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2009 Alumni Association Awards

Honorary Alumni 
Dean Dunham and Betty Dunham

 

Dr. Dean and Betty Dunham were nominated for their overall loyalty and support of the College. Dean and Richard Harriman began the fine arts program that is now the nationally acclaimed Harriman-Jewell Series. Dean also taught at William Jewell for 41 years, serving as chair of the English Department for 24 years and as the first Oxbridge Senior Tutor. Betty has been involved with the Music Department since 1969 in various capacities and has received honors for her leadership and musicianship. She was an adjunct piano teacher for 12 years, faculty advisor of Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity and founder and director of the Lydia Lovan Community School of Music on campus. She still actively serves as an accompanist.


  

Young Distinguished Alumni Service Award 
Darin Lee '97 and Nicole Helin Rumsey '01

 

Darin Lee was nominated for his work with the men of Phi Gamma Delta, and especially his work on the committee that designed and built the Phi Gamma Delta house. A certified public accountant, Darin has shared his expertise and time as an 11-year member of the Phi Gamma Delta Graduate Board. He has helped the chapter with financial management and the redesign of its pledge education program. 

Nicole Rumsey was nominated for her work as Chapter Advisor for Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity for three years. Her guidance and direction have come at a pivotal time in the living environment for Greek women. On behalf of Zeta Tau Alpha, Nicole has been involved in the planning process of Dianne C. Shumaker Hall, the new home for sorority women, and has helped Zeta Tau Alpha women transition into their new home.


  
Distinguished Alumni Service Award 
Kit Truex Mair '77 and Walt Holt '82


 

Kit Truex Mair has demonstrated her loyalty and service to William Jewell by her continuous Board of Governors involvement since 1997, recently completing her term as Immediate Past President. She also served on the Board of Governors from 1979-1982. She has provided great leadership during her service to this group as well as to the President’s Advisory Council.


Walt Holt is an avid supporter of Cardinal athletics and a longtime Cardinal Club member. He attends most basketball and football games and is a foster parent in the basketball program. Walt has been consistently involved in the Homecoming golf tournament to benefit Cardinal athletics. He also has provided significant service in working alongside Chris Leaver ’94 to transition the Lambda Chi Alpha Alumni Golf Tournament into a fundraiser for an endowed scholarship.

 


 
John F. Truex Lifetime Award
Richard Harriman '53
 



Richard Harriman’s ties to William Jewell go back to 1858, the year his great grandfather graduated from Jewell. He has served the College continuously since 1962, currently serving as artistic director of the Harriman-Jewell Series, which he co-founded with Dr. Dean Dunham. Several of today’s award recipients, like students and friends from many Jewell generations, cited Richard as one of their favorite people at Jewell, describing him as a great friend, mentor and quiet leader. And for the past 44 years, Richard has influenced many undergraduates in his role as Alumni Advisor of Lambda Chi Alpha.


  
Jewell Humanitarian Award
Carl Hunker '40
 



Carl Hunker has been a consistent and humble giver throughout his long career as an international missionary. Carl began pastoring rural churches in Missouri and Kansas as a Jewell student, spending most of his career serving in China and the Philippines as a pastor, professor and seminary president. Carl retired from Taiwan at age 70—that was 23 years ago—and has continued his volunteer work in Chinese churches in mid-America. At the age of 93, he currently serves as co-pastor of Emmanuel Chinese Baptist Church in Overland Park.