Alumni Awards
Honoring the grit and determination of Huskies who are making the climb...
Every year, the Bloomsburg Alumni Association recognizes alumni at a celebration dinner for the following awards: Maroon and Gold Excellence (Young Alumnus) Award, William T. Derricott '66 Volunteer of the Year Award, Distinguished Service Award, and/or Honorary Alumnus Award.
Nominations info for the 2027 Awards coming soon!
2026 Alumni Award Recipients
2026 Alumni Awards Dinner Celebration is May 2! Registration info coming soon.
| Alumni Award | Recipient |
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| Maroon & Gold Excellence Award |
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| Distinguished Service Award |
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| William T. Derricott ’66 Volunteer of the Year Award |
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2026 Maroon & Gold Excellence Award
Nicholas Wilson '14
Corrections Counselor II, PA Department of Corrections
Born and raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Nicholas Wilson earned a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Bloomsburg University in 2014 and has been employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for over 10 years. Wilson began his career as a Corrections Officer, then was promoted to Corrections Counselor at SCI Mahanoy, and later promoted to his current position as Unit Manager at SCI Frackville. Wilson has also been a member of the Hostage Negotiation Team for 10 years and was recently appointed Team Leader.
Wilson has been a School Board Director of his alma mater, Wyoming Valley West for the past 3 years and currently serves as board Vice President. In that time he has assisted in turning a negative $1.1 million fund balance to a positive balance of over $20 million and has helped lead facility upgrades such as the construction of a state-of-the-art STEM Lab, new $2.4 million HVAC system, and a new turf athletic field for football, field hockey, and soccer without raising property taxes.
Always working towards investing back into the community and its students, Wilson also serves as a board member of the West Side Career and Technical Center and West Side Little League, and belongs to the Forty Fort Lions Club. He also coaches t-ball.
2026 Distinguished Service Award
Joseph Geiger '74
President CEO - First Nonprofit Foundation, Retired
Joe Geiger, as the past President and CEO of First Nonprofit Foundation, brought more than 55 years of experience in the fields of education, human resources, nonprofit and association management. Joe was an adjunct professor at Duquesne University Graduate School where he taught several classes in Leadership and Organizational Business Ethics for our military.
Prior to entering the nonprofit field, Joe served as a secondary education social studies teacher and as a consultant for Organizational Effectiveness Group in Princeton, NJ, and Campaign Associates in King of Prussia, PA. He has also served as the Executive Director of the Keystone State Head Injury Foundation, held various executive positions within the YMCA and was a consultant/researcher for the YMCA of the USA in Valley Forge, PA. He was hired executive director of PANO, the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations, in January 1995, during which time he consulted with the government of Japan to counsel on the value of the nonprofit sector and why government and business should act as valued partners. The consultation was funded by the Japanese Exchange Foundation Center for Global Partnerships.
In addition to working in the non-profit sector, Joe currently sits on the following: The Lincoln Institute the First Nonprofit Unemployment Benefits and the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
In the past, Joe served on the board for the Big 33 Scholarship Foundation, the Duquesne University Capital Region Advisory Board, and National Standards for Excellence Board, Governor’s Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, the Civil Justice Coalition, the Bloomsburg University of PA Alumni Board, and the Board of Directors for the National Head Injury Foundation, where he chaired the Ethics Committee. He has also served on the boards of C3 Publications, the American Trauma Society – PA Division, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital – OVR Project, Penn State University – Rehabilitation Department, the Harrisburg Area YMCA and the Oakmont V Homeowner’s Association Board, as its President. Geiger is also a Past President for the Lower Paxton Township Lion’s Club and served on the DELTA Communities Board. Additionally, he has served on the FNICs boards for 30 years, acting as its Chair for several. He served on the Service Academy Selection Committees for Senator Pat Toomey as well as Congressmen George Gekas, Tim Holden, and Charlie Dent.
Joe’s education includes a Bachelor of Science and master’s degree in Secondary Education at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. He graduated from Columbia University’s Graduate Business School for Not-for-Profit Management. Joe was certified by the American Society of Association Executives as a Certified Association Executive.
Joe has been inducted in the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations Emeritus Society and the Lancaster Catholic High School Athletic Wall of Honor. He received the Executive Director of the Year from Eastern University in 2007.
2026 Distinguished Service Award
Stacie Moore '92
VP People and Culture, ChartSpan Medical Technologies
Biography coming soon.
2026 William T. Derricott ’66 Volunteer of the Year Award
TBA
Biography coming soon.
Grimes Honorees
Through participation in alumni events, volunteerism and financial support of BU, we honor dedicated and loyal alumni with the recognition of Grimes Honoree, named for the late Richard E. Grimes '49, who missed only two Homecomings and not a single Alumni Day from 1949-1998.
Your loyalty to Bloomsburg goes a long way in supporting fellow Huskies! Thank you!
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Maroon and Gold Excellence Award (Young Alumnus Award)
Maroon and Gold Excellence Award recognizes alumni who have graduated at least two years prior, but within the past 15 years; have met one or more criteria for the Distinguished Service Award (above); and have demonstrated outstanding potential for further contributions. Candidate must have completed at least 24 credits at Bloomsburg University and their class must have graduated at least two years prior to being nominated.
- 2000 James E. Holland '78
- 2001 Susan M. Dallabrida '63 Lawrence J. Mussoline '79
- 2002 John C. Gross '81 Richard A. Diliberto '82 Eduardo A. Ramos '90
- 2003 Chesley A Moroz '81*, Sandra Serafin '79
- 2004 Henry B. Haitz, Ill '86
- 2005 Paul J. Clifford '96
- 2008 Gary Groenheim '91 2009 Ivonne Gutierrez Bucher '91
- 2010 Dr. Vincent Urick '01, Bonnie Adams '96
- 2011 Brian Kovatch '96
- 2012 Lynette Luckers '01
- 2013 Kristin Mock Austin '02, Michael Smith '01
- 2014 David J. Marcolla '00, Kristi Telschow '05
- 2015 Greg Bowden '01, Craig Evans '03
- 2016 Rachel Vazquez Troychock '03, Zachary Pearce '11
- 2017 Nazeer Curry '16, Gwen Wiscount '09
- 2018 Adrienne Mael '08
- 2019 Leeann M. Koch '10/'17 AuD
- 2020 Lamar Oglesby '07, Elizabeth Miller '17
- 2021 Kathleen Moneghan '10/'15M
- 2022 Salim Weldon '08
- 2023 Austin Edgette '18
- 2024 Jacob Kelley '16, Emily Kinkead '09, Kristen Wagner '15
- 2025 Saroya Royster '10
- 1985 Richard S. Benyo '68, Doug Hippenstiel '68
- 1986 Jane Elmes-Crahall '72, Robert E. Boose '68
- 1987 Eileen M. Albetson Chapman '67, Elzar Camper, Jr. '70
- 1988 A. William Kelly '71
- 1990 Sharon Gettel '78, Matti A. Prima '77, Mark S. Schweiker '75
- 1992 John H. Quigley '81
- 1993 Scott P. Righter '84
- 1994 Nancy Feher Edwards '70, 1995 David A. Williams '81
- 1997 Barbara Hudock '75, Allison D. Watts '80
- 1998 Jan Heller '77, Tim Holden '80
Distinguished Service Award
Distinguished Service Award recognizes alumni who have graduated at least 15 years prior, have had significant accomplishments in their profession, demonstrated outstanding service to Bloomsburg University/Alumni Association, and/or have made significant contributions to humanity. Candidate must have completed at least 24 credits at Bloomsburg University and their class must have graduated at least 15 years prior to being nominated. (Eligible Class Years 2007 or Earlier).
*Denotes deceased alumna/alumnus.
- 2000 Charles J. "Chuck" Daly '52*, Hugh M. Dempsey '70, Robert J. Gibble '68, John J. Trathen '68
- 2001 Glenn Lang '74, Maria Russoniello Lewis '75*, Timothy G. Wagner '74
- 2002 Barry F. Feudale '72
- 2003 John S. Mulka '66, Mark S. Schweiker '75
- 2004 Joanne M. Cashman '70, John B. Kwasnoski '67, Joseph A. Rado '63
- 2005 Edward G. Edwards '73, Doris Krzywicki Smith '56
- 2006 Douglas Hippenstiel '68
- 2008 Brenda Shaffer Conger '78
- 2009 Lt. Col. Jody Ocker '89, Cheri Rinehart '79
- 2010 Grace Coleman '86/'87, Kathryn Guyer Tuoni '82
- 2011 Richard Agretto '77, Donald A. Watts '37*, Beverly Bradley '71
- 2012 Kathleen Shanoski Mulligan '67/'69;Bette Anderson Grey '81
- 2013 Dr. Jon M. Andes '75, Thomas E. Storer '73
- 2014 Dr. Tracey Dechert '88, Christine Tegge Bloch '89
- 2015 John Chapin '85, Gary Williams '78
- 2016 Joseph Hilgar '75
- 2017 Aimee Metrick '98
- 2018 Martin Coyne '83, Elizabeth Swivel '84, LaRoy “Lee” Davis ‘67
- 2019 Kerri Donald-Sears '92
- 2020 Bill Bent '83, Paul Clifford '96
- 2021 Dennis Siegmann '68, Maddy Rodriguez '95/'98M
- 2022 Mr. Chet Snavely '70 and Lt. Col. Michael Kwasnoski '95
- 2023 Steven Messner '68/'70M and Wayne Whitaker Sr. '79/'95M
- 2024 Dr. Lynette Luckers '01
- 2025 Jennifer Inaba '06, Ph.D. and Dr. Elizabeth Welsh Robison '88M
- 1970 Grace Beck 1923/'40, Wesley E. Davies 1919*, Edward F. Schuyler 1924*
- 1971 Julia Gregg Brill 1910* Clinton B. Brill 1912*
- 1972 William Bitner Ill '56, John E. Lavelle '41*
- 1973 Boyd F. Buckingham '43*
- 1974 Curtis R. English '56*, Edwin M. Barton 1907*
- 1975 Earl A. Gehrig '37*
- 1976 Frank J. Golder '31,Emma Harrison Burrus 1916
- 1977 Clayton H. Hinkel '40*, Esther E. Dagnell Via '34*
- 1978 Donald T. McNelis '57, C. Stuart Edwards '41 *
- 1979 Jack L. Mertz '42*, William H. Selden '43
- 1980 J. Harrison Morson '56, Paul C. Foote '27
- 1981 Elizabeth H. Hubler '31* Millard C. Ludwig '48*,
- 1982 Eda Bessie Beilhartz Edwards '41*,
- 1983 James H. Sterner '25*, Thomas J. O'Toole '56 James B. Creasy '57*, Charles Fr. Hensley '33*
- 1984 Elizabeth R. Hensley '34*, Carl Stanitski '60, Frank Furgele '52,
- 1985 Conrad L. Stanitski '60,
- 1986 Lee R. Beaumont '43, Richard F. Lauz '52
- 1987 Sarah James Dymond '34*, Paul L. Conard '64
- 1988 Harriet Kocher '39, John W. Thomas '47
- 1989 William W. Hummel '47, Emory W. Rarig Jr. '51, Frank M. Taylor '43
- 1990 James J. Gallagher '64, Francis A. "Red" Garrity '28*, Jevita C. McCauley '54
- 1991 Sara Marie Dockey Edwards '44, Francis R. Johnson '50, Rod C. Kelchner '56
- 1992 Richard E. Grimes '49*, John E. Kosoloski Jr. '55, Arthur K. Wark '38*
- 1993 John Wool '56, A. Louise Campbell Kline '59, Ben C. Duke '53
- 1994 Eileen Albertson Chapman '67, Patricia Szakulun Novotney '67
- 1995 Phyllis B. Mundy '70, John S. Scrimgeour '53
- 1996 Mary Lou Fenstemaker, John '45 Richard R. Lloyd '62
- 1997 Mary Anne Majikas Klemkosky '59, Wayne Von Stetten '50
- 1998 Carol Ann McCracken Hontz '65, Daniel J. Tearpock '70
- 1999 James H. McCormick, Maryan McCormick
- 1948 John Gilbert Connor 1883*, Francis B. Haas*, Daniel W. Litwhiler 1838*
- 1949 Lindley H. Dennis 1899*, Ida Sitler 1905*
- 1950 Carrie Clark Myers 1905*, George E. Pfahler 1894*, William Boyd Sutliff 1891*
- 1951 Carroll D. Champlin 1906*, ldwal H. Edwards 1914*
- 1952 Florence Hess Cool 1888*, Mary A. Good 1897/1903*, Heister V. Hower 1881*, Harry 0. Mine 1888*
- 1953 Albert K. Aldinger 1904*, John E. Bakeless 1913*, Nellie M. Denison 1913*
- 1954 Bernard J. Kelley 1913*, Jesse Y. Shambach 1905*
- 1955 E. Joe Albertson 1901*, Howard C. Fetterolf 1910*, Miles I. Kilmer 1900 & 1901*
- 1956 Alfaretta Stark Wilner 1912*, Robert F. Wilner 1909*
- 1957 J. A. E. Rodriguez 1907*, Katherine Bakeless Nason 1918*, William D. Watkins 1908*
- 1959 Nan R. Jenkins 1917*, William C. LeVan 1904*, Henry J. Warman 1832*
- 1960 Verna E. Jones 1935, Dorothy L. Schmidt 1929 & 1934*
- 1961 Frank C. Laubach 1901*
- 1962 Fred. W. Diahl 1909*, Elna H. Nelson 1911*
- 1963 Kimber C. Kuster 1913*, Glenn A. Oman 1932*
- 1964 Harvey A. Andruss Sr.*, Howard F. Fenstemaker 1912*, Marguerite Kehr*
- 1965 H. Keffer Hartline 1920*
- 1966 Katherine Little Bakeless 1915 & 1918*, James V. DeRose '39*
- 1967 Ruth Hutton Ancker 1918
- 1968 J. Alfred Chiscon 1954, Elwood M. Wagner 1943*
- 1969 Vera Hemingway Housenick 1905*
*Denotes deceased alumna/alumnus
William T. Derricott Volunteer of the Year
William T. Derricott Volunteer of the Year recognizes alumni who, through their volunteer contribution of time and talent on behalf of the BU Alumni Association, supports the mission of Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg and exemplifies the esprit de corps of Bloomsburg to those around them.
- 2012 Nelson Swarts '63
- 2013 Lynne Homiak '83/'00 MBA
- 2014 Michael R. Gillespie '95
- 2015 Ted Hodgins '87
- 2016 Crystal Skotedis '03
- 2017 Marc Steckel '93
- 2018 Duane Greenly '72
- 2019 Juli Miller '92
- 2020 John Wetzel '98
- 2021 Kimberly T. Abney '09
- 2022 Mr. Thomas Mason '84. MBA
- 2023 Hakeem Thomas '17
- 2024 Kelsey Gallagher '12
- 2025 Jessica Harry '07M, Ed.D.
Honorary Alumni Award
Honorary Alumni Award recognizes special individuals who, while they did not attend or graduate from Bloomsburg, have played a significant role in the life of the university and by their generous and caring spirit have set an example for all BU alumni to follow. Candidate cannot have attended or graduated from Bloomsburg. Current Faculty/Staff members are not eligible for consideration.
- 1985 Walter S. Rygiel*
- 1986 Tony "The Baker" Cusatis*
- 1987 Patricia McDowell-John J. McDowell Ill*
- 1988 Patrick Haggerty* Howard McKinnon
- 1989 Elizabeth H. Levan*
- 1990 Kenneth Gross, Harry D. Jenkins*
- 1991 Jan Hutchinson
- 1992 John A. Hoch Sr.*
- 1993 Linda J. Long
- 1994 Rev. Robert Peiffer, John L. Walker
- 1995 Elbern H. "Ed" Alkire Robert D. "Doc" Warren
- 1997 Anthony M. laniero
- 1998 Jesse Bryan*, Marilyn Muehlhof
- 1999 James H. McCormick Maryan McCormick
- 2000 Hank Bailey, Andrew Pruden
- 2001 Thomas A. Davies, Danny Hale
- 2002 Janet L. English, Peg Ziegler Trathen
- 2003 Charles W. Chronister, Burton T. Reese
- 2004 Carole Derricott
- 2005 Robert Dunkelberger
- 2007 Jessica S. Kozloff, Stephen R. Kozloff
- 2008 Joseph J. Mowad
- 2009 H. Preston Herring*, Chang Shub Roh
- 2010 Roy Smith
- 2011 James Pomfret
- 2012 Irvin Wright
- 2013 Ed Rush
- 2015 James Cole
- 2016 Maria Cannon
- 2017 David Soltz & Roberta Soltz '17H
- 2021 Anthony Sylvester '21H
- 2022 The Honorable Mary Jane Bowes '22H
Saroya Royster '10
2025 Maroon and Gold Excellence Award Recipient
Jennifer Inaba '06, Ph.D.
2025 Distinguished Service Award Recipient
Elizabeth Robison '88M
2025 Distinguished Service Award Recipient
Jessica Harry '07M, Ed.D.
2025 William T. Derricott '66 Volunteer of the Year Award Recipient
