2012 CMU Alumni Award winners honored
Friday, November 2, 2012
Central Michigan University Communications
​Central Michigan University will recognize 10 alumni, one friend and one corporate partner at the 2012 Alumni Awards ceremony Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. in the Bovee University Center.
 
“The Alumni Awards are the most notable way for the CMU Alumni Association to recognize the best of our best,” said Marcie Otteman, executive director of alumni relations. We receive many significant nominations each year, and it is truly an honor to recognize the winners for their outstanding contributions.”
 
Honorees are nominated by peers, co-workers, faculty members or CMU staff. The alumni committee of the CMU National Board of Alumni Directors determines its slate of honorees.
 
“It is truly amazing to think of the caliber of alumni we have, and it is such an honor to meet these distinguished individuals each year,” said Cindy Jacobs, assistant director of alumni relations.
 
In addition to the awards banquet, the alumni will again be recognized during the Western Michigan University football game at CMU Nov. 3.
 
The 2012 alumni honorees are:
 
  • Distinguished Alumni Award: Robert C. Knapp, ’68, of California, author, historian, professor emeritus.
  • Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Kenneth Anderson, M.S.A. ’11, of Maryland, U.S. Air Force aerial port flight superintendent; and Basil Lyberg, ’99, of North Carolina, entrepreneur/philanthropist.
  • Alumni Commitment Award: Liz Campbell, ’77, of Midland and Gavin Smith, ’76 M.A. ’85, of Haslett, theater production volunteers and CCFA event organizers.
  • Chapter/Club Service Award: Dale Wernette, ’67, of Arizona, president of the Scottsdale, Ariz., CMU Alumni Chapter.
  • Community Recognition Award: Ronald Farrell, ’65 Ed.S. ’81, of Blanchard, supporter of scholarships and the education system as a retired school superintendent.
  • Corporate Partner Award: Rollin Gerstacker Foundation, more than 25 years of partnership with CMU.
  • Honorary Alumni Award: Robert J. Garner of Cadillac, longtime friend of CMU Public Broadcasting.
  • Additional alumni recognitions: Tasha Candela, ’05, Sarah Clark, ’99 M.S. ’05, Emily Doerr, ’07.