2016 Alumni Award winners announced

The Alumni Association Board of Directors recently elected the 2016 alumni award winners, who will be honored at the Alumni Association’s annual Awards Reception and Dinner during Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Owensboro Convention Center.

Rev. Dr. Tom GriebOutstanding Alumnus

Rev. Dr. Thomas B. Grieb ’78
Tom is the senior pastor at Centenary United Methodist Church in Lexington, Ky., and is a nominee for bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. He is chairman of the Kentucky Wesleyan College Board of Trustees.


Donald StepnerAlumni Achievement Award

Donald L. Stepner ’63
Don is a practicing attorney in the Cincinnati area and a partner with Adams, Stepner, Woltermann & Dusing, PLLC, in Covington, Ky. He was recognized among the elite trial attorneys by his election to the American College of Trial Lawyers.


Katy HarrisonOutstanding Young Graduate

Katy Evans Harrison ’01
Katy has taught in the Owensboro Public Schools for 14 years. She recently completed ten years of service on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and was president of the association for two years. She is active in fundraising for the March of Dimes.


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Alumni Service Award

J. Richard ’57 and Nancy ’58 Svara Zimmerman
The Zimmermans represent the spirit of Kentucky Wesleyan through their time, travel and enthusiasm in sharing and celebrating their alma mater.


Matt 2Gus E. Paris Distinguished Service Award 

Matthew G. Ruark ’09
Matt is associate director of admissions. He served as assistant director of alumni relations from 2009 – 2011 and was director of alumni relations from 2011 – 2015. He coordinates the annual Future Business Leaders of America conference, which brings hundreds of high school students to campus each year, and he supports the Sophomore Experience Program as a volunteer to children with life-threatening illnesses at “Give Kids the World” in Florida.


Ben Abbott2016 Hall of Fame Inductee

Benjamin H. Abbott ’59
Ben is retired after 31 years with Chevron Oil Co., where he held marketing positions in the Southeast and Northwest. He served on the College’s Board of Trustees from 1977-1993 and as president of the Alumni Association in 1975-76. He was instrumental in starting the Wesleyan soccer program and has recruited many students over the years. He was named the Alumni Association’s Outstanding Alumnus in 1981.