The West Virginia University Alumni Association has announced Joseph Paul”Bud”Hehle of Hampton, Va., as the recipient of this years James R. McCartney Award.
Presented annually by the WVU Alumni Association, the James R. McCartney Award recognizes a member who has given outstanding citizenship and service to his/her community.
Hehle, Class of 53 (BS) and 54 (MA), is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, and is currently president of the associations Tidewater Chapter. Along with being a dedicated friend to the University and the Alumni Association, Hehle is an active member in numerous programs and projects throughout his community.
As president of the Virginia Peninsula Swimming Union, he coordinated league activities that would consist of 14 teams located from Williamsburg to Hampton, Va. He served as president of the Briar-Queen Recreation Association and the Briar-Queen Swim Team Association, which raised funds, coordinated family support and managed facilities and functions throughout the region. At one point the recreation association and the swim team association sustained 100 swimmers and approximately 15 families.
Hehle has also coordinated efforts to create the Mobile Cardiac Unit Fund Drive for the city of Hampton. With Hehle efforts, funds were raised for three emergency vehicles and provided for the increase of paramedic corps from 10 to 35 members. Hehle is also past treasurer of Tyler Memorial Methodist Church, past Grandmaster of Mountain State Alumni (Kappa Sigma Fraternity) and serves as vice president for the Housing Corporation, Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Gamma Phi Chapter (WVU).
He has also gained a significant amount of local exposure for his area coordination of Hamptons Neighborhood Watch Program, which incorporates the help of both neighbors and police to preserve area safety.
Past award winners include: 99, Dr. W. Blaine Groves and Dr. Linda Kessinger; 98, Priscilla M. Haden; 97, Helen Dent Bond; 96, John Olashuk.
The West Virginia University Alumni Association Awards will be presented during the Weekend of Honors Convocation Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. April 14 in the Mountainlair ballrooms.