2010 Alumni Awards

Christie "Chris" L. Heeter
GWC '85
Distinguished Alumna Award

Christie "Chris" L. Heeter, a 1985 graduate of George Williams College, received the Distinguished Alumna Award for her dedication to connecting people with nature.  A wilderness guide, published author, and professional speaker, Heeter has devoted her life to helping others discover their love of the outdoors.  Heeter's commitment to education, leadership, and service to others continues to inspire and connect people to nature, to themselves, and to others.

After graduating from GWC's Hyde Park campus, David Widner began a career with YMCAs in Oklahoma and Texas.  Widner served as the director of the Midland, Texas YMCA for ten years, making a lasting impact in the surrounding communities and setting the model for YMCAs throughout the southwest.  Widner mentored more than 10 young men who later became graduates of GWC. His service to Midland's High Sky Children's Ranch, whose purpose is dedicated to the healing of abused children, was recognized in 1996 when he received the Rainbow Award.

State Representative Tom Lothian of Williams Bay, Wisconsin has been involved in politics for more than 28 years, serving for eight years on the Williams Bay Village Board and for 12 years on the Walworth County Board prior to being elected to the State Assembly in 2002.  Lothian also taught and was an administrator for 36 years at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Representative Lothian has been deemed a caretaker for the communities surrounding the Geneva Lake area.  For his commitment to service to the Williams Bay community, Representative Tom Lothian was presented the GWC Spirit Award.

Darlene Lull, a 1959 graduate of Copley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, was presented with the Distinguished Alumna Award recognizing her achievements in the field of nursing.  Lull has worked in various nursing fields in the Fox Valley area, including oral surgery, pediatric nursing, private duty nursing, and long term care (LTC) nursing.  She has also worked for LTC facilities & Medicare & Medicaid facilities and for the Illinois Department of Public Health.

After graduating from Aurora College in 1965, Victoria "Tori" Reynolds has been an educator for over 36 years.  She has taught at the Oro Bible College in the Philippines, Newton Community High School in Iowa, Drake University in Iowa, and Yorkville High School in Illinois.  Reynolds remains active in her faith, traveling around the world for missionary work.

With strong family ties to Mendota College and Aurora College, Betty Jackson continued the tradition, showing her tremendous pride and fondness for AC.  Jackson honors her father, Roger Watkins, former Chairman of the Aurora College Board, by providing continued support of the university.