May 27, 2025
Wheeling University to Recognize Four Alumni During Annual Reunion in June
WHEELING, W.Va., May 27 – Wheeling University will recognize four alumni for their achievements in education, service and dedication to the institution during its annual Alumni Recognition and Awards Dinner in June.
The awards will be presented during the University’s annual Alumni Weekend, a time when alumni return to campus to celebrate with classmates and reconnect with their alma mater. The Alumni Recognition and Awards Dinner is at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, June 21 inside Troy Theater. Set to be honored at the dinner are Richard (Dick) Riley, Jr. Ph.D., Monsignor Joseph Peterson, and Grace Williams.
Wheeling University presents the St. Ignatius Distinguished Alumni Award to a graduate who exemplifies the ideals of extraordinary competence and personal compassion in their chosen field. This award will be presented to Riley, a member of the class of 1984. He is the Louis F. Tanner Distinguished Professor of Public Accounting at West Virginia University and Director of Research for the Institute of Fraud Prevention. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to education at WVU and has been nationally recognized for his contributions in forensic accounting. Additionally, Riley also served two terms as President of the Wheeling University Alumni Council.
The Fr. Pedro Arrupe Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes a graduate who embodies the ideals of Ignatian spirituality and lives a life committed to service. The University will present this year’s award posthumously to Monsignor Peterson, class of 1973, for his service to Catholics throughout West Virginia. He began as a deacon in 1974 and went onto to serve at several parishes within the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. Peterson also held roles as director of the Office of Vocation Ministries, rector of the Wheeling House of Studies and Vicar General of the Diocese.
The final award to be given is the Rev. James O’Brien, S.J. Award which recognizes young alumni who manifest a growing competence in their chosen field and whose personal life reflects Wheeling’s mission of ‘education men and women for life, leadership and service.’ This year’s O’Brien Award will be presented to Williams a member of the class of 2013. As a student and since graduating, Williams has embodied the University’ mission to be a person for others. After graduation, she joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in New Orleans. Williams moved back to West Virginia in 2016 to become as the director of the Big Laurel Learning Center in Kermit, West Virginia, where she coordinates camps and hosts groups on service trips.
“The University community looks forward to welcoming alumni back to campus once again this June,” said Wheeling University President, Dianna Vargo, Ed.D. “We are excited to recognize these four outstanding alumni for the impact they have made at our university and in their communities.”
Wheeling University’s Alumni Weekend kicks off on Friday, June 20, and ends on Sunday, June 22. The weekend is filled with events and activities that celebrate graduates and the University. Highlighting this year’s reunion is the induction of class of 1975 into the 50 Year Club. There will be a special celebration for the Class of 2000 to mark its 25th Anniversary. The weekend is open to all alumni. To learn more about Alumni Weekend or to make reservations, go to https://wheeling.edu/alumni-weekend/ or email alumni@wheeling.edu.