Dennis D. Andrews '66... Athletic Hall of Fame 1987

From the Allegheny Magazine

During his four years at Allegheny, Dennis Andrews established himself as one of the top wrestlers in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. He was a three time PAC champion winning the 137-pound title in both 1963 and 1965 and the 147 in 1966, while he finished as runner-up at 147 in 1964. Graduating with an all-time career record of 38-1, he was a two time team Most Valuable Player. Following his graduation in 1966, Andrews joined the U.S. Marine Corps, ascending to the rank of lieutenant and being deployed to Vietnam, where he was killed during a combat mission on July 14, 1968. Just two months earlier, Lt. Andrews evacuated a downed helicopter during combat, for which he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for Valor. That fall, the Allegheny athletic department established the Dennis D. Andrews Memorial Wrestling Trophy, to be awarded annually to the wrestler who exhibited the same qualities of leadership, team spirit, discipline and athleticism as Lt. Andrews.

Robert K. Schwartz ’66... Julian Ross Award for Excellence in Teaching 2008

From College description in the 2008 Awards Program

Robert Schwartz is as solid as the rocks that fill the Alden Hall geology labs. A respected researcher, a challenging teacher, a memorable mentor, it is fitting that he received this award named for the legendary Julian Ross. As an alumnus of Allegheny, Dr. Schwartz knows what excellent teaching is. As a professor of geology at Allegheny, where he has taught since 1979, he is committed to carrying forward that tradition. “Bob is a shining example of how teachers should inspire interest and enthusiasm in their students,” says one former student. “He forced us to figure out what the rocks were telling us, instead of just giving us the answers. On field trips he expected us to question, observe, discover and solve the geologic questions firsthand. He was there to guide us, but ultimately we had to be the scientists.” Another former student says, “Not thinking for yourself was never an option in Bob’s classes.” That challenge to students to think for themselves has resulted in students whose work is of such a high caliber that many of them have presented their research at professional conferences while still undergraduates at the College. Dr. Schwartz has led students on research projects across the Appalachians, in the Rocky Mountains, along the coastal zones from New England to Georgia, and to the Caribbean. “Bob’s quest for discovery through research and for engaging students in learning has not faltered throughout his career at Allegheny,” says a colleague. “Bob provides a learning environment for ‘doing’ science and immersed his students in experiential learning in and out of the classroom long before that phrase became part of today’s educational mantra.” An alumna sums up the qualities that make Dr. Schwartz an extraordinary mentor and teacher. “In addition to being a brilliant scientific mind, Bob’s interpersonal relationships and interactions with students from all walks of life are remarkable,” she says. “He has an ability to relate to people in a completely unassuming manner that puts them at ease and encourages honest and open discussion. His frankness and honesty are both a source of encouragement and a reality check for students during a time in their lives when change is rapid, influences are abundant, and choices are important.”

Linda Allison Palmiero ’66 ... The Robert T. Sherman Distinguished Service Award 1995

The Robert T. Sherman Distinguished Service Award was created in 1995 to be given to an Allegheny staff member who has provided exceptional long-term support to College programs or activities and/or contributed to the College in areas not required by his/her job description. The recipient’s performance must exceed expectation, and he/she should embody excellence, service and dedication to Allegheny. The recipient must have completed a minimum of five years of service to the College. Linda was the very first recipient of this new award after holding numerous positions over the years at Allegheny. Linda was extremely effective, always contributing 100 percent effort and then volunteering to do more.

Linda Allison Palmiero ’66… Alumni Medal 2009

By Kathy Roos, Director of Campus Communications June 10, 2009

Allegheny College recently honored Meadville resident Linda Palmiero, Allegheny class of 1966, with the Alumni Medal as part of the College’s Reunion Weekend festivities.
The Alumni Medal, Allegheny’s oldest and most prestigious alumni award, honors those whose devotion and service to the College far exceed the norm. Palmiero served as coordinator for Allegheny’s presidential search, as a volunteer, which involved organizing the complex process, communicating with scores of persons and serving as the College liaison to the executive search firm.

“Linda was a godsend,” said presidential search committee chair Tom Slonaker, “smoothly facilitating the introduction of candidates for consideration into the Allegheny community and always sensitive to the inclusiveness of our College’s community.”

In 1992, Palmiero retired as assistant dean of the College and registrar, but returned to work in the admissions office and later served as interim director of alumni affairs. Among her many volunteer roles at Allegheny, Palmeiro has hosted regional alumni events, served on reunion committees, presided over Alumni Council, worked with sorority Kappa Alpha Theta, assisted the admissions and career services offices, and mentored students. She also played a pivotal role in leading the initiative for 100 percent participation by council members in the College’s Tradition and Transformation capital campaign.

John M. Kelso, Jr. ’66….. Blue Citation, 2010

By Kathy Roos, Director of Campus Communications 2010

John Kelso’s volunteer activities for Allegheny have been many and varied. Ten years ago, when asked if he would be willing to speak with a student who was interested in learning more about the FBI, John not only spoke to the student by phone, but also met with him in Washington at FBI headquarters.

Since then, John has come to campus regularly to educate students about careers in the FBI. He was an FBI special agent for 32 years and served as chief of the FBI Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act section, supervising a staff of 500. He covers his own travel expenses and always includes time for one-on-one conversations with students. Thanks to the success of these programs, Allegheny now has an annual “Careers in National Security” program to help students learn about internships and career opportunities.

John has served the College in other ways. He was a member of the Alumni Council for six years and served as president in 2006-07. As president, he and his wife, Lydia, hosted the officers in their home for a two-day retreat. He emphasized communications with council members and enhanced the council’s visibility and effectiveness. The committees and task forces on which he served during his time on council would fill a page; many of his efforts were aimed at improving the College’s relationship with recent graduates; at encouraging alumni to support Allegheny, both with their time and financial resources; and at recognizing those who did. Phil Foxman, director of alumni affairs, said, “It’s important to note that John was active and involved in all of these initiatives—he always completed his tasks and did so with great depth of work, energy and enthusiasm.

Linda Palmiero ’66, a colleague on the Alumni Council, said, “John’s love and appreciation for Allegheny are apparent in his many years of commitment to the College. He contributes both financially and of his time: speaking to undergraduate classes, singing in the choir, attending and coordinating reunion weekends, and providing leadership to the Alumni Association through his tenure on the Alumni Council. He translates his pride in Allegheny College into outstanding work for the College.” Jen Daurora ’99 described John as “one of Allegheny’s greatest gifts.” She said he has “a way of bringing out the best in people and encouraging them to give their best back to Allegheny.”

John doesn’t think twice about this effort. “I’ve experienced so many blessings and good fortune throughout my life,” he said. “It feels right to be giving something back. I could play golf seven days a week, but I have to be out there doing something that matters and being of use.”

Lynn Campbell Smith ’66: Blue Citation in 1996

shared with husband Robert K. Smith ‘65

Story provided by Allegheny, as written in 1996:

An intimate family dinner at the Robert Smith residence in Bay Village, Ohio, resembles a miniature Allegheny Reunion Weekend. Gathered around the table would be Robert “Buck” Smith ’65, his wife Lynn Campbell Smith ’66, their daughters, Julie L. Smith ’90, and Sharon K. Brumagin ’92, and Sharon’s husband Scott Brumagin ’93.

With such ties to Allegheny, little wonder Buck and Lynnchave found themselves among the College’s staunchest supporters. “Fabulous with alumni parents,” “super volunteers,” “most willing to do anything,” are typical comments from the many administrators in Admissions, Annual Giving, and Alumni Affairs who have worked with the Smiths over the years.

Buck and Lynn are the kind of people who come forward and say “Let us know what we can do to help.” Allegheny’s answer has been, “Everything.”

For years, the Smiths have been part of an enthusiastic Cleveland area group of Volunteers in Support of Admissions. VISA members are called upon to do anything from helping to identify prospective students to conducting off-campus interviews, to hosting receptions for accepted students in their homes.

As much as they have done for Admissions, Buck and Lynn have done even more for the Office of Alumni Affairs. As Dick Stewart said, “Because of their efforts, the governance of the Alumni Association is stronger, and the engagement of the College’s alumni with the institution has increased.”

In 1990, the couple were asked to serve on the newly formed Alumni Council, the streamlined governing body for the Alumni Association. Of course, they graciously agreed and for the next five years never missed a meeting and never refused an assignment. In addition, between them they have served on the Local Associations Committee, the Communications Advisory Committee, and the Executive Committee.

They have also remained stalwart supporters of their local alumni association. This support has been manifested in dozens of ways… from cheering on the Gator football team at an Oberlin away game (on a cold and windy November day) to helping to sponser a Career Connections program to link Allegheny students with alumni in the Cleveland area.

Buck and Lynn have also served on the National Annual Fund Committee and helped to organize regional phonathons. Although they most often seem to work as a team, Lynn recently served as the head fundraiser for her class’s 25th reunion gift to the College. And Buck, in his capacity as a trustee for the Cleveland area Central Reserve Life Foundation, helped to orchestrate the establishment of the CRL Foundation Scholarship, awarded each year to a rising senior majoring in economics.

The college is pleased to award the Blue Citation to both Buck and Lynn Smith, a couple who are this year celebrating not only Lynn’s 30th reunion, but also their own 30th wedding anniversary.

Chester L. Sceiford ’66… Blue Citation, 1983

College Archives: from the 1983 awards ceremony program

Chester L. “Chet” Sceiford has served his alma mater with utmost loyalty since graduating in 1966 with a bachelor of arts degree in history. Even though operating his 125-acre family fruit farm in North East, Pa., is a seven-day-a-week job nearly year-round, Mr. Sceiford has found time to devote to Allegheny.

He became chairman of the Erie County Alumni Association in 1976 and began to re-vitalize a club that had not met in eight years. He was a member of the Executive Committee of The Alumni Congress from 1976-78 and vice president of the committee from 1978-1980. He served as president of the national Allegheny Alumni Association from 1980-82 and currently Mr. Sceiford is an at-large member of the committee and president of the Erie County Alumni Association.

Responsible for the formation of standing committees with assigned goals and for the formation of a formal statement of purpose and goals for the Executive Committee of The Alumni Congress, Mr. Sceiford involved more alumni in more programs to help the college than ever before.

After he received his master’s degree in student personnel from Colgate University in 1968, Mr. Sceiford continued his studies in higher education administration at Indiana University in Bloomington. Following two years as assistant to the dean of the College of Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Mr. Sceiford returned home to the farm which the Sceifords have worked for more than a century.

In his report to The Alumni Congress at the annual meeting October 16, 1982, Allegheny College President David Bailey Harned commended the Executive Committee under Mr. Sceiford’s presidency, “for helping the college know where to go and how to get there.”

He says “Mr. Sceiford was highly successful in bringing Allegheny alumni to a new sense of involvement in the life of the college.”

The Alumni Medal
The Alumni Medal is the College’s oldest and most prestigious recognition and is awarded for steadfast loyalty and many years of distinguished service to Allegheny.
The Blue Citation
The Blue Citation is awarded in recognition and appreciation of outstanding service to the College.
The Gold Citation
The Gold Citation is awarded in recognition and appreciation of honor reflected upon the College by virtue of professional or volunteer activities.

Julian Ross Award for Excellence in Teaching

This award is presented to a member of the faculty who has been at Allegheny at least ten years and who embodies those qualities of an outstanding teacher.

Athletic Hall of Fame

Athletic Hall of Fame is to recognize those individuals or teams who have brought distinction, honor, and excellence to the College in the field of athletic endeavor.

The Robert T. Sherman Distinguished Service Award
This award is given to an Allegheny staff member who has provided exceptional to the College.

Special Awards Have Been Presented to