Gertrude Rich Award

Acknowledging outstanding alumnae

The Gertrude Rich Award was first presented in 1972 to Ruth Kivett Smith, BA/BS’39.  There have been 42 women honored with the award given in memory of Gertrude Rich, the wife of Claude Rich, chief executive of the IU Alumni Association from 1948-1968. It is given to IUAA women volunteer leaders who have provided significant guidance to and impact on alumni programs or communities.

Make a Nomination for the Gertrude Rich Award

Eligibility for Award
  • Only living women, regardless of attending or graduating from IU, are eligible.
  • The nominee must be a member of the IUAA and shall have made contributions of time and talent benefiting IUAA, her chapter, affiliate group, constituent society, or campus.
Nominations and Selection
  • Nominations will be submitted to the IUAA in January and February of each year.
  • Honorees will be selected by a committee consisting of members of the Executive Resource Team and volunteers appointed by the CEO.
Recipients
  • It is suggested that the awards be made to individuals from as many communities, campuses, and backgrounds as possible.  
  • The awards shall be given at the awards banquet held in conjunction with the Alumni Leaders Conference in June of each year.
  • Award recipients must be present at the banquet.
Submit an online nomination

Past recipients of the Gertrude Rich Award

  • 1972 - Ruth Smith Kivett, BA/BS’39 (deceased)
  • 1973 - Mary Rieman Maurer, BA 1916, LLD’67 (deceased)
  • 1974 - Miriam Meloy Sturgeon, BA’38, MA’40 (deceased)
  • 1975 - Helen Van Curen Blackledge, BS’30 (deceased)
  • 1976 - Aline Hewitt Robinson, MS’57 (deceased)
  • 1977 - Margaret Helen Elliott, MA’33 (deceased)
  • 1978 - Jane Bayer Butcher, BA’37 (deceased)
  • 1979 - Lucretia Bergdoll Crill, BS’26 (deceased)

  • 1980 - Cecilia Hendricks Wahl, BA’38 (deceased)
  • 1981 - Dona Roberts Biddle, BA’29 (deceased)
  • 1982 - Mildred Stewart Richey, BA’35 (deceased)
  • 1983 - Gayle Karch Cook, BA’56, LHD’93
  • 1984 - Sue Hays Talbot, BS’66, MS’71, EdD’92
  • 1985 - Gene Portteus Branigin, BA’34 (deceased)
  • 1986 - Doris Marie Seward, BA’38 (deceased)
  • 1987 - D. Patricia Ryan, BA’79
  • 1988 - Dot Pinnell (deceased)
  • 1989 - Rebecca Thomas Markel, BSN’59, MSN’72, EdD’86 (deceased)

  • 1990 - Dorothy Craig Collins, ’40 (deceased)
  • 1991 - Martha Lea Armstrong, ’45 (deceased)
  • 1992 - Margaret Pegge Campbell Ewers (deceased)
  • 1993 - Jane Fletchall, ’36 (deceased)
  • 1994 - Ellen Rome Ehrlich, LHD’94
  • 1996 - Alice Cunningham Manifold, GN’44
  • 1997 - Wilma Lippert Kelley, BA’37, MA’40 (deceased)
  • 1998 - Adrienne Hitchcock Savage, BS’51 (deceased)
  • 1999 - Marian Louise Armstrong, BS’52, MA’58 (deceased)

  • 2000 - Sandra Jones Obremskey, BS’58, MS’91
  • 2001 - Barbara McElroy Kunkler, GN’51
  • 2002 - Roselyn R. Cole, BS’60
  • 2003 - Nancy E. Otte, BS’76, OD’78
  • 2004 - Carolyn Muhn, BA’51
  • 2005 - Molly Johnson, AS’68
  • 2006 - Donna Berry Spears, BS’79, MPA’81
  • 2007 - Audrey Hofelich Beckley, BS’64
  • 2008 - Becky Fox, BS’65
  • 2009 - Lynn V. Lewis, BME’66, MS’82, Ed’87

  • 2012 - Sandy Schultz Moberly, BS’63
  • 2013 - Barbara Baker
  • 2014 - Patricia Williams, BS’60
  • 2015 - Gwendolyn May-Barlow
  • 2016 - Nancy Kalina