Six individuals who have gone above and beyond in giving back to their alma mater will be recognized by the West Virginia University Alumni Association during Weekend of Honors activities April 16-18. The 2004 Alumni Awards are bestowed upon alumni volunteers in recognition of their valued contributions to the University community.
The individuals we honor this year are representative of the qualities we value in all of our alumni leaders throughout the country,said Stephen Douglas, director of the WVU Alumni Association.The entire University community benefits from the service of these hard-working, generous and loyal Mountaineers.
The 2004 honorees:
A. JamesJimEllis, Jr., ‘63 BA,’65 MS, Surfside Beach, S.C., will receive the David W. Jacobs Lifetime Service Award, recognizing his years of service and support to the WVU Alumni Association. Ellis has been a continuous advocate on behalf of the alumni association, serving as chapter leader in both the Cincinnati area and Grand Strand area of South Carolina.
He is the organizer of the annualWVU Day at the Beachwith proceeds used to support scholarships and programming of the local alumni chapter. Ellis and his wife, Patalso a graduate of WVU are long-time supporters of WVU athletics.
Sabrina McDonald Cave, ‘95 BS,’97 MS, Morgantown, will receive the Margaret Buchanon Cole Young Alumni Award in recognition of her work with many WVU programs, including director of the Mountaineer Parents Club. Cave also has served as assistant director of the WVU Alumni Association and as an admissions recruiter at Potomac State College of West Virginia University. In a volunteer capacity, Cave has been instrumental in developing the University Chapter of the WVU Alumni Association into one of the outstanding chapters in the nation.
Willie J. Cheatham, Jr., ‘92 BS, Teaneck, N.J., and Nancy McCormick DiPaolo, ‘76 BS, Spring, Texas, will be honored with the James R. McCartney Community Service Award. The award recognizes a member of the alumni association who has provided outstanding citizenship and service to his/her community. Cheatham, owner/producer of WJC Sports and a producer for National Basketball Association Entertainment, is president of the Teaneck Community Football League and an organizer of youth activities in his community. He serves as a role model for youth in his area. DiPaulo has been an inspiration to alumni in the Lonestar State through her leadership and nurturing of the Houston Area Alumni Chapter. Each year, the chapter hosts numerous events in the community for WVU alumni and friends. Under her leadership, the chapter maintains many community service projects as part of its commitment to the area. In addition, DiPaolo has been instrumental in recruiting prospective students as well as serving as Texas state chair of the Mountaineer Parents Club.
William R.BillSharpe, Jr., ‘50 BS, Weston, will receive the Paul B.BuckMartin Award
which recognizes a member of the alumni association who has worked to preserve, maintain and
promote the traditions of WVU . Sen. Sharpe is president pro tempore of the West Virginia State Senate representing District 12. A life-long member of the alumni association, Sharpe has diligently supported WVU throughout his lifetime. For the past 12 years, he has assisted the association in its annual legislative reception, and this year, was instrumental in providing guidance to the association forWVU Day at the Capitol. Sharpe has supported the traditions of WVU and has been a confidant on legislative matters to WVU presidents.
Jonathan R.JonHickey, ‘78 BS, Wilmington, Del., will be honored with the John F. Nicholas Jr. Award which recognizes a member of the WVU Alumni Association who has given outstanding service and contributions of a local alumni chapter. Through Hickey’s leadership and organization, the State of Deleware Chapter has become of the strongest alumni groups in the nation. The Delaware Mountaineer group is involved in year-around activities benefitting WVU including student recruitment, fund-raising for scholarships, athletic venues and community service projects. Under Hickey’s leadership, the annual State of Delaware WVU Alumni Picnic has become of the strongest student recruitment events in the nation.
The honorees will be recognized during the Weekend of Honors Convocation at 7 p.m. Friday, April 16, in WVU ’s Mountainlair Ballrooms. For additional details, contact the WVU Alumni Association at 304-293-4731.
The WVU Alumni Association chartered in 1873, represents more than 145,000 University graduates residing in every county in West Virginia, every state in the union and approximately 60 foreign nations. With nearly 100 registered chapters and constituent groups, the association’s 26,000 dues-paying members support Homecoming Weekend, the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni and dozens of other social and philanthropic programs.