William Penn University appreciates the dedication and service of our many alumni and community supporters. It is representative of the values we aim to instill in all of our students. Each year at Homecoming, individuals or groups of people are selected to be recipients of the awards listed below. They are honored at the Recognition Banquet with the awards and inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The Distinguished Career Award is given to an individual based on esteemed and meritorious achievement in career and life. Candidates for this award are alumni of William Penn University or Nebraska Central College.
Dr. Dorothy Finnegan ’69
William Penn University is proud to recognize Dorothy ‘Dot’ Finnegan, PhD, as the 2024 recipient of the Distinguished Career Award. A graduate of the Class of 1969, Dot’s distinguished career spans teaching, research, and student advocacy at prestigious institutions such as Colby-Sawyer College, La Roche College, Oklahoma State University, and The College of William and Mary. Her impactful research and leadership in higher education reflect her unwavering dedication to academia. Dot’s career is a testament to the values and excellence nurtured at William Penn University.
The Distinguished Service Award is bestowed upon an individual whose life of service has been exemplary. This honor extends beyond the circle of Penn alumni to those who embody the William Penn commitment to community and humanitarian service.
Richard ‘Dick’ Simmons ’90
William Penn University is proud to honor Dick Simmons as the 2024 Distinguished Service Award recipient. From leading the Alumni Association to shaping athletic programs and serving on national committees, Simmons’ dedication has made a lasting impact. His leadership has strengthened alumni engagement and advanced wrestling at the collegiate level. Beyond athletics, his volunteerism and commitment to community service embody the true spirit of William Penn.
The Torch Award was initiated during the 1972 Parents’ Weekend as a way of acknowledging and honoring alumni and non-alumni parents who have shown exceptional commitment to William Penn University. Each year the Torch Award is given to an alumni family of at least two generations; or to non-alumni parents, all of whose children have attended William Penn University. Consideration is also given to the interest and loyalty shown by the recipient family in the programs and ideals of the University.
Don Camenisch ’61
William Penn University is proud to award the 2024 Torch Award to the Don Camenisch Family, a shining example of dedication across three generations. Don, a 1961 graduate, was a standout athlete and inducted into the WPU Athletic Hall of Fame. His legacy continues through his children, including Lisa, a 1982 graduate and educator, and Kendell, who served in the Army National Guard and worked at Clow Valve. Their children, Noah (2022) and Levi (2023), further the family’s connection to William Penn. The Camenisch family’s enduring commitment to education and service is truly commendable.
This award was designed to recognize established and future leaders among recent William Penn University alumni. Standards for recognition include one or more of the following: demonstrated leadership capability, substantial indication of a commitment to the service of others, demonstration of potential for leadership/distinction in the long term, and a substantial commitment to William Penn University and its mission. The award is open to all alumni who are within their first 10 years of graduating from William Penn University.
Alexis Guimaraes ’20
William Penn University is pleased to award the 2024 Emerging Young Leader Award to Alexis Guimaraes, Class of 2020. A Summa Cum Laude graduate with degrees in psychology and sport management, Alexis has demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication both during her time at Penn and in her current role at Callaway Golf. Her involvement in women’s golf, academic achievements, and work on Callaway’s Women with Drive Council reflect her commitment to excellence and service. Alexis’ impressive career and passion for empowering women in golf showcase her potential for future leadership.
Those that are successful in coaching young students in the world of athletics have a special gift of shaping and changing the lives of those they come in contact with. The late and great Ed Thomas, whom this award was named after, had a great impact on his athletes. He passionately believed that his job as a coach was not to prepare kids to be college athletes, but to make their involvement in football or other sports a learning experience. Faith, family, and excellence is what Thomas believed in and those core values are also present in the recipients of the Ed Thomas Award.
Julian Assibey ’05
William Penn University is proud to present the 2024 Ed Thomas Award to Julian Assibey, a 2005 graduate and current Assistant Coach for Nebraska Women’s Basketball. With a career spanning multiple states, Assibey has made a significant impact at schools like Florida, Montana State, and Colorado State, contributing to numerous postseason appearances and championships. His coaching success, along with his strong faith, dedication to family, and commitment to excellence, embody the core values of Coach Ed Thomas. Julian’s leadership continues to inspire the athletes he mentors.
This first-time and perhaps one-time award is given to recognize support and service to William Penn University that is transformational in nature and at the same time foundational to Penn’s historical mission.
Joe Crookham and Jeanie Bieri
In 2016, Joe Crookham and Jeanie Bieri received the Lifetime Statesmen Award—a distinction awarded for the first, and possibly last, time in William Penn’s history. This rare honor was conferred in recognition of their enduring generosity and unwavering commitment to the University’s core mission. Through philanthropic support, leadership, and active engagement with the campus community, they have played an instrumental role in shaping and advancing William Penn’s legacy. Their contributions continue to inspire students, faculty, and staff alike, and we remain deeply grateful for their lasting impact on our institution.
