For more information about accommodations, reservations, or sponsorship, please reach
out to Kevin Berry at
304-293-4731 or kbberry@mail.wvu.edu.
The Academy of Distinguished Alumni honors West Virginia University graduates who have attained national or international distinction in their profession or discipline. The award has been established by the West Virginia University Alumni Association in cooperation with the University’s 14 schools and colleges.
Since 1988, this prestigious award has been bestowed on nearly 100 West Virginia University alumni, including Jerry West, Katherine Johnson, David Selby, Dr. Nancy Nielsen, Rod “Hot Rod” Hundley, Sam Huff and Gen. (Ret.) Robert H. Foglesong.
2023 Inductees
Learn about the 2023 ADA Inductees
How are inductees selected?
Inductees are nominated by the general membership of the Alumni Association or their respective schools or colleges. Information on the honorees is permanently displayed in The Erickson Alumni Center . To be considered for this prestigious recognition, nominees must hold a degree from West Virginia University; he/she should be recognized in his/her profession at the national or international level; and he/she cannot be present WVU, WVU Alumni Association, or WVU Foundation, Inc. employees. (However, this would not necessarily exclude members of the Board of Governors, Foundation Board, etc.).
WVU Alumni Association membership/support, WVU support, WVUFoundation, Inc. support or monetary support to any of these three are not limiting factors for nomination.
How can I nominate an alumnus/a?
Anyone can submit a nomination for this award by completing the
online form. Nominations for the 2025 Academy of Distinguished Alumni should
be submitted by August 31, 2024. Nominations can be submitted at any time throughout
the year for consideration the following year. Inductees are selected annually
in the Fall for recognition in a Spring ceremony.
Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis. Nominations received after the above
deadline will be rolled into the following year’s nomination cycle.
Academy Inductees
-
2023
Alma Angotti
Dr. Carolyn Bailey Lewis -
2020
Karen Evans
Dr. John Spiker
Douglas Van Scoy
Rear Adm. Glenn E. Whisler -
2019
Barbara Sayre Casey
Nancy Davenport
Fred Tattersall
Maj. Gen. Richard W. Thomas -
2018
J. Keith Bowers
Michael Flowers
Albert Lewis
Oliver Luck
Alan Zuccari -
2017
Dr. Linda Carson
Dr. George Fahey
Katherine Johnson
William Bayless -
2016
Jerome Black
Robert Corsi, Jr.
Dr. William Neal -
2015
Judith Hayes
Thomas Menighan
Rustin Moore
James Valenti -
2014
Vicente Anido, Jr.
Gopala Krishna
Bernadette M. Melnyk
Joseph P. Steranka -
2013
Kyung Won (K.W.) Lee
Joel G. Newman
Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard -
2012
Don Brodie
Chuck Howley
Robert McNabb -
2011
Al Zamil Family
Benjamin M. Statler
Kimberly A. Weaver -
2010
George Bennett
Addison Fischer
Don Knotts -
2009
Nancy Nielsen
Gregory Babe
Scott Widmeyer -
2008
General Bantz J. John Craddock
B. Thomas Hutchinson -
2007
Patrice A. Harris
Peter J. Kalis -
2006
Frank Cerminara
Thomas L. Harrison
Marshall S. Miller -
2005
James J. Caveney
Rodney C. "Hot Rod" Hundley
Earl G. Ken Kendrick, Jr.
Verl O. Purdy -
2004
Edward O. Buckbee
Charles H. Haden II
Pamela Maphis Larrick
Robert L. Reynolds -
2003
Michael Ammar
Jennie C. Hunter-Cevera
Rodney K. Thorn -
2002
Joseph Simpson Farland
Stuart M. Robbins
Ivan R. Schwab
Loretta M. Ucelli -
2001
A. Bray Cary
Raymond G. Gillette, Jr.
Diana J. Mason -
2000
W. Robert Grafton
Kenneth R. Wykle
Alfred F. Ware -
1999
Charles I. Homan
Michele V. McNeill
Winston L. Shelton
David H. Whiston -
1998
Robert H. Foglesong
Kathy Quattrone
Chris Sarandon
Terry L. Wimmer -
1997
W. Marston Becker
Raymond J. Lane
Cassandra L. Smith -
1996
Charles S. Mahan
J. Davitt McAteer
Jayne Anne Phillips
Jack Ward Thomas -
1995
Larry J. Agiro
Robert L. DeProspero
James J. Fagan
Kathleen M. Hawk
Frances Lopinksy Horn -
1994
Jay A. Chattaway
Kenneth D. Gray
H. Leo Mehl
Fred A. Schaus -
1993
Stephen Ailes
Curtis H. Barnette
C. Howard Hardesty
Larry Schwab
Thomas C. Spelsberg -
1992
Stephen P. Coonts
George J. Esper
Richard T. Feller
Lowell T. Harmison
Vivien Perrine Woofter -
1991
General Earl E. Anderson
David Charles Fogarty
William Leonhart
Charles M. Vest
Jerry West -
1990
George B. Berry
Emily R. Morey-Holton
Maj. Gen. Thomas Ferguson
Robert Sam Huff
James D. McComas -
1989
Dorothy J. Dotson
Glen H. Hiner
Paul A. Miller
Louise McNeill Pease
David Selby -
1988
Joseph E. Antonini
Albert E. Freeman
Robert H. Quenon
William E. Swales