2009 Recipients

Dr. Paul D. Paulus '66 (2009)

A leading researcher on group processes and a pioneer in the field of group effectiveness, creativity and innovation, Dr. Paulus is world-renown for his work in group behavior and environmental psychology. In addition to his achievements in social psychology, Dr. Paulus has graciously and generously invested time and energy in collaborating with and mentoring others.

• Emigrated to the U.S. from the Netherlands at the age of 13.
• Earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Iowa.
• Serves as Chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at Arlington and Dean of the College of Science.
• Researches, publishes and lectures on group creativity in psychology and business.
• Led breakthrough research on prison crowding that significantly impacted corrections standards and design.
• Cited in numerous court cases and news outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Inc. Magazine, and appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
• Married the former Laurie Elwell '67 in 1967, with whom he has two children and four grandchildren.

Dr. Thomas Dipko '58 (2009)

As a minister, teacher, author, lecturer and advocate, Dr. Dipko has been lauded for his divine and diverse contributions. His life of ministry and service has run the gamut from being a small-town youth minister to working in interfaith relations to leading the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries to helping memorialize the abolition of slavery.

• Graduated magna cum laude from United Theological Seminary in Dayton and from the Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches at the University of Geneva, Switzerland; served as an international intern in the Social Action Office of the Landeskirche of Rhineland-Westphalia; and earned a Ph.D. in Ecumenical Theology from Boston University.
• Served local congregations in Ohio, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania and on the boards of directors of three state ecumenical councils.
• Selected by the United Church of Christ to author the first draft of numerous services and write more than 90 pages of historical documentation and 500-plus explanatory footnotes for the denomination's eight-year liturgy project, the Book of Worship.
• Founded SHARE, an anti-drug and heroin rehabilitation program in Lowell, Mass., as well as participated in numerous community campaigns ranging from prison reform to suicide prevention.
• Lectures widely and is the author of many articles, book chapters, and entries in encyclopedias.
• Married to Sandra Faust Dipko and is the father of two and grandfather of one.

Ms. Peggy Ruhlin, '79 (2009)

A wealth management advisor, Ms. Ruhlin is a nationally recognized expert and one of the first women to become prominent in her field. She is a principal of Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc., one of the nation's largest independent wealth management firms, where she also mentors other financial planners. She served as both chair and president of the International Association for Financial Planning (IAFP), and was instrumental in its pivotal merger with the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

• Received her bachelor's degree in business administration as one of the first graduates of Otterbein's Continuing Studies program.
• Named "Financial Planner of the Year" by the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors.
• Listed as one of the "Best Financial Advisors in the U.S." by Worth Magazine for six consecutive years.
• Quoted in publications including USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Money, Fortune and Forbes.
• Inducted into the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges' Hall of Excellence.
• Is a trustee of Otterbein College and chair of its Investment Committee, and a trustee of the Foundation for Financial Planning and chair of its Finance and Investment Committee
• Mother to Megan and grandmother to Connor.

Dr. Wendell Foote '60 and (posthumously) Judith Lovejoy Foote '58 (2009)

Despite the long distance from their home in Oregon, the couple maintained friendships with their fraternity brothers and sorority sisters, and gave benevolently to various college funds. Their generous support of endowment funds, the Annual Fund, Operating Funds, The "O" Club Foundation, Clements Recreation Center and the Science Building have put them in the Guardian's Circle along with the most generous donors to the College. Sadly, Judy Lovejoy Foote passed away of a brain tumor. She was, as all who knew her will attest, one of the nicest people on the planet. Her legacy lives on through her children and grandchildren and her and her husband's generosity to Otterbein College. Now retired, Wendell Foote enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, woodcarving, oil painting and overseeing a 100-acre cattle farm.

• Wendell served in the Korean War for four years as a Navy surgical technician.
• Wendell founded Oregon-based Specialty Polymers, Inc., a manufacturer of polymers for industrial coatings, adhesives, inks and paints. He also co-founded Roo Products, Inc., an adhesives manufacturer, and Matrix Development Company, Inc.
• Wendell and Judith met at an Otterbein dance mixer and married when Judith graduated.
• Judith enjoyed a long career as an elementary school teacher and was known as a favorite teacher among students and colleagues alike.
• They moved to Oregon because of a non-compete clause, and it is a location Wendell fell in love with after a weekend there in the Navy.
• Judith and Wendell have two children, Lauren and David, and many grandchildren.
• With an understanding that the two most important things someone can give is their time and their money, the Footes have been able to do both despite incredible obstacles in terms of their health and where they live.

Dr. Dennis and Mrs. Dee Dee Krumm Heffner '69 (2009)

A minister and a teacher devoted to a life of service, Dr. and Mrs. Heffner heeded the call to missionary work in the Espanola Valley of New Mexico some 34 years ago. In the years since, they've blessed the lives of countless neighbors, community members, students and senior citizens through the sacrificial giving of their time and talents.

• Met in high school at church camp on the Otterbein campus and attended Otterbein together.
• Earned his M.Div. from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, and a D.Min. from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago; earned her master's degrees from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and St. John's College in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
• Helped develop Amigos del Valle, "Friends of the Valley," serving over 200 senior citizens and helping them stay in their homes as long as possible.
• Dedicated to helping at-risk kids, inspiring, teaching and supporting a culturally and economically diverse student body, 98 percent of whom go onto secondary education.
• Serve as home missionaries for the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church serving in New Mexico.
• Recognized in their community as "Outstanding Person of the Year" and "Most Influential High School Teacher."
• Married in 1970 and have three children and four grandsons.

Nancy Nikiforow (2009)

Nancy has worked tirelessly to raise and manage over $10 million for the College to the benefit of students, faculty and staff. Through programs, events, workshops, mission trips, service projects and curriculum development, Nancy worked diligently to serve the Otterbein community, including the at-risk, underserved and oft-overlooked; and she did so with effortless grace, a spirit of excellence and the utmost propriety.

• Graduated summa cum laude from Cleveland State University with a bachelor's degree in social work and Spanish.
• Worked as a nurse's aide and translator in Indiana, and a family aide program supervisor in West Virginia.
• Was the assistant director of admissions for Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio; coordinator for The Ohio State University's College of Social Work; grant writer for Capital University; and an associate director for the Friends of the Homeless. She also worked at Otterbein as the director of grants and special projects.
• While at Otterbein, she wrote grant proposals to government, corporations and foundations, including four top-ranked federal awards; oversaw proposal writing, budget management and reporting; identified and researched funding sources; cultivated and stewarded donors; and successfully completed three challenge initiatives.
• Was a principal creator for many initiatives that became permanent fixtures on campus, including the Center for Community Engagement, the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Clements Recreation Center.
• Currently working with the I KNOW I CAN organization.