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Otterbein College Alumni Weekend 2009. Engaged in tradition . . . Filled with pride . . . committed to lifelong learning

2009 Alumni Award Winners

The following alumnus will be honored at the Alumni Awards Luncheon on Saturday, June 13, 2009.

Distinguished Alumnus Award

Dr. Paul B. Paulus '66
Dr. Paulus' research on prison housing conditions influenced the development of national and state standards for prisons. His research was cited in numerous court cases and news outlets, including the New York Times, and led to an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Dr. Paulus has also conducted research on group effectiveness, creativity and innovation for the past 20 years. This research has been cited in numerous papers and magazines such as the Wall Street Journal and INC Magazine.

Special Achievement Award

Dr. Thomas Dipko '58
Dr. Dipko was previously CEO of the National United Church Board for Homeland Ministries (1992-2000) and supervised publication of The New Century Hymnal (1995), a $4 million project that recovered all costs within three years. In this position he managed a staff of 120, and an annual budget of $14 million, supported by an endowment of $250+ million.

Peggy Ruhlin '79
In both 1996 and 1997, Ms. Ruhlin was named one of the "Best Financial Advisers" in the U.S. by Worth magazine. In 1988, she was selected "Financial Planner of the Year" by the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA).

Service to Otterbein Award

Wendell Foote '60 and posthumously, Judith Lovejoy Foote '58
This couple has given over the course of 44 years in the support of several College initiatives that place them with the most generous donors to Otterbein College. Such initiatives include the Science Building, endowment funds, Clements Recreation Center, Annual Fund, Operating Funds and The "O" Club Foundation.

Alumni Community Service Award

Dee Dee Krumm '69 and Dennis Heffner '69
These alumnus exemplify the spirit of Otterbein through their service to mankind in northern New Mexico. As a teacher and minister in the Espanola Valley, they both impact lives of students at the McCurdy School and in the lives of senior citizens in the Amigo del Valle. Both have been recognized in their area as "most influential high school teacher" and "outstanding person of the year" by the chamber.