By Jimmeaha Mack, Staff Writer
Five notable alumni were awarded for their distinctive achievements at a banquet that concluded homecoming weekend at Susquehanna.
The annual Alumni Awards Banquet took place on Sunday, Oct. 7 at the Susquehanna Valley Country Club, giving recognition in five categories: Achievement, Leadership, Service, Service to Susquehanna and Outstanding Recent Alumnus.
The banquet attendees included faculty, students, alumni, award recipients past and present, as well as their families and Director of Alumni Relations Devin Rhoads who opened the event.
Each recipient was introduced by a person of their choosing; presenters varied from mothers and wives to other Susquehanna alumni. Recipients were also awarded a bronze medal featuring a Susquehannock Native American
woman, the namesakes of the Susquehanna River and according to the website, what gave this university its name.
According to the Susquehanna website, “[The Achievement Award] is given to alumni who have achieved distinction in their field as recognized by peers in their professional communities. Consideration is given to alumni whose accomplishments are celebrated widely and regarded as major contributions to their profession or to society.”
This year’s Achievement Award recipient is William “Bill” McCullough ’91, renowned producer, director and composer, who has won 11 Emmy’s to date. He is currently the vice president, creative director of NFL Media and was a part of WQSU Radio as a station manager, as well as being a football player during his time at Susquehanna.
“[The Leadership Award] is given to alumni who have shown outstanding leadership in their careers or communities. Nominees will have had a significant role in bringing about important change or contributing to outstanding results in their professional, civic, or volunteer activities,” the website continued.
The recipient, Abigail C. Myers ’01 LeGrow, who was sworn in as a Delaware Superior Court judge in 2016 and credits Susquehanna for her success in her career.
“I chose Susquehanna because of the small class sizes,” she said. “It forced me to come out of my shell and have to take a position and voice my views on things, because you can’t hide in those classes.”
“[The Service Award] is given to alumni who have demonstrated exceptional involvement in their communities or
in the Susquehanna University community,” the website continued. “Candidates should be unwavering in their dedication to making a difference through duration, scope and versatility of their volunteerism.”
J. Donald Steele ’73, was the recipient of the Service Award. He spent time while attending Susquehanna tutoring students at Selinsgrove Area High School, as well as preforming service in his fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa.
Service efforts still remain an essential part in Steele’s life as he has is associated and has become a member of many organizations such as the Early Learning Investment Commission, Evangelical Community Hospital, as well as others.
Steele also serves as chairman, president and CEO at The Northumberland National Bank.
The website continued that the Recent Outstanding Alumnus Award “is given to alumni graduating in the last decade who exemplify Susquehanna’s ideals of achievement, leadership and service in their lives and work.”
This award was given to, Ahmed Alkhateeb ’07, who spent his time at Susquehanna working alongside Professor
Matthew Persons, preforming research using advanced tools. Alkhateeb currently works with the CEO and senior scientific team at Palleon Pharmaceuticals, where he develops and executes both scientific and business strategies to pioneer a new path in immuneoncolgy and uses the experiences he gained during his undergraduate years at Susquehanna.
The Service to Susquehanna Award was presented to Margaret Anne Finley ’85 Flournoy, who served as president on
the Alumni Board from 2003 to 2007 and worked in admissions and with the Association of Women Students club during her time at Susquehanna.
“It was really energizing as an alum to continue to be involved with people who felt as passionate about the university as I did,” Flournoy said.
These award recipients were nominated by their peers and chosen by the members of the Alumni Executive Board.