Alumni Service Award
The Alumni Service Award is given to an individual who demonstrates a dedication to West Nottingham Academy and honors that dedication by selflessly serving the school in an extraordinary manner.
Alumni Service Award nominees are coordinated by the External Affairs Office, and the honoree is determined by a vote of prior award recipients.
To nominate someone whom you feel qualifies for the above stated criteria, e-mail your nomination to Gayle Hurd, Development Office Manager.
Ross B. Cameron, Jr.
Class of 1961
Inaugural Recipient
Alumni Service Award
2001
Ross B. Cameron, Jr. '61 has provided leadership on the Board of Trustees since 1972, and became an Emeritus member in 1998. He has raised the Board's sights by emphasizing the need for long-range planning, a quality classroom experience, and financial stability. Ross has been extraordinarily generous in supporting the Academy's priorities, creating an endowment for faculty enrichment, and being instrumental in each building project during Ross' Trusteeship. His son Scott, a member of the Class of 1985, was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1999, and his daughter, Kendall, was elected to the Board in 2005.
George G. Heiney II
Class of 1963
Inaugural Recipient
Alumni Service Award
2001
George G. Heiney II '63 has been a part of West Nottingham Academy since the late 1950s, when he entered the Academy's Junior School. He has been part of the school ever since, joining the Board of Trustees in 1983 and elected its president in 1985. As president for more than 20 years, a tenure far exceeding those of most boarding schools, his leadership has guided the Academy to its current position. He and his wife, Betty, demonstrated their ongoing commitment to West Nottingham by enrolling their children in the school: Andrew ’97, Claire ’02, and Brett ’04.
Joan L. Kistler
Class of 1970
Alumni Service Award
2002
Joan L. Kistler has infused energy and enthusiasm into West Nottingham Academy’s alumni activities for over three decades. Best known for organizing major all-school reunions with classmate Dorri Zommick Brooke, Joan’s efforts have extended well beyond outreach and event planning. A trustee from 1985 – 1991, she rejoined the Board in 1997, and has been an active member since then. In addition to her committee work and her outspoken support of planned giving opportunities, she has coordinated a series of Trustee/Faculty retreats that have helped define the Academy’s direction while improving communication and understanding. The all-school reunion she organized in 1985 is often seen as a defining event in the Academy’s relationship with its graduates.
Weston Hawley Lopez
(1913-2008)
Class of 1930
Alumni Service Award
2003
Living on a farm within walking distance of West Nottingham Academy, the Hawley family chose the school for their three girls because of its excellent teachers, small classes, good discipline, and great school spirit. The influence of J. Paul and Gertrude Slaybaugh, and their zeal for life and learning, has remained an inspiration to Weston throughout her lifetime. In 1975, she became the first woman elected Trustee of West Nottingham Academy, and through that association nurtured those same qualities on campus for twenty years.
In her tenure as a Trustee, Weston was involved in formulating and carrying out plans for the Academy’s future, and was a valuable connection to the alumni of the Slaybaugh era. She was an active participant in decisions, and provided insight and sensitivity to the Board proceedings. Even after her Trusteeship, Weston has remained helpful as a Trustee Emeritus, meeting frequently to stay in touch with the school’s progress and constantly offering her valuable historical perspective. Her enduring legacy is her undying excitement for the school and the experience it offers students. “I feel like I’ve never left,” she said.
Charles H. Slaybaugh
Class of 1965
Alumni Service Award
2005
Chip Slaybaugh’s involvement in West Nottingham Academy has been a lifelong enterprise, beginning with his family relationship to the legendary Head of School, J. Paul Slaybaugh, and culminating with his Trusteeship. A 1965 graduate, Chip served on the school’s administration as Admission Assistant and Director of Development from 1975 to 1982. Years later, he and his wife, Carol, enrolled their daughter, Jessica ’98, and became involved in founding the West Nottingham Academy Parents’ Association. Chip elevated to the role of Secretary, and was instrumental in organizing the Association’s first Auction. His commitment and achievements were eye-catching, and he was elected Trustee in 2001.
Chip served as Annual Fund chair for several years, and during his tenure on the Board of Trustees (2001-2007) served on the Finance Committee, as Secretary of the Board and, later, chair of its Development Committee. Chip was a strong advocate of long-range planning and the cultivation of relationships for the future. Chip’s family heritage and his personal commitment remind us of West Nottingham’s history as well as the living, personal relationship between the school and its alumni.
Ralph E. Dusty Miller
Class of 1959
Alumni Service Award - 2006
Dusty Miller loves West Nottingham Academy, and he has never wavered in his commitment to his school. He graduated in 1959, then returned as a teacher from 1972-1982. Since leaving the Academy faculty, his attendance at graduation has been an assumed event. Even in years when he had no formal role, his strong friendship with Herb Foutz kept him informed and connected. For Dusty, West Nottingham Academy is home. It is the place where he grew up, and the place where he helped students develop a high standard for responsible behavior.
Dusty’s service to his school dates back to his student days, when he served four years as President of his Class, four years as mailman, was active in the canteen club, and earned 12 Varsity letters. As a graduate he has served in many capacities as a fund-raiser for the development office, and was instrumental in the success of the school’s first Alumni Week-end and its precursors. He is an information gatherer, event planner, and confidante. He even established a charitable remainder trust for the Academy’s benefit.
Dusty’s relationship to his school can be summarized in a word, the same word that explains his qualification for the Alumni Service Award: Loyalty.
Allan E. "Buddy" Williams
Class of 1970
Alumni Service Award
2009
Allan “Buddy” Williams has an unwavering passion for West Nottingham Academy. He was introduced to the WNA community in 1964 when he attended a Nottingham summer camp. He later enrolled in school as an eighth grader and went on to have an active school career at WNA. Buddy was involved in student government, the Art Club, and Pegẻ. He also served as supervisor of Rush Dormitory, and he was a member of the football and basketball teams. Buddy graduated in 1970, but he continued to return regularly to WNA during his summers to serve as a counselor at the Nottingham Camp. After receiving his degree from Salisbury University, he joined the faculty at West Nottingham Academy as an art instructor and dorm parent in January 1977.
As a student, alumnus, and former faculty member, Buddy has kept West Nottingham Academy close to his heart for nearly fifty years. He now serves as a vital member of the WNA Alumni Council. Since Alumni Weekend 2005 Buddy has returned each year to complete the arduous task of preparing the campus golf course for the Alumni Golf Tournament. This loyal member of the alumni community has never forgotten about the wonderful relationships and memories that he made at WNA, and he demonstrates that through his constant effort to make WNA an even better place. His involvement, commitment, hard work, and willingness to help are a testament to the character of Allan “Buddy” Williams. With the presentation of the Alumni Service Award to him, the standard of excellence is raised for all who follow.
Noah Laurance “Larry” Durkin
Class of 1978
Alumni Service Award
2011
Larry Durkin’s dedicated service to the Alumni of West Nottingham Academy ‑‑ first as organizer of Alumni gatherings on campus and then as founding Chair of the Alumni Council ‑‑ sets a high standard for those who will follow.
Larry arrived at WNA in the fall of 1976 following very difficult circumstances in a troubled public school system. During his two years at WNA, he made many friends for life, and he credits the Academy with turning his life around, both academically and socially. He has always felt a special connection with the Academy and a deep sense of gratitude for its role in helping him through a crisis in his life. Upon graduating he was accepted to the University of Delaware.
In the wake of the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001, Larry organized a Homecoming Weekend get-together that drew nearly 100 alumni to campus for the game, social events, and the beginning of the tradition of the alumni picture at the bridge. A similar gathering followed in 2002. For 2003, he helped orchestrate another large turnout of alumni at Homecoming, this time working with WNA staff to include a hospitality tent and a more formalized welcome program for the visiting Alumni.
By 2004, when he was approached to help organize an alumni association, he immersed himself in work with Development staff to identify and recruit other enthusiastic alumni, and went on to work with the group to identify its purpose, mission, and goals. Since then, he has contributed significantly to the creativity, direction, and leadership of the Alumni Council as its Chair.
Larry helped conceive and organize the activities, theme, promotion and logistics of Alumni Weekend, beginning with the first, in 2005. His work on behalf of WNA has also included writing biographic profiles and other articles for WNA Today and, utilizing his professional skills, preparing a geographic mapping analysis of the academy's student population to aid in admissions targeting.
