Awards

Alumni Awards

Honoring Alumni Serving Around the World

The Clarks Summit University Alumni Association presents Alumni Awards each fall at the annual Homecoming: Alumni and Family Weekend. The Alumnus of the Year, Outstanding Service Award and Young Alumnus Award recognize just a few of our amazing alumni who are serving Christ.

God has greatly used many of our alumni around the world in a variety of capacities to bring honor and glory to His name. The Alumnus of the Year has been presented every year since 1967. The Outstanding Service Awards were first given in 1984, and the Young Alumnus Award was first given in 2016.

It is the great privilege and responsibility of the alumni family to participate in the selection of the annual alumni award recipients.

The deadline for nominations is April 15 each year. The Alumni Executive Council reviews all nominations and makes the final award selections.

Alumni Awards
Contact Us

Alumni Office
Clarks Summit University
alumni@ClarksSummitU.edu
570.585.9202

Alumnus of the Year Award

Each year, one individual is awarded the Alumnus of the Year Award. Clarks Summit University alumni nominate individuals during the spring. The Alumni Association Council selects the award winner.

2022 Alumnus of the Year: Steve Viars (’82)

Pastor Steve Viars (’82) has served at Faith Church in Lafayette, Indiana, since 1987. Viars’ gifted teaching ministry, enthusiasm for the Word of God and organizational skills are instrumental in equipping Faith Church.

At Faith Church, Viars oversees the staff, deacons and all Faith ministries. He also serves on the boards of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, Biblical Counseling Coalition, Vision of Hope and the Faith Community Development Corporation. He has written several books including, “Putting Your Past In Its Place,” “Loving Your Community,” “Overcoming Bitterness” and “Do You Believe What God Says About You?”

Viars graduated from CSU with a Bachelor of Science in Bible in 1982. He went on to earn his Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry.

Requirements
  • Received a degree from Clarks Summit University.
  • Completed at least 10 years of faithful and profitable Christian service in their profession.
  • Demonstrated loyalty to Clarks Summit University, its programs and/or its students or graduates.
  • Cultivated an evident pursuit of Christ-centered thinking and daily lifestyle that honors Him.
  • Hold an evident dedication to developing the life of Christ in others.
Previous Alumnus of the Year Award Recipients

2021 — Ted Boykin
2020 — Barb Peil
2019 — Jack Spates
2018 — Jeff Howell
2017 — Mel Walker
2016 — Kelly Haight
2015 — Marty Dittmar
2014 — Glen Lavy, Esq.
2013 — Cheryl Fawcett
2012 — Rev. Jim Showers
2011 — Dr. Paul Plew
2010 — Jeff Hash
2009 — Chaplain James E. May III
2008 — Dr. David Crandall
2007 — Dr. James M Grier
2006 — Donald Trott
2005 — R. Eldon Brock
2004 — Floyd Donald Drake, Sr.
2003 — Carl Elgena
2002 — Charles Ware
2001 — Robert Gromacki
2000 — R. Craig Golden
1999 — David McClain
1998 —– Ken Rudolph
1997 — Jesse Eaton
1996 — David L. Moore
1995 —– Charles Vermilyea
1994 — Willard Stull
1993 — Benjamin McGrew
1992 — Gordon Lewis
1991 — Wilbur Strader
1990 — Manfred Kober
1989 — Austin Plew
1988 — Robert Hayden
1987 — Helen Finch
1986 —– Harold & Patricia Miller
1985 — John White, Jr.
1984 — Nina & V. Ben Kendrick
1983 — G. Heath Bobbett
1982 — Friedhelm Loescher
1981 — Mark Jackson
1980 — Kenneth Elgena
1979 — Bernard Bancroft
1978 — G. Arthur Woolsey
1977 — Mead Armstrong
1976 — Daniel Gelatt
1975 — Ruth Haycock
1973 — Cass Santos
1972 — Jessica Minns
1970 — Douglas Christen
1969 — Albert Williams
1968 — James Jeremiah
1967 — Merle Hull

Outstanding Service Award

Each year, four individuals are awarded Outstanding Service Awards. Clarks Summit University alumni nominate individuals during the spring. The Alumni Association Council selects the award winners.

2022 Outstanding Service Award:
Mark (’92, ’97) and Nanette (’92) Fitch

Mark (’92, ’97) and Nanette (’92) Fitch were involved in campus life as CSU students. Mark was part of CSU’s first NCCAA II national championship soccer team and was a 2010 inductee into the CSU Athletic Hall of Honor. Nanette was part of the Chamber Singers and has served the local church in music ministry.

While Mark attended BBS, they ministered as resident directors in Vibbard Hall. They’ve served churches in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Mark is currently the campus pastor at LCBC Church in York, Pennsylvania. Nanette brings the light of Jesus into her role as a nurse. They have two children.

Mark and Nanette are grateful for their deep CSU heritage. Mark’s father, Charles, attended CSU in Johnson City, New York. Nanette’s grandfather is trustee emeritus Russell Phelps (for whom the Phelps Student Center is named).

2022 Outstanding Service Award:
Susan Hossack (’89)

Early on, the Lord burdened Susan Hossack’s (’89) heart for missions and Bible translation. After her degree from CSU, she went on to study Hebrew and linguistics and earned her Master of Arts in Religion in Urban Missions.

In 1993, she was commissioned with Baptist Mid-Missions and arrived in Koumra, Chad, in 1996 to work with Bible translation teams. For 20 years, Hossack helped the native Dagba and Rito translators in Chad write out the New Testament in their heart language.

Susan taught Greek in a Bible institute in Balimba, taught women’s Bible studies and worked in women’s ministries. She helped revise reading primers in several languages, correct Old Testament storybooks, and train Africans to teach literacy. God opened the door for her to travel to Central African Republic, Benin, Togo and France to help make corrections on translation projects in four languages.

In 2016, Hossack transitioned to a ministry in Algrange, France, teaching Greek and Hebrew in a Bible institute. She also teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies in her local church.

2022 Outstanding Service Award:
Mike Show (’92)

With plans to obtain a degree in physical education, Mike Show (’92) began his freshman year in 1988 with no intention of remaining at his alma mater upon his graduation. However, God had other plans and in the summer of 1993, Show began his service at CSU as an admissions counselor. The following summer, in addition to marrying his wife, Valerie, he took on the role of head coach of the men’s basketball team.

In 2003, Show was promoted to assistant director of athletics. During his 20 years of coaching, he recorded 272 wins, 10 NCCAA II East Region Championships, a NEAC Championship, numerous NCCAA II East Region Coach of the Year awards, two NEAC Coach of the Year Awards, and one NCCAA DII Coach of the Year Award. He also led the program to its first-ever NCAA III national tournament appearance in 2006-07.  After his promotion to director of athletics in 2008, Show helped the athletic department transition from the North East Athletic Conference (NEAC) to the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC).

In 2015, he would take a brief pause in his service to CSU to work as a Christian school administrator. But he returned in 2019 as recruitment and church relations administrator and head coach of the men’s golf team. Show was then appointed interim director of athletics in May of 2022. His work spoke for itself as the interim title was removed the following month. He plans to lead the athletic department to “point people to God, deny self, and lead by serving.”

Mike and Valerie have been married for 28 years and have six children.

2022 Outstanding Service Award:
Mark Willey (’77)

Mark Willey (’77) and his wife Marian planned to invest their lives in world missions. However, God stirred Willey’s heart for church planting in the United States as Willey believed it would prepare him for going overseas.

In 1981, they started Fellowship Baptist Church as a home Bible study for 14 adults. After meeting in an area high school for three years, they built a gymnasium, which served as an outreach facility and church. By 1985, the church was financially self-sufficient.

Instead of continuing their world missions career as planned, Willey became the ongoing pastor of Fellowship Church. He believed God would fulfill their call to impact the world through missions by staying and sending others through the church. Since then, more than 40 people from their church have gone into full-time vocational ministry either in international missions or the pastorate.

God has enabled the Willeys to start two other churches and a second campus in South Jersey. Mark also served on the Executive Board of ABWE from 2010 to 2019 and earned both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry.

Requirements

Candidates must have:

  • Received a degree from Clarks Summit University.
  • Maintained a quality association with Clarks Summit University for at least 10 years.
  • Cultivated an evident pursuit of Christ-centered thinking and daily lifestyle that honors Him.
  • Hold an evident dedication to developing the life of Christ in others.

A few examples of ministry/professional areas of potential award winners are pastor, youth pastor, educator, missionary, deacon, women’s ministry leader, lay worker, counselor, other significant ministry.

Previous Alumni Outstanding Service Award Recipients

2021 — Peter and Lisa Brock, Dave and Cindy Fox, Robert and Joyce Hayes, Nate and Jill Osborne
2020 — Gina Ruby, Dr. Norman Peart, Doug and Sharon Martin
2019 — Gil Thomas, Dave Cunningham, Matt Pollock, Kathy Compton
2018 — Tammy Beideman, Ken Riley, Chris Brown
2017 — Michelle Hammaker, Craig Miller, Bill and Kathy Brittain
2016 — Derek Mosher, Dan Cruver, Mike Bacon
2015 — Tim Ahlgrim, Russ Schelling, Mark Stuenzi, Ruth Nearmyer Trott
2014 — Mark Meyers, Ray Rouse, John Saucier, Christine (Bujnak) Warner
2013 — John Frey, Kristi Walker, Dennis Wilhite
2012 — Rev. Doug & Cheryl Boisvert, Pastor Patrick McGoldrick, Sue Lodico, Sgt. George Peach
2011 — Fran Weddle, Dr. Robert Kelleman, Ruth Rising
2010 — Ken and Arlene Updyke, Richard Blades, Martin Eaton
2009 — Dr. Don Whipple, Sherrie Holloway, Michael and Kim Ryall
2008 — James R. Howell, Wanda Southworth Leffel, Dr. Colin Smith, Mel Walker
2007 — Dr. Steve Viars, Dr. Rodney Decker, Jane Schmitz, Darlene Knafel
2006 — Joseph Flatt, Kennard Mosher, Delores Woods, Wilbur & Nona Janowski
2005 — W. Robert Mattox, C. David Barrows, Doris Youmans, Martha Lentsch
2004 — Carl Hills, Harold Green, Elizabeth Jones, Mary Shellhammer
2003 — Glenn Seaver, RoseLee Bancroft, Carl & Wilma Abbott, Bob Marsh
2002 — Donald Shirk, Saleen McElwain, Tim & Barb Vermilyea, Donald Moffitt
2001 — Harold Comings, Ellen Glanville, Dick & Ruth Gelina, Eddy Smith
2000 — Chris Hindal, Robert Lightner, Tim & Helen Matchett, Jacquelyn Mitchell
1999 — Victor Decker, James Grier, J. Murray Murdoch, Larry & Jacqui Armstrong, Verna Hollenback
1998 — Terry Zebulske, David Boehning, Andy & Diane Large, Bethel McGrew
1997 — Richard Alhgrim, James Lytle, Polly Strong, Lena VanGilder
1996 — Barry Stewart, Cheryl Fawcett, Paul & Elaine Kintner, Gerald & Thelma Strope
1995 — Willis Hull, Christopher Davis, Fred & Rachel Whitman, Beryl Kach
1994 — James Jeffery, Earle Harriman, Linda Short,
1993 — Donald McCall, Richard Engle, Paul Weimer
1992 — James Vogel, David McClain, Donald Bond
1991 — Richard Christen, Joyce McNamee, George Chadwick, Beverly McElwain
1990 — Karl Smith, Valerie Wilson, Artus Larkin, Harry Dodd
1989 —– R. Craig Golden, Clara Crumb deRosset, C. Lloyd Button
1988 — Floyd Drake, Martha Green, David Moore
1987 — R. Eldon Brock, Jesse Eaton, Carl Elgena, Donald Trott II
1986 — Marylou Brownell, Warren Birdsall, Benjamin McGrew, Charles Vermilyea
1985 — Charles Cuthbertson, Patricia Brannen, Robert Hayden, Robert Gromacki
1984 — Mary Thompson, Rev. & Mrs. M.O. Burman, David Layhe

Young Alumnus Award

Each year, one individual is awarded the Young Alumnus Award. Clarks Summit University alumni nominate individuals during the spring. The Alumni Association Council selects the award winner.

2022 Young Alumnus: Joseph Gonzalez (’19)

Joseph Gonzalez (’19) transferred to CSU in 2016 after being saved by God’s grace the previous year. In 2019, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in biblical studies and intercultural studies. He served as a resident assistant in Ridley Hall and took groups of students into Scranton to share the gospel. Now, as an active member of Emmanuel Bible Church in Vineland, New Jersey, Gonzalez and church leaders are implementing evangelism outreach to the community.

In 2020, Joseph began working as a shelter staff ambassador at Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission, Philadelphia’s largest emergency men’s homeless shelter. He facilitated the acquisition of shelter beds and cultivated an environment of trauma-informed care for the residents. In 2021, Gonzalez was promoted to spiritual care coordinator where he developed and implemented spiritual growth programming. He organizes and facilitates daily morning devotions, prayer groups, Bible discussions, book clubs, music therapy groups, field trips and poetry groups. He engages in personal conversations, conducting spiritual assessments to connect men to healthy local churches. While sharing the gospel, he gifts men with spiritual care resources such as Bibles, devotional materials and gospel tracts.

Requirements
  • Received a degree from Clarks Summit University within the past five years.
  • Cultivated an evident pursuit of Christ-centered thinking and daily lifestyle that honors Him.
  • An evident dedication to developing the life of Christ in others.
Previous Young Alumnus Award Recipients

2021 — Dan Kennard
2020 — Nathan Miller
2019 — Chris Kish
2018 — Aleisha Buchanan
2017 — Aaron Hixson
2016 — Christian and Katie Attlesey

Athletics Hall of Honor

Clarks Summit University’s Defender Athletics program established The Hall of Honor in 2006. The distinction recognizes former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, special individuals and teams. Membership is based on excellence in athletic achievement and demonstrated Christ-centered values while involved in the university’s athletics programs.

Induction is the highest athletic honor the university bestows. Membership not only recognizes extraordinary achievement, it also sets an example of the distinct Christ-centered values and attributes the Clarks Summit University athletic programs desires to cultivate in present and future participants.

Visit the CSU Defender Athletic site for details.

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