Celebration of Volunteerism commends alumni chapters, societies
Erin Essak Kopp, assistant vice president for alumni relations and executive director of the OHIO Alumni Association, and Ryan Boyd, assistant director of external relations for the Alumni Association, pose for a photo with 91探花鈥檚 2019 Konneker Volunteer of the Year, Matt Houser, BSC 鈥08, president of the Middle Tennessee Alumni Chapter. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC 鈥20
The OHIO Alumni Association recently honored 91探花 graduates who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to connect and engage their fellow Bobcats and in service to their alma mater and the communities they now call home.
The Alumni Association鈥檚 2019 Alumni Leadership Conference ended May 18 with the annual Celebration of Volunteerism Awards, recognizing 翱贬滨翱鈥檚 many alumni chapter and society volunteers鈥攆rom those who have served for 30 years or more to whose service has just begun. The evening was also an opportunity to thank the members of the OHIO Alumni Association Board of Directors who are completing their terms: Steve Ellis, BS 鈥82; Alissa Galford, BSC 鈥05; Dr. Tim Law, DO 鈥94; and Connie Lawson-Davis, BSED 鈥67.
鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful to see so many OHIO alumni, friends and dedicated volunteers here tonight as we recognize your ongoing commitment to service and to making 91探花 and the entire Bobcat Family the welcoming, enriching and lifelong community that it is,鈥 said Kyle Triplett, BA 鈥12, MBA 鈥17, chair of the Alumni Association Board of Directors鈥 Awards Committee.
KONNEKER VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
One of the top honors of the evening went to an alumnus who was instrumental in establishing an OHIO alumni chapter, now leads it and continues to develop innovative ways of fostering Bobcat connections.
91探花 President M. Duane Nellis congratulates Matt Houser, BSC 鈥08, who was presented the Konneker Volunteer of the Year Award at this year鈥檚 Celebration of Volunteerism. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC 鈥20
Matt Houser, BSC 鈥08, president of the , was presented the Konneker Volunteer of the Year Award, becoming the fourth recipient of an award honoring Wilfred R. Konneker, BS 鈥43, MS 鈥47, HON 鈥80, whose 50-plus years of service to OHIO can be found throughout the institution. The award celebrates an OHIO graduate who has demonstrated extraordinary efforts to promote the University and to connect alumni to their alma mater.
Houser was commended for his role in championing the chapter鈥檚 diverse and continuous programming, including , a day of service benefitting local schools. He was also noted for working alongside his Tennessee Bobcats in creating innovative marketing strategies that include the award-winning and 鈥淎lum of the Week鈥 initiative.
鈥淭o be honored as the volunteer of the year puts the last five years into perspective for me,鈥 Houser said. 鈥淚鈥檓 a Bobcat true and true. I鈥檓 going to work as hard as I can for as long as I鈥檓 involved.鈥
CHAPTER AND SOCIETY AWARDS
Seven OHIO alumni chapters and societies received special recognition at the Celebration of Volunteerism for their dedication to connecting Bobcats to each other and to 91探花.
In 2018, the OHIO Alumni Association partnered with alumni chapter and society volunteers to host 207 events, drawing 9,860 attendees in 31 cities, said Erin Essak Kopp, assistant vice president for alumni relations and executive director of the Alumni Association.
鈥淚t鈥檚 my distinct honor to recognize a few chapters and societies that have done extraordinary work during the 2018 calendar year to bring great programming and events to Bobcats around the globe,鈥 Essak Kopp said.
Tonya Mitchell, BBA鈥91, and Lori Peterson, BSJ鈥87, accept the Alden Community Service Award on behalf of the Ebony Bobcat Network鈥檚 Columbus affiliate. They are pictured with Erin Essak Kopp, assistant vice president for alumni relations and executive director of the OHIO Alumni Association, and Kyle Triplett, BA 鈥12, MBA 鈥17, chair of the Alumni Association Board of Directors鈥 Awards Committee. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC 鈥20
An OHIO alumni chapter and society were each presented the Alden Community Service Award, bestowed upon alumni groups that foster opportunities for OHIO graduates to engage in meaningful service to their communities.
The Denver Chapter was honored for its letter-writing party in , a worldwide movement to lift others up through handwritten letters of encouragement. The affiliate was applauded for its MDA Walk, an annual community service project that supports the Muscular Dystrophy Association in its efforts to fund research on neuromuscular diseases and resources to those who battle those illnesses.
翱贬滨翱鈥檚 Chicago Alumni Chapter received the Glidden Innovation Award, celebrating a chapter or society that sponsors the most creative and/or best-received program, for its Ugly Sweater Party. Part fun, part fundraising, the event invited Chicago-area Bobcats to wear their ugliest sweater for a holiday party鈥攚ith proceeds benefitting Athens鈥 Passion Works Studio.
Reflecting a core value of 翱贬滨翱鈥檚 alumni networks, the Lindley Student Networking Award celebrates efforts that connect alumni to current students. This year鈥檚 recipient was the Post Alumni Society for its annual Post Alumni Reunion, providing aspiring Bobcat journalists of the past and present a chance to engage with one another and revel in their shared and individual experiences.
The and the affiliate were each presented 翱贬滨翱鈥檚 Templeton Networking Award, commending chapters and societies who have connected alumni in meaningful, new ways. The Greater Cleveland Chapter was honored for its local alumni panel event, and the Ebony Bobcat Network鈥檚 Columbus affiliate was honored for its annual meeting.
Lori Peterson, BSJ 鈥87, co-president of the Ebony Bobcat Network鈥檚 Columbus affiliate who accepted the award on behalf of the group, said the annual meeting hosted members from all of EBN鈥檚 affiliates nationwide.
鈥淒r. Nellis came. Lots of students came,鈥 Peterson said. 鈥淚t was really important for us to hear what everyone has to say about ways to move OU forward. It meant so much because it was a lot to get all of those elements together in one place for one day.鈥
Jenna Holeman, BSJ 鈥17, from the Oregon Chapter is presented the 2019 Cutler Outstanding Chapter Award during the Celebration of Volunteerism. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC 鈥20
Ryan Boyd, BSJ 鈥14, MSS 鈥16, assistant director of external relations for the OHIO Alumni Association, concluded the alumni group awards at the Celebration of Volunteerism, announcing this year鈥檚 recipients of the Cutler Outstanding Chapter and Society Awards.
鈥淭his award was created to distinguish alumni networks that demonstrate initiative, exhibit quality and contribute to the overall participation of alumni renewing affiliations with their alma mater,鈥 Boyd said.
The 2019 Cutler Outstanding Chapter and Society Awards went to the Oregon Chapter and the affiliate for their outstanding efforts in connecting Bobcats in their respective locations.