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