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 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.
William Penn University proudly recognized Don and Diane (Hale) Lastovka as recipients of the 2026 Distinguished Service Award. Both Penn alumni, the couple has dedicated countless hours to serving their community in Brooklyn, Iowa, while continuing to give back to their alma mater. Their commitment to service reflects the Quaker values at the heart of William Penn.
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.
William Penn University proudly recognized Tim Boyle ’88 as the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Career Award. A graduate of Penn’s Industrial Technology and Business Management programs, Boyle spent more than 35 years at Musco Sports Lighting, helping lead advancements in lighting technology and product development. From his early days in research and development to his role as Chief Product Development Officer, Boyle’s career reflects a commitment to innovation, leadership and lifelong learning.
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.
William Penn University proudly recognized the Ken and Lorelei Martin family as recipients of the 2026 Torch Award. With a family legacy spanning multiple generations, the Martins have built lasting connections to Penn through education, athletics and service. From alumni who began their journeys decades ago to current students carrying on the family tradition, their story reflects a shared commitment to education and the lasting impact of the William Penn community.
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.
William Penn University proudly recognized Madison Lantz-Farris as the recipient of the 2026 Emerging Young Leader Award. A two-time Penn graduate and former student-athlete, Lantz-Farris has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her work in higher education and collegiate athletics. From representing student-athletes at the national level to serving as William Penn’s Director of Admissions, she continues to make an impact in her current role as Assistant Commissioner of Operations and Strategic Initiatives for the Heart of America Athletic Conference.
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.
William Penn University proudly recognized Cornel Johnson ’83 as the recipient of the 2026 Ed Thomas Award. With more than four decades of dedication to coaching and education, Johnson has made a lasting impact on high school track and field in New York City. From building championship-winning teams to mentoring athletes who have competed at the national and Olympic levels, his career reflects the values of faith, family and excellence that define the legacy of Coach Ed Thomas ’72.
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.