 Rusty Nichols is congratulated by Dick Ristine |
NAWM Board of Directors President Dr. Tom Topper ’70 presided over the Chapel convocation, and read citations for three alumni who were honored with alumni awards of merit.
Dr. Russell "Rusty" Nichols ’63 earned the Clarence Jackson Career Service Award for his contributions to higher education over the last four decades. The one-time administrator at Hillsdale College was named Hanover College’s 14th president in 1986 and has led the private liberal arts college ever since.
"Once a well-kept secret on the banks of the Ohio River, Hanover’s reputation, enrollment, and endowment have increased monumentally under your leadership," said Topper. Under Nichols’ leadership, Hanover has established the Center of Free Inquiry dedicated to exploring topical issues through the lens of the liberal arts, while enrollment, faculty, and financial assets have all increased during his tenure.
William J. "Bill" Kaiser, Jr. ’87 was honored with the Fredrick J. Urbaska Civic Service Award for his contributions to his community of Jasper, Indiana. Kaiser has served as president of his local bar association; on the board of the Jasper Youth Football Program; and he is a trustee of the Precious Blood Catholic Church and School Foundation.
"The way you balance your commitments to family, church, vocation, and civic life serves as a model for all Wabash men," said Topper of Kaiser’s work in Jasper. "Your life is also true to the legacy of Fredrick J. Urbaska, for whom this award is named and who was equally committed to making his hometown a better place to live."
Thomas A. Hays ’55 was saluted by the NAWM with the Frank Misch Award, which honors an alumnus for his extraordinary contributions to Wabash College. Since 1998, Hays has served as the national chairman of Wabash’s unprecedented $132.5 million Campaign for Leadership, which recently topped the $122 million mark.
"Not only have you inspired, you have been a leader both in making generous contributions to the Campaign and asking others to commit of themselves so that the College can offer future generations of Wabash men an unprecedented liberal arts education," said Topper of Hays’ work on behalf of Wabash.
Charles "Fred" Miller ’76 earned the Alumni Admissions Fellow Award from the NAWM Board for his tireless efforts in referring young men to Wabash. Over the last three years, Miller has sent the Admissions Office more than 50 names, and already this year has referred 15 young men to Wabash.
 Honorary Alumni Mary Ann Salter and Andy Ford |
Salter is the widow of the late Wabash president Lewis S. Salter, the College’s 12th president whose tenure was cut short when he was diagnosed with cancer. Mrs. Salter first came to Wabash with her late husband in 1953 when Lewis taught physics, and later returned in 1978 when her husband was named the College’s president.
Said Topper, "You were an exceptionally gracious First Lady, working diligently on behalf of the College. You were an active leader in Wabash’s Sesquicentennial Celebration; worked with the Community Friends of International Students, understanding the difficulties many young men have adjusting to life in the United States; and you traveled with Lew on behalf of the Capital Campaign for Continued Independence and Excellence. You made Elston Homestead your home and welcomed the Wabash family by hosting luncheons, banquets, and football post-game celebrations."
 Five NAWM Board presidents share a laugh with Andy ford |
"Your audacity has inspired others to think differently about the way Wabash educates men," said Topper. "Under your leadership, Wabash has pioneered Immersion Learning courses that take our students directly to the source material they study; offered unprecedented research internships on and off campus; and most important has placed the College’s keen focus precisely on its students. For all that you have done for Wabash and especially its students, it makes perfect sense that today you become one of the guys."