The Alumni Advisory Board of Eastern University gives annual awards for Alumnus/na of the Year, Distinguished Young Alumnus/na of the Year, and The Lamplight Society. They are awarded during Homecoming and Family Weekend in October. Hall of Honor and the faculty and staff of Palmer Seminary recognize an annual Waymaker.
Alumnus/na of the Year Award
The Alumnus/a of the Year is nominated by their fellow alumni and are selected for the award based on the following criteria: (a) they have earned a degree from Eastern University; (b) they have been a graduate of the university for a minimum of 10 years; (c) they are capable and have made achievements in the career of their choice; (d) they have made contributions to their community; and (e) they continue to show interest in the university.
Submit a Alumnus/na of the Year Award Nomination
Alumna of the Year 2024: Anthea “Thea” Sholander Ramirez '06
Previous Award Winners
Recipients of the Alumnus/na of the Year Award
1961 John Ruth '56
1962 Ronald Schlosser '56, MRE '59
1963 Thomas Ritter '59
1964 C. Herbert Carey '59
1966 Gloria (Pierce) Marshall '60
1967 Norman R. DePuy '53, BD '56, DD '88
1968 Anthony Campolo '56, BD '60, THM '61
1969 Oscar Remick '54
1970 Arthur Reedie, Jr. '55
1971 Joseph Tatta '55
1972 Charles H. Blum '66
1973 Malva Quinlan '67
1976 Richard Rusbuldt Sr. '51
1978 F. Ardell '63 and Peg (Parker) Thomas '63
1979 Elizabeth (Eastman) Fetter '70
1980 Philip Jenks '71
1981 William A. Zulker '53, DMin '78
1982 Dorcas (Diaz) Shaner '58, MRE '61
1983 Stephen Heneise '70
1985 Ronald McGinnis '60
1986 Paul Bolster '66
1993 William Eberwein Sr. '68
1994 Edward Warner '58, MRE '60
Lorna (Bixby) Hansen '64
1996 David Bradstreet '76
1997 Bryan Stevenson '81
1998 Robert Plimpton '63
1999 F. Ardell '63 and Peg (Parker) Thomas '63
2001 Bettie Ann (Morse) Brigham '74
2003 Stanley Nodder '53
2004 Danny Cortes '83, MDiv '87
2005 W. Donald Gough '67
2006 Mel Bwint '83
2007 W. Douglass Willey '55
2008 John Pipe '58
2009 Douglas Mastriano '86
2010 Carol (Hill) Tatta '58
2011 Shane Claiborne '97
2012 Donna (Gillenardo) Duffy '83
2013 Emilio Marrero Jr. '82, MDiv '85
2014 Darla (Spence) Coffey '83
2015 Raymond Garcia '00, MDiv '07
2016 Stanley A. Murray '71, MDiv '79
2017 Howard Stevenson '80
2018 Justin Piff '02
2019 Barbara Burger '71
2020 James Mast ’09, MA ’16
2021 Khalil Rogers '01, MBA '12
2022 Ruth Gilson Fox '78 MA '84
2023 Tim Ewing '02
2024 Anthea “Thea” Sholander Ramirez '06
Distinguished Young Alumnus/ae Award
The award recognizes an alumnus/ae who has graduated from Eastern University within the past 10 years for significant contribution to church, vocation, community, and/or Eastern University. The Distinguished Young Alumni award honors a younger alum who embodies Christian values in their work and personal life and recognizes those who are outstanding leaders in their vocation and community, and shows promise of future professional growth. This award recognizes an alumnus/ae whose life faithfully exemplifies Christ and the mission of Eastern as demonstrated by acknowledged professional accomplishments, personal character, integrity, and a strong commitment to the Lord.
Submit a Distinguished Young Alumnus/ae Award Nomination
Distinguished Young Alumnus 2024: David Garlock '17
Previous Award Winners
Recipients of the Distinguished Young Alumnus/na Award
2013 David Walker '09
2014 Ian Snyder '04
2015 Rebecca Blake '06
2016 Thomas McGrady Jr. '10
2017 Brisa DeAngulo '07
2018 Lara (Wilson) Owlett '09, MEd '13
2019 Jonas Dorsett ‘16
2020 Cristina Gann Gomez '14, MS
2021 Anthony Ramos '14, MS
2022 Maggie MaDimbo, PhD ’13
2023: Gordon Zook, PhD ’15
2024: David Garlock '17
The Lamplight Society
The Lamplight Society was established in 2002 to commemorate Eastern University's 50th anniversary. The Society serves to honor those who have "shined the light" by making significant contributions to the life of Eastern University and have left an indelible print on the campus community.
These contributions might have been in academics, athletics, student life, religious life, the Alumni Association, or in community service.
The award honors alumni, faculty, staff, and administration and the contributions they made while they were at Eastern.
Submit a Lamplight Society Award Nomination
Lamplight 2024: Jared Bass '07 and Chloe Brown Bass '06
Previous Award Winners
Recipients of The Lamplight Society Award
2002 David Bradstreet '76
Bettie Ann (Morse) Brigham '74
Anthony Campolo '56, BD '60, THM '61
George Claghorn BD '44
Harold Howard
J. Wesley Ingles
Jean (Bartholomew) Kim '61
Elizabeth (Hulseman) Morgan '65
Joseph Tatta '55
Edward Warner '58, MRE '60
Betty Jane Webber
Amelia (Burgess) Yardbrough '61
William Zulker '53, DMin '78
2003 Ronald Schlosser '56, MRE '59
2004 John Ruth '56
Carol (Hill) Tatta '58
2007 Lee Allen
Wayne Bickford '90
Frederick Boehlke BD '52
2008 Caroline Cherry
Edward Kuhlmann
2009 Christopher Hall
Derek Ritchie '89, MBA '07
2010 Nancy (Scheuer) Hill '87, MA '01
Helen Loeb
2011 David Black
2012 Joseph Modica
Theodore Chamberlain
2013 Ronald Matthews
2014 Diana S.H. Bacci MBA '84
2015 Alberto Socci
2016 David T. Nicol '70
2017 Harry Gutelius
2018 Thomas Ridington '78, MA '81
2020 Theresa Noye
2021 Heather S. Norcini ’89
2022 Meggin Capers MS '06
2023 Paula (Whelan) Hedderick ’92
2024 Jared Bass '07 and Chloe Brown Bass '06
Palmer Alumnus/a Waymaker in Service and Ministry
Palmer Theological Seminary annually acknowledges an alumna/alumnus for their life of service and ministry reflecting the reign of God in the world. The honoree vitalizes a spirit of waymaking, of innovative pursuit, and of living out Palmer's motto – the whole gospel for the whole world through whole persons – in contextualized novelty.
If you would like to suggest an alumnus/a Palmer Waymaker honoree, feel free to email a suggestion and a brief rationale to PTSAlumniCare@eastern.edu.
Waymaker Alumna in Service and Ministry 2024: Bridgette M. Rice, MDiv '17
Previous Award Winners
Recipients of the Waymaker Alumna in Service and Ministry Award
2022: Ruth McFarland
2023: Chris Holland, MDiv ’12
2024: Bridgette M. Rice, MDiv '17