae who have made significant contributions to the Kingdom of God through effective ministry in the world. See below for a description of each award and a celebration of previous award recipients.
Do you know a United alumnus/a who is making an impact? Nominate him or her for recognition.
Effective Ministry Award
Beginning in 1976, United’s Alumni/ae Association began awarding the Effective Ministry Award to one of its alumni/ae. This award is given to a person who has developed outstanding new or unique ministries, who is engaged in a particular local expression of ministry and witness, or who serves in challenging areas of ministry defined by characteristics such as geographic region or cross-cultural appointments.
| Year | Name | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Keith Troy | '92 |
| 2019 | Brad Kalajainen | '99 |
| 2018 | Gary L. Olin | ’67 |
| 2018 | James C. Wilson II | '90 and '94 |
| 2017 | Wade Giffin | '91 |
| 2016 | Ernie Bringas | '66 |
| 2016 | Eugene Skipworth | '66 |
| 2015 | Michael Bowie | '07 |
| 2013 | Bernie Lieving | '63 |
| 2012 | Billie Ann Maynard | '77 |
| 2012 | James H. Maynard | '77 |
| 2011 | David F. Martin | '72 |
| 2010 | Cathy Johns | '84 |
| 2009 | Ronald A. Mowry | '72 |
| 2007 | Farrell Bruce Williams | '94 |
| 2007 | Kenneth W. Cummings | '93 |
| 2005 | Martha Matteson | '87 |
| 2005 | Patricia Green | '93 |
| 2003 | Dorsey E. Levell | '60 |
| 2001 | Dot Erickson | '67 |
| 2001 | Judith A. Stone Olin | ’67 and ’88 |
| 1986 | Joyce E. Fry | '71 |
| 1985 | James W. Grubb | '68 |
| 1984 | Harold R. Biederman | '63 |
| 1983 | Jaime Potter-Miller | '75 |
| 1982 | Charles J. Chipman | '57 |
| 1982 | Paul A. Lauchle | '76 |
| 1981 | Thomas L. Salsgiver | '75 |
| 1980 | James E. Flinchbaugh | '47 |
| 1979 | Keith A. Shepherd | '50 |
| 1978 | Alan S. Brown | '64 |
| 1978 | Robert S. Zimmerman | '58 |
| 1977 | Glenn M. Dietrich | '56 |
| 1977 | Richard Kohler | '55 |
| 1976 | Paul W. Frees | '38 |
Distinguished Alumnus/a Award
In the mid-1980s, another award was established, the Distinguished Alumnus/a Award. It honors those who have obtained denominational, ecumenical or professional distinction.
| Year | Name | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Cynthia Davis | ’05 |
| 2020 | Elvernice “Sonny” Davis | '05 |
| 2019 | James Bushfield | ’79 and ’92 |
| 2017 | Joseph Chandler | '13 |
| 2016 | David Schar | '66 |
| 2015 | Vashti McKenzie | '93 |
| 2014 | Ronald Patterson | '67 |
| 2013 | Martha Mullen | '02 |
| 2012 | Gregory G. M. Ingram | '91 |
| 2012 | Jessica Kendall Ingram | '94 |
| 2011 | G. Edwin Zeiders | '73 |
| 2010 | John K. Bergland | '55 |
| 2009 | Daniel Shearer | '41 |
| 2007 | Suzan Johnson Cook | '90 |
| 2003 | Floyd H. Flake | '95 |
| 2001 | Neil L. Irons | '63 |
| 1999 | George W. Bashore | '58 |
| 1998 | Vernon K. Robbins | '63 |
| 1996 | Shirley K. Cadle | '72 |
| 1995 | David H. Andrews | '54 |
| 1994 | Joseph H. Yeakel | ’52 |
| 1992 | Newell J. Wert | '50 |
| 1991 | Captolia D. Newbern | ’80 and ’82 |
| 1991 | Louis and Dorothee Ryterband, Distinguished Honorary Alumnus Award | |
| 1990 | Frederick D. Hill | '58 |
| 1989 | John A. Smith | '36 |
| 1989 | Virginia Smith (wife), Distinguished Honorary Alumna Award | |
| 1987 | Roy E. Bosserman | '45 |
| 1984 | Harry L. Eckels | '44 |
Outstanding D.Min. Alumnus/a Award
In 2012, another award was established, the Outstanding D.Min. Alumnus/a. It honors those who have developed an outstanding program or ministry outreach as a result of effective work in United’s Doctor of Ministry program.
| Year | Name | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Steve Cordle | '99 |
| 2019 | Sandra Coley | '14 |
| 2018 | Gregory Draper | ’16 |
| 2017 | Stacey Cole Wilson | '12 |
| 2015 | Steve Gill | '08 |
| 2014 | Mike Slaughter | '90 |
| 2013 | Stephen Swisher | ’94 and ’00 |
| 2013 | Teresa McIlwain | ’03 |
| 2012 | Allyson D. Nelson Abrams | '00 and '05 |
Lifetime Achievement Awards
To commemorate United’s 150th Anniversary, the seminary honored six alumni/ae with a Lifetime Achievement Award. These outstanding leaders have far-reaching ministries that have and are making an impact on the Church and the world.
| Year | Name | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Rev. Dr. Randy Clark | '13 |
| 2021 | Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale | '91 |
| 2021 | Rev. Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook | '90 |
| 2021 | Rev. Dr. Rudy Rasmus | '19 |
| 2021 | Rev. Dr. Michael Slaughter | '90 |
| 2021 | Rev. Dr. Frank Thomas | '91 |
Nominate Someone
Nominations for all three awards are accepted.
