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Distinguished Service to Society Awardees

The Distinguished Service to Society Award has been presented annually since 1953 to alumni who demonstrate the mission of the College through excellence in their field of service—in society, in the marketplace, as a professional, or in some extraordinary leadership role.

Read full nomination criteria

Nominate an alumnus/a for this award


Year

Award Recipient

2023

Chris ’75 and Carlene Ellis Ellerman ’77
Together provide Christlike care to the most vulnerable in their community

2020

Philip Yancey M.A. ’72
Best-selling Christian author and speaker

2019

Dr. JoAnn Harris-Bowlsbey ’53
International authority in career development and counseling

2018

Dr. H. Wilbert Norton Jr. ’63
Journalist and international media education administrator

2017

Dr. Nathan O. Hatch '68
President of Wake Forest and nationally recognized academic leader

2016

Robert ’72 and Patricia Carlson Lane ’72, R.N. ’69
Dedicated to modeling Christ in order to see all peoples on earth be blessed

2015

Rear Adm. R. Timothy Ziemer ’68, USN (Ret.)
Nationally recognized strategist and director of operations in government and nonprofit sectors


Wheaton reinforced the idea that we are here to learn but also to serve, not to pursue some lofty position. We as believers have an opportunity to roll up our sleeves and work in the trenches.

— Rear Adm. R. Timothy Ziemer ’68, USN (Ret.)
Read more in Wheaton magazine.



2014

Dr. William Lane Craig ’71
Internationally known Christian philosopher, theologian, and apologist
View the Alumni Symposium

2013

Dr. S. Douglas Birdsall ’75
Leader in field of Christian Missions, Ministry
View award ceremony

2012

Dr. William C. Wood '62
Medical Doctor, internationally recognized surgeon, writer and lecturer in the field of oncology
View award ceremony

2011

Reverend Colleen Koppert Holby '55
Ministry and Care for At-Risk Kids
Watch award video

2010

Dr. Wayne "Coach" Gordon '75
Urban Ministry/Community Development
Watch award video

2009

Greg '62, M.A. '68 and Sally Coltman Livingstone '62
Missionaries, Recruiters, Missions Team Coach/Trainers
Watch the award video

2008

Akiko Oshiro Minato, M.A. '60
Professor, Speaker, Author, College President

2007

Dr. Arthur Ammann '58
Medical Doctor, HIV/AIDS Research Pioneer
Watch award video

2006

Elizabeth Fletcher Isais '46
Journalist, Missionary

2005

Dr. Jack Swanson '49
Coach, Counselor, Principal, Superintendent, Missionary

2004

Dr. Harold Adolph '54
Missionary, Medical Doctor, Author

Mrs. Bonnie Jo Adelsman Adolph '55
Teacher, Administrator, Mother


I would hope to be remembered as someone who tried to follow God's direction through his entire life, someone who God helped to do many things that weren’t humanly possible, because He is a God of the impossible.

—Dr. Harold Adolph '54
Missionary, Medical Doctor, Author



2003

Ms. Luci Deck Shaw '53
Poet, Essayist, Teacher

Dr. Richard Longenecker '53, M.A. '56
Theologian, Teacher

2002

Mrs. Lisa Brosious Beamer '91
Businesswoman, Wife, Mother

Mr. Todd Beamer '91 (deceased)
Businessman, Husband, Father

Dr. Louis L. Carter, Jr. '61
Missionary, Surgeon, Teacher

2001

Miss Ada Lum '50, M.A. '52
Missionary, Teacher

Rev. Burton Smith '51 and Audrey Erickson Smith '51
Missionaries, Ministry to the Poor

2000

Dr. Taylor McKenzie '54
Navajo Indian Leader, Medical Doctor

1999

Miss Jane McNally '39, M.A. '44
Missionary, Writer

Senator Dan Coats '65 and Marcia Crawford Coats '66
U.S. Congressman, Counselor

1998

Dr. John W. Nelson '63 and Anita Johnsen Nelson BA '64
Conductor

Charles Hogren '58
Lawyer, Advocate for the Poor

1997

Mr. Ted W. Ward '51 and Mrs. Margaret Hockett Ward '52
Educators

1996

Dr. Howard Hendricks '46
Educator, Theologian

Dr. Burwell "Pat" M. Kennedy '48
Missionary

1995

Rev. George Kelsey '52, M.A. '55 and Mrs. Martha Nystedt Kelsey '55
Linguists, Missionaries

Dr. Robert P. Evans '39 and Mrs. Jeanette Gruner Evans '40
Missionaries

1994

Miss Virginia A. Deter '46
Missionary

Rev. Dr. Bryant Kirkland '35
Pastor

1993

Dr. Kenneth N. Hansen '41, LLD '66
Businessman

Dr. Richard B. Strom '44, M.A. '48
Missionary

Mrs. Donna Young Strom '46
Missionary

1992

Dr. Josh McDowell '62
Apologist, Author, Speaker

Dr. J. Frank Cassel '38
Scholar, Scientist, Communicator

Mr. Charles D. Holsinger '49, M.A. '53
Missionary

Mrs. Betty Hermansen Holsinger '49
Missionary

1991

Dr. Paul B. Long '50
Missionary, Professor

Dr. Abe C. Van Der Puy '41, DD '65
Missionary, Broadcaster, Author

Miss Lorraine Waite '53
Missionary Nurse

1990

Dr. John D. Frame BS '38, BA '38
Physician, Missionary

Dr. Orley R. Herron, Jr. '55
Educator, College President

1989

Dr. Donald Hoke '41, M.A. '44, DD '59
Missionary, Pastor

Mrs. Martha Cowan Hoke '45
Missionary

Dr. Torrey M. Johnson '30, DD '45
Minister, Evangelist

Rev. Dale Oxley '50, M.A. '51
Missionary

Mrs. Betty Swartz Oxley '47
Missionary

Dr. Robert G. Rayburn '35
Pastor, College and Seminary President

1988

Dr. Henry Wilbur Aulie '41
Missionary, Bible Translator

Mr. Robert D. Foster '43
Businessman

Dr. George Kollmar '38
Physician, Missionary

1987

Mr. Donald A. Kruse '52
United States Foreign Service Officer

Dr. Mildred L. Larson '47
Translator, Administrator

Mrs. Sarah J. Buller Mattson '37
Missionary

Dr. J. Stratton Shufelt '34
Song Leader, Gospel Soloist

1986



Rev. Henry W. Coray '26
Missionary, Pastor, Author

Dr. Harold Lindsell '38
Author, Editor, Professor

Dr. H. Wilburt Norton '36
College Administrator, Missionary

1985



Dr. Donald R. Johnson '48
Professor

Dr. Burt E. Long '40
Missionary

Mrs. Ruth Hollander Long '45
Missionary

1984

Dr. Robert A. Cook '34
College President, Author

1983



Mr. Robert C. Blaschke '49
Missionary

Mrs. Adrienne Andrews Leslie '56
Teacher

Dr. William H. Leslie '54, MDiv '61
Inner City Pastor

1982



Mr. Julius B. Poppinga '50
Attorney

1981



Dr. Richard C. Halverson '39, LLD '58
Pastor, Author, Counselor, Senate Chaplain

Dr. John F. Walvoord '31, DD '60
Seminary President, Author

Dr. Larry E. Ward '49
Relief Organization Founder, President

1980



Miss Gertrude E. Kellogg '44
Missionary, Translator

Dr. Roy W. Lowrie '52
Christian School Administrator, Executive

1979



Dr. Willard M. Aldrich '31
Bible College Founder and President

1978



Dr. Violet E. Bergquist '39
College Professor

Rev. Grover C. Willcox '44, BD '46
Inner-City Pastor

1977



Rev. David M. Howard '49, M.A. '52
Missionary, Missions Director

Dr. Kenneth N. Taylor '38, LLD '65
Author, Publisher

1976



Miss Ruth Hege '30
Missionary, Author, Speaker

Dr. O. Grant Whipple '34
Christian Camping, Youth Work

1975



Mr. Charles Hess '25
Missionary, Bible Translator

1974



Mrs. Dorothy Horton Galde '34
College Professor

Dr. and Mrs. John Elsen '42
Physician, Counselor

1973



Dr. Eleanor Soltau '38
Missionary, Physician, Administrator

Dr. Paul W. Gast '52
Scientist

1972



Dr. Donald E. McDowell '46
Surgeon, Missionary

Dr. Elois R. Field '45
Nurse, Teacher, Administrator

1971



Dr. Paul B. Stam '44
Industrial Research Executive

1969



Mr. Norris A. Aldeen '38
Corporation President

1968



Mr. and Mrs. Lyndon R. Hess '31
Missionaries

1967



Dr. David H. Paynter '44
Education Administrator

1966



Dr. Titus M. Johnson '28
Medical Missionary

1965



Dr. Samuel H. Moffett '38
Leader in the field of Christian Missions

Dr. Elizabeth Jaderquist Paddon '26
Leader in the field of Christian Missions

1964



Dr. Lawrence H. Andreson '35
Leader in Church, Youth, and Medical Work

1963



Mrs. Elizabeth Howard Elliot '48
Missionary, Author

1962



Dr. and Mrs. Howard F. Moffett '39
Medical Missionaries, Evangelists

1961



Dr. Carl F. H. Henry '38, M.A. '41 LITTD '68
Theologian, Journalist

1960



Dr. Everett D. Sugarbaker '31
Physician, Author

1959



Dr. Paul E. Adolph '23
Physician, Missionary, Author

1958



Dr. Ruth Kraft Strohschien '27
Pediatrician

1957



Dr. Billy Graham '43
Evangelist

1956



Dr. Stephen W. Paine '30
College President

1955



Dr. J. Laurence Kulp '42
Scientist

1954



Mr. Howell G. Evans '22
Business Executive

1953



Dr. John R. Brobeck '36
Physician, Professor, Administrator

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