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Distinguished Alumni Awards

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Distinguished Alumni Award Distinctions

  • Lifetime Achievement: Alumnus whose life and accomplishments have earned the respect of their industry, profession, or community.
  • University Engagement: Alumnus with extraordinary achievement in their personal and professional endeavors, with special attention to their exceptional service to the University.
  • Community Service: Alumnus who has served their community in an exemplary way, sustaining a record of leadership and dedicated service.
  • Career Achievement: Alumnus with exceptional achievements in their professional endeavors, reflecting honor on the University and its alums.
  • Young Alumni: Alumni who graduated within the last 15 years and whose accomplishments set a standard for life-long excellence.
  • Appreciation Award for Faculty/Staff: Faculty and staff member honored for achievement in their professional or academic field and loyalty to the University.
  • Special Merit: Alumnus who has provided distinctive contributions to support the University, alumni, and the Drury family in the preceding year.

2026 Recipients

Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Donald Flesche ’56

A 1956 graduate of then Drury College, Dr. Donald Flesche devoted 35 years to Kalamazoo College, where he served not only as a professor but as a mentor, leader, and champion of community engagement. His influence extended well beyond the classroom as he encouraged generations of students to think deeply about citizenship, law, and public service. In recognition of his enduring impact, former students established the Donald C. Flesche Visiting Scholar Lecture Series, ensuring his legacy of intellectual curiosity and civic responsibility lives on.

Dr. Flesche’s service to the college was wide-reaching. He advised pre-law students, contributed to key academic and campus committees, and became a beloved campus figure as the “Voice of the Hornets,” announcing athletic events for 37 years. His leadership and dedication earned him multiple honors, including the Weimer K. Hicks Award, the Florence J. Lucasse Lectureship, and the Distinguished Service Award. Beyond campus, Dr. Flesche has been a pillar of the Kalamazoo community. For more than 50 years, he has volunteered with the USTA Boys’ 18 & 16 National Championships, where his outstanding service was recognized with the prestigious Green Jacket Award.

Dr. Donald Flesche’s lifelong commitment to education, integrity, and community engagement embodies the spirit and mission of Drury University. His remarkable legacy continues to inspire others, making him an exceptionally deserving recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Community Service Award – Dr. Mark Martin ’71

A 1971 graduate of then Drury College, Mark Martin has dedicated decades of service to Lee’s Summit through medicine, volunteerism, and civic leadership. A family physician with HCA, he practiced medicine in Lee’s Summit for 35 years and served two terms as president of the Kansas City Academy of Family Physicians and 1 year as the president of the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians. Through his involvement with the Lakewood Garden Club, Mark became engaged with the Gardens at Unity Village, where he volunteered for five years before becoming farm manager three years ago. He oversees the planting, harvesting, and operation of the five-acre farm that supplies local Saturday markets, with all unsold produce donated to local charities serving those in need.

A passionate advocate for veterans, Mark is a founder of Heartland Honor Flight and has served as the volunteer physician on 38 consecutive flights to Washington, D.C. In recognition of his extraordinary service, he was chosen to sit in the Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat at a Royals Game. Mark’s unwavering commitment to his community reflects his deep passion for community service and his readiness to help in any capacity.

Career Achievement Award – David Petiford ’82

A 1982 graduate of then Drury College, he served as President of Sigma Nu Fraternity and was a member of the golf team.
David began his career with IBM as a part-time employee while a student at Drury. Over the next 20 years, he rose through the ranks to serve at the highest levels of IBM senior management. His IBM roles included Director of the Wal-Mart account, Director of Retail Industry for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and his final role was General Manager, Worldwide Retail Industry. He later joined Microsoft, where he was General Manager for consulting services supporting the retail and healthcare industries. Before retiring in 2018, David served as President of Chronic Watch, a medical software firm specializing in exception-based patient engagement systems that enable physicians to monitor a patient’s progress remotely and adherence to prescribed treatment plans and medications. David has a wife, Patty, and two daughters who all reside in the Connecticut and New York City area.

Young Alumni Award – Samantha Williams ’15

A 2015 graduate of Drury University, Samantha Williams is an exceptionally dedicated leader who brings unwavering determination and heart to every commitment she undertakes. She currently works for Cencora, a global pharmaceutical distributor, where she serves as a Strategic Account Manager. Samantha made her initial connection to Cencora through her Senior Seminar presentation at Drury and celebrated her 10th anniversary with the company in July 2025. In her role, she consults with community oncology clinics across the nation to help develop profitable business strategies, with a focus on contract strategy and pull-through. Her book of business spans approximately 30 oncology clinics across seven states, representing nearly $1.5 billion. Samantha has translated both her education and professional expertise into meaningful community engagement and service.

Her leadership as President of the Junior League of Springfield (2023-2024), following her service as Management Director-Elect (2022-2023), reflects her deep commitment to strengthening the Springfield community.

Samantha’s compassion is equally evident in her personal service. As a longtime mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, she has continued to maintain a meaningful connection with her “Little Sister” well beyond her formal term of service. In addition, she leads and supports women through her role as President of the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club and furthers community well-being through her service on the Greene County Domestic Violence Shelter Board.

Known for her integrity, work ethic, and genuine care for others, Samantha consistently demonstrates what it means to lead with purpose.

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Award – Professor Bruce E. Moore, AIA, LEED AP

Professor Moore, a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Architecture, is one of the founding faculty members of the Hammons School of Architecture and is in his 40th year at Drury University.

He has coordinated and taught building systems, natural systems, and systems integration content and building design as the sole faculty in this area for the full duration of the program. Fully committed to the success of the school and its alums, he coordinated and designed the initial accreditation evidence display and content for the next three accreditation team visits, and he served as Associate Director of HSA for 17 years and Acting Director of the HSA for two years.

As a licensed architect in Missouri, he has an active practice as an acoustical design consultant, often with architects and firms teamed with his alums, with recognized projects published and awarded locally, regionally, and nationally.

Past Distinguished Award Winners

Lifetime Achievement

  • 2015 Ralph K. Manley ’49
  • 2016 Dr. Sue Carter Porges ‘66
  • 2017 Warren B. Davis ’59
  • 2018 James & Marilyn Bogle Buchholz ‘57/’62
  • 2020 Dr. Nathaniel Quinn, JR. ’80
  • 2021 Dr. Earl Hackett ’53
  • 2022 Sherry Brock Delo ’68, Chet Hunter ’22, James Silkenat ’69, Paul Stillwell ’66
  • 2024 Edwin “Cookie” Rice ’52/H’20, Wes Pratt ’73
  • 2025 Dr. Mark Adams ’75
  • 2026 Dr. Donald Flesche ’56

University Engagement

  • 1952 Dean James F. McKinley ’25
  • 1957 Helen Wiemer James ’29
  • 1957 Robert Cummings ’32
  • 1957 James Hartford Robertson ’36
  • 1958 Bert Goss ’28
  • 1958 Rev. Thomas Shipp ’41
  • 1959 Dr. George Melcher ’26
  • 1960 Margaret Johnson Bosworth ’45
  • 1960 Rev. Don Newby ’47
  • 1964 R. William Greer ’39
  • 1964 Connie Hjelmeng Johnson ’64
  • 1965 David Brand Woodruff ’38
  • 1966 Thornton Smith ’36
  • 1967 James Trig Brown ’46
  • 1968 William Collinson ’33
  • 1968 Edgar E. Martin ’33
  • 1968 David Weiser ’42
  • 1969 William C. Hayes ’41
  • 1971 Henry C. Duncan ’43
  • 1971 Marvin VanGilder ’48
  • 1972 Clarence R. Haflinger ’38
  • 1972 Robert Heimburger ’39
  • 1972 John B. Haseltine ’60
  • 1973 Elizabeth Grinstead Mallory ’31
  • 1974 Durward Hall ’30
  • 1974 John K. Hulston ’36
  • 1976 James Findlay ’52
  • 1978 Frank Ross ’25
  • 1978 Maurice Wilson ’28
  • 1978 F. Marian Bishop ’49
  • 1979 Flavius Freeman ’32
  • 1981 Dr. Oscar Fryer ’25
  • 1983 Allen V. Eikner ’49
  • 1984 Henry S. Schneider ’49
  • 1985 Ray Aton ’37
  • 1986 Hilbert Keisker ’26
  • 1987 Wallace Springer ’47
  • 1989 Helen Jones Stoneman ’28
  • 1989 Harold Stoneman ’33
  • 1990 Janet Steinmetz Trotter ’53
  • 1990 Marthe Drummond Close ’57
  • 1990 Barbara Cook Hall ’57
  • 1991 Thomas S. Gambill ’49
  • 1993 Sally Bodlovich Tharp ’90
  • 1995 Joel N. Gamel ’40
  • 1997 Patsy Witherspoon Poulos ’47
  • 1998 Don Akers ’48
  • 1999 William E. Pettit ’42
  • 2000 John R. Johnson ’55
  • 2001 Lyle D. Reed ’70
  • 2001 John D. Beuerlein ’76
  • 2008 Lewis T. “Johnny” Johnson
  • 2015 John William (Bill) Ricketts, MBA ’71
  • 2016 Steven D. Edwards ‘88
  • 2017 Gail “Gene” Summers ’63
  • 2018 Dr. Thomas Lynch ’65
  • 2020 Beth Pile ’80
  • 2024 Lynn Chipperfield ’73
  • 2025 Susan Kirby ’70

Outstanding Community Service

  • 1959 J. Charles Grosskreutz ’43
  • 1961 Leonard F. Bush ’31
  • 1961 Mary Jane Pool ’46
  • 1969 Virgil E. Fieker ’47
  • 1969 Walter H. Hoffman ’39
  • 1976 Charles H. Brown ’41
  • 1978 Helen Koch
  • 1980 Donald Ray Hodge ’61
  • 1981 John C. Herweg ’43
  • 1982 Leeson C. Meador
  • 1985 Donald C. Dailey
  • 1986 Mitsuo Aoki ’40
  • 1987 Rev. Robert H. Challinor ’47
  • 1988 Ben Parnell ’39
  • 1989 Betty Jane Rathbone Turner ’45
  • 1990 H. Wes Pratt ’73
  • 1991 Ralph Turner ’31
  • 1991 Mary Rose Sweeney ’41
  • 1992 Vernon K. Ausherman ’42
  • 1992 Eleanor Barstow White ’64, ’70 MEd
  • 1993 Charles Sheppard ’41
  • 1994 Dale Creach ’63
  • 1994 Ormal Creach
  • 1996 Hope E. Harris ’43, ’57 MEd
  • 1996 Rosemary Sullivan Bane ’46
  • 1997 Dr. James W. Clawson
  • 1998 Carolyn Lambert Teter ’73
  • 1999 Dorothy Gay Warren ’47
  • 1999 W. Warren Kallenbach ’49
  • 2001 Joan E. Gilmore ’51
  • 2002 Bill H. Cantrell ’42
  • 2003 Jean Short Coday ’52
  • 2003 David Clohessy ’78
  • 2004 John H. Simmons ’60
  • 2004 Drury Women’s Auxiliary 
  • 2005 Mona Tourlentes ’50
  • 2006 Marcia Williams Johnson ’70
  • 2006 Darline Dill
  • 2008 Lewis T. “Johnny” Johnson
  • 2009 Kirk Presley ’80
  • 2010 Patsy Shean Summers ’64
  • 2011 Rev. David L. Scott ’79
  • 2012 Carolyn B. Cotta ’60
  • 2013 Mark L. Walker ’79
  • 2014 Eunice Schmiechen Wallar ’63
  • 2015 Mary Faith Buresh Holzer ’68
  • 2016 Janet Steinmetz Trotter ‘53
  • 2017 Raymond E. Hackett ’80
  • 2018 Thomas W. Stevens ’59
  • 2020 Roye Cole ’03, ’04, ’11 MBA 
  • 2021 Robert Malone ’56
  • 2022 Dr. Kayce Morton ’99
  • 2024 Michael “Mike” White ’61
  • 2025 Virginia Darr M. Ed. ’74
  • 2026 Dr. Mark Martin ’71

Career Achievement

  • 1944 Edward L. Clark ’29
  • 1951 Jean Laubenheim Shephard ’12
  • 1951 Kenneth B. Elliott ’16
  • 1951 William A. Beiderlinden ’17
  • 1951 Lester E. Cox ’18
  • 1952 Marion Hines ’13
  • 1952 Erwin E. Nelson ’14
  • 1952 James E. Ruffin ’16
  • 1953 Faye Steinmetz ’10
  • 1953 Harry A. Shuder ’11
  • 1953 Arthur “Duff” Allen ’13
  • 1953 Edward Mason ’14
  • 1954 John T. White ’16
  • 1954 Louise Trimble Foster ’18
  • 1954 Paul W. Barrett ’24
  • 1954 Frank McDowell ’32
  • 1955 Dora Beggs Shields ’07
  • 1955 Joseph Williams ’11
  • 1955 Otto C. Egdorf ’20
  • 1955 Paul Leonard ’25
  • 1956 Warren White ’04
  • 1956 William Knight ’07
  • 1956 Otto Smith ’07
  • 1956 Reba Staggs ’34
  • 1957 Walter Brunkhorst ’17
  • 1957 David Robertson ’32
  • 1958 David McKnight ’28
  • 1959 Samuel Dawson ’21
  • 1959 Rollin Gillespie ’30
  • 1960 Walter Thompson ’28
  • 1960 Bob Barker ’47
  • 1961 Morris E. Garnsey ’28
  • 1961 Gordon A. Riley ’33
  • 1962 Bruce Joseph Brown ’15
  • 1962 Guy Raynor Hill ’27
  • 1962 Charles F. Robinson’36
  • 1962 Jeanne Meador Schwarz ’37
  • 1963 Allan S. Humphreys ’10
  • 1963 Lois Hall ’14
  • 1963 Dorsey D. Jones ’20
  • 1964 C. Robert Mitchell ’30
  • 1965 Virgil W. Adkisson ’25
  • 1966 Helen Malin Reuber ’29
  • 1967 Joseph King Vivion ’16
  • 1967 William D. Hackett ’36
  • 1968 Archie Russell ’39
  • 1968 Lois Jennings DeNauw ’50
  • 1970 Eugene Everett ’48
  • 1973 Adelaide Haseltine Jones ’24
  • 1973 Ralph K. Manley ’49, ’69 MBA
  • 1973 William C. Virdon ’53
  • 1973 Mary Ruth Cuddy ’59, ’62 MEd
  • 1974 Minnie Mae Prescott ’28
  • 1975 William Fred Schaeffer ’33
  • 1975 Betty Cole Dukert ’49
  • 1975 Rabbi Walter Jacob ’50
  • 1975 Ralph L. Andreano ’52
  • 1976 R. R. Watson ’25
  • 1976 Billie Crawford Davis ’61
  • 1977 J. York Johnson ’25
  • 1977 James Ewing ’38
  • 1977 Frank W. Clippinger ’48
  • 1978 F. Marion Bishop ’49
  • 1978 Delmar E. Caywood ’55
  • 1978 James R. Buchholz ’57
  • 1979 John Geyer ’29
  • 1979 Robert McKinnell ’49
  • 1979 Sandra Kennon Harrison ’61
  • 1980 Leonard C. Pronko ’47
  • 1980 Carol Junge Loomis ’51
  • 1980 Jeanine Smith ’63
  • 1980 Jerry Von Rohr ’66
  • 1981 John P. Edwards ’47
  • 1981 David Harrison ’59
  • 1981 Susanne Logan O’Neal ’53
  • 1982 Dorothy Van Dyke Leake ’14
  • 1982 John T. Carlson ’51
  • 1983 C. Truman Steele ’34
  • 1984 David E. Sweet ’55
  • 1986 Gary L. Matthews ’60
  • 1987 Sterling Newberry ’37
  • 1988 Jerry Poe ’53
  • 1988 Willard Graves, Jr. ’62
  • 1989 John W. Hammon ’64
  • 1990 Emily Haymes ’61
  • 1991 Richard C. Dunn ’58
  • 1991 Margaret H. Cooper ’66
  • 1992 Robert H. Hurlbutt ’47
  • 1992 Kenneth L. Fitts ’67
  • 1993 Donald C. Flesche ’56
  • 1993 J. Regan Thomas ’68
  • 1994 Charles E. Fritz ’42
  • 1994 Georgia Clark Sadler ’62
  • 1994 J. William Langston ’65
  • 1994 Fred S. Gorelick ’70
  • 1995 Andrew Jackson Wann ’40
  • 1996 Nancy Hasler Watsling ’46
  • 1996 Ellen Gray Massey ’60 MEd
  • 1997 Rev. Elton O. Smith ’50
  • 1997 Larry Wallis ’66
  • 1998 Thomas R. Whitlock ’76
  • 1999 Tom Kellogg ’58
  • 1999 Richard French ’59
  • 2000 James R. Silkenat ’69
  • 2001 John D. Burczak ’76
  • 2002 Michael Mallory ’77
  • 2003 Revs. John and Paula Bowman Sandford ’51/’53
  • 2003 Russell Robinson ’74
  • 2004 Dr. William R. Schiller ’58
  • 2005 Paul Stillwell ’66
  • 2007 Jerry L Redfern ’57
  • 2007 Dr. Carol Gevecker Graves ’62
  • 2008 Dorothy “Dottie” Dillard ’45
  • 2008 Lisa Farmer ’82
  • 2009 Judge H. Dean Whipple ’61
  • 2010 Walter George ’79
  • 2011 Dr. D. Greg Farwell ’90
  • 2012 Dr. Ilene K. Gipson ’66
  • 2013 Curtis L. Dinan ’89
  • 2014 Kim Harrison Hamm ’86
  • 2015 Dr. Heidi Prather Bradley ’87
  • 2016 Dr. Calla Wiemer ‘77
  • 2017 S. David Gohn ’64
  • 2018 Dwayne Holden ’64
  • 2020 Rex Bright ’62
  • 2021 Cmdr. Anna Santoro ’06
  • 2022 Mack Player ’63, Audrey Shillington ’82
  • 2024 Basil “Trent” Webb ’89, Jeffrey “Jeff” Bohannan ’84
  • 2025 Dr. Amanda Kilker Ombrello ’99
  • 2026 David Petiford ’82

Young Alumni

  • 1976 Marcia Mobley Mitchell ’67
  • 1977 Frances Presley Rice ’73
  • 1978 Mark Anschutz ’66
  • 1979 Glenn Richardson ’65
  • 1985 Sue Carter Porges ’66
  • 1985 Brian Gendece ’79
  • 1987 James Wesley Mitchell ’73, ’81 MEd
  • 1990 Susan West ’75
  • 1991 Wayne Schrier ’75
  • 1992 Susan Montgomery McCammon ’73
  • 1993 Michele Reeves Smith ’88
  • 1995 Charlotte C. Hardin ’85
  • 1997 James R. Dunlap ’84
  • 2001 Brian R. Reynolds ’83
  • 2004 Karen L. Williams ’85
  • 2005 Marci Bowling ’95
  • 2008 Michael Wehrenberg ’99
  • 2011 Amber B. Campbell ’98
  • 2012 Christopher B. Kennedy ’99
  • 2013 Sarah Lester Wilkerson ’01
  • 2014 Nathan Pettyjohn ’01
  • 2015 Cliff Johnson ’03
  • 2016 Dr. Adam McClellan ’05
  • 2017 Lauren Holtkamp ’03
  • 2018 Meg Myers Morgan ‘05
  • 2020 Dr. Laura Waters ’05, ’19 MBA 
  • 2021 Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis, ’05
  • 2022 Brandy Enver Harris ’08, Tiara Hughes ’15
  • 2024 Kelly Sitzman ’10
  • 2025 Hadeil Ali ’16
  • 2026 Samantha Williams ’15

Faculty/Staff Appreciation

  • 1986 Dr. Lora Bond, Biology
  • 1987 Dr. W. Curtis Strube, Business Administration
  • 1988 Dr. Willard Graves ’33, Mathematics
  • 1989 Dr. Jorge Padron, Chemistry
  • 1990 Dr. Charles Mercer, Accounting
  • 1991 Dr. Victor Agruso, Psychology
  • 1992 Dr. Ruth Bamberger, Political Science
  • 1993 Dr. Rabin Roy, Chemistry
  • 1994 Dr. Richard D. Killough, Philosophy and Religion
  • 1995 Dr. Richard Mears, Language and Literature
  • 1996 Dr. Tijuana Julian ’81, Music
  • 1997 Dr. Harriett Mears, Art
  • 1998 Dr. William D. Rohlf, Jr., Economics
  • 1999 Dr. Wayne Holmes, Literature
  • 2000 Dr. Joseph P. McAdoo, Communication
  • 2001 Dr. Peter D. Browning, Philosophy and Religion
  • 2002 Dr. Harvey Asher, History
  • 2003 Eltjen Flikkema, Ph.D., German, Literature, Director of Honors Program
  • 2004 Joyce A. Roberts, Special Instructor of Dance and Choreography/Dramatics Productions
  • 2005 Dr. Thomas E. Russo, Art
  • 2006 Dr. Barbara Wing, Biology
  • 2007 Dr. Donald Weber, Physics
  • 2008 Dr. Penny Clayton ’83 MBA, Accounting
  • 2009 Dudley Murphy, Design Arts
  • 2010 Alkis Tsolakis, Architecture
  • 2011 Dr. Lisa M. Esposito, Philosophy and Religion
  • 2015 Daniel Cashel, Director of Student-Athlete Enhancement
  • 2016 Traci Sooter, Architecture
  • 2017 Judi Grier Thompson ’61, University Advancement
  • 2018 Dr. Bruce Callen
  • 2020 Larry W. Hughes 
  • 2021 Dr. Regina Waters
  • 2022 Dr. Allin Sorenson
  • 2025 Dr. Tijuana Julian ’81
  • 2026 Professor Bruce E. Moore, AIA, LEED AP

Special Merit

  • 1992 Mercedes Freeman Smith ’89
  • 2000 William Dannevik ’66
  • 2001 Ronald Neville ’69
  • 2002 Betty Herndon Meyer ’40
  • 2022 Don and Ruth Martin ’56/’54
  • 2024 Rita Baron ’99

Special 2021 Covid-19 Response Recognition

  • Steven Bard ’19
  • Alison (Cronkhite) Brainaird ’00
  • Jennifer (Johnson) Cole ’98
  • Bruce Dart ’77
  • Steven D. Edwards ’88
  • Susan Mathern ’86 MBA ’89
  • Scott Moore ’17
  • Cora (Durbin) Scott ’90