{"id":17856,"date":"2026-01-20T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.virginiawestern.edu\/news\/?p=17856"},"modified":"2026-01-16T16:53:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T21:53:17","slug":"virginia-western-issues-call-for-nominations-for-2026-distinguished-alumni-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.virginiawestern.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/20\/virginia-western-issues-call-for-nominations-for-2026-distinguished-alumni-award\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia Western issues call for nominations for 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Virginia Western Educational Foundation and the Virginia Western Alumni Association are calling for nominations for the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award. The annual recipient or recipients will receive the award at a special Scholarship Awards Ceremony in the spring, and a plaque will be placed on the Virginia Western Distinguished Alumni Wall outside Whitman Theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes Virginia Western alumni who have achieved outstanding success and made a lasting impact on their community.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

For many, the road to lifetime achievement started at Virginia Western Community College. The Virginia Western Alumni Association established the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006 to recognize those alumni who have achieved outstanding success and made a lasting impact on their community. The prestigious award is intended to showcase the diversity of Virginia Western graduates and their range of influence on our region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior honorees<\/a>:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2025 – Dr. Michael Brennan
2024 – Yolonda L. Weaver, D.D.S. ’94
2023 – Dr. Brenda L. Hale ’89 and Joe Gaither ’77
2022 – Elvir Berbic ’06 and Jason Peters
2021 – Mary Catherine (Kate) Lawrence ’06
2020 – Tony Pearman ’10
2019 – Deborah L. Petrine ’74
2018 – Elizabeth Testerman ’06
2017 – Dr. Carol Swain ’78
2016 – Mary B. Loritsch Ed.D., R.T. (R) ’74 and Michael A. Crawley
2015 – Deborah A. Yancey ’97 and ’98
2014 – Chief Craig S. Harris ’00 & J. David Wine ’73
2013 – Cheryl Cunningham ’86
2012 – Anne Hogan ’76
2011 – Carolyn Webster ’81
2010 – Russell H. Ellis ’80
2009 – Shirl D. Lamanca ’75 and Dennis R. Cronk ’72
2008 – Donna L. Mitchell ’81
2007 – Dr. Kent A. Murphy and Charlotte C. Tyson ’84
2006 – John B. Williamson, III ’75<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anne Hogan (’76) serves as chairwoman of the Alumni Association. The Association fosters a mutually beneficial relationship and interaction between the College, its alumni, and the community, connecting with the College community to recognize and foster the diverse talents and successes of Virginia Western graduates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distinguished Alumni Eligibility requirements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be eligible for nomination, the candidate must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n