June 22, 2023
Four Individuals to be Recognized at Wheeling University’s Alumni Weekend
WHEELING, WV, June 22 – Recognition of alumni will highlight Wheeling University’s 2023 Alumni Weekend set for June 23-25.
The University will hand out four awards during Saturday’s Alumni Awards and Recognition Dinner. Alumni will be recognized for excelling in their profession, for serving others and for service to the University .
“We look forward to welcoming our alumni back to campus to continue their life-long connection with friends, faculty and their alma mater,” said University President Ginny R. Favede. “The awards we will present are just one way to thank our graduates for the difference they make a difference at our University and in their communities every day.”
This year, alumni from the classes of 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018 will mark reunions.
During the Alumni Awards and Recognition Dinner, President Favede will present the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award to two alumni.
The St. Ignatius Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes a graduate who exemplifies the Jesuit ideals of extraordinary competence and personal compassion in one’s chosen profession. The University will present this award posthumously to Robert “Hutch” Hutchings from the class of 1973. Hutching dedicated his life to teaching the game of basketball to young men around the world and instilling in them skills to succeed in their career and in life.
The Rev. Pedro Arrupe S.J. Distinguished Alumni Award will be given this year to Anna Marie Troiani, class of 1991 for her lifelong dedication to serving others and helping them grow in their faith. The Award, named in honor of the 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus, is presented to a graduate who embodies the ideals of Ignatian spirituality and recognizes a graduate who is living a life committed to serving others and leads others to explore the link between peace and justice in the spirit of Fr. Arrupe.
The Alumni Association will present the Rev. Clifford M. Lewis, S.J. Award, the highest honor presented by the Alumni Council, to Paula (Scott) Felt, class of 1972. Felt is receiving this award for her service to the University as a member of Alumni Council, an Alumni in Recruitment volunteer and her support of alumni activities.
The final award will be given to Stacy (Keller) Kelleher, class of 2009, who will receive the Rev. James A. O’Brien Award. This award recognizes young alumni who manifest a growing competence and personal compassion, and who exhibit strength and promise in areas reflecting Wheeling’s mission of educating men and women for life, leadership and service to others. Since graduating, Kelleher has excelled in the field of video production/web services, serving in those capacities at Wheeling, the Big 10 Network and most recently, the Philadelphia Eagles.