Homecoming Awards

Gordon alumni are making an impact for Christ all around the globe in their communities, churches and careers. Each year, a handful of remarkable individuals are honored with awards to recognize their impactful work and faithfulness to Christ.

A. J. Gordon Missionary Service Award

Given for faithful service and integrity and maintaining a steadfast commitment to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Erin Nehre Headshot

2024 Awardee: Erin (Thompson) Nehre '01

Erin (Thompson) Nehre ’01 is a missionary educator with the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS). After graduating from Gordon she started her first teaching assignment, in Seoul, South Korea. Over the years Erin has taught with NICS in Lima, Peru; Nagoya, Japan; and, for the last 12 years, Nairobi, Kenya. In her post at West Nairobi School, Erin uses AP math and physics classes as a platform for illuminating biblical principles. In addition to setting high academic standards, she wants students to know they are created in God's image for a purpose. She helps her students grasp that math and science are not manmade creations, and we can learn a tremendous amount about God through their study. The students in Erin's classes come from around the world, and many are from nations that are closed to the Gospel. In Erin’s classes these students hear biblical truth and take that truth back with them to their home countries. While most students begin taking Erin's classes for graduation credits, many discover untapped talent and passion in math and physics and go on to pursue careers in STEM fields. Erin, her husband Timothy (who teaches Bible) and their three sons (14, 12 and 9 years old) plan to continue teaching and sharing truth in Nairobi until God directs them elsewhere.

Past Awardees

2023: Jamie Charles '80B
2022: Barbara (Gration) Harbert ’76
2021/2020: John Mbiti ’57B
2019: Rich ’92 and Marla ’91 Henderson
2018: Paul ’81 and Lucinda ’79 Bentley
2017: Stephen ’82 and Sharon ’83 Cushing
2016: Deighton and Alice Douglin ’50PBI
2015: Edward Brown ’75
2014: Artis Dixon ’62B
2013: Diane Holzmann ’75
2012: Rachel Simons ’02
2011: Robert and Heidi Winslow ’97
2010: Ernest Komanapalli ’64B and Sudarshan Komanapalli ’88
2009: Herbert Boyd ’52
2008: Alice Childs ’63
2007: Alberta Simms ’43 and Matha Simms ’59
2006: Marcia Duncan ’65 and Scott MacGregor ’67
2005: Russ Reinert ’61
2004: Robert ’49 and Joan ’57 Brain
2003: Norman and Jacquelyn Friberg ’82
2002: Charles Harvey ’54
2001: Marjorie Buck ’50
2000: George and Martha Kelsey ’50B
1999: Robert ’54 and Margaret ’53 Bennett
1998: Roger and Ellen Bailey ’48B
1997: Russell ’68 and Ramona ’69 Simons
1996: Judith Kee ’57
1995: Juanita Simpson ’48B
1994: Francella Woods ’48B and Edith Woods ’48B
1993: Hugh Smith ’53
1992: Richard Winchell ’50
1991: John Gration ’50
1990: Ralph and Polly Brown ’50
1989: James Collins ’71
1988: Charles Davis ’56

Gordon Alumni of the Year Award

Given for outstanding achievement and embodiment of the Gordon mission through a life of leadership and service, as well as recognition by peer and persons outside his or her profession.

Anan Copty Headshot

2024 Awardee: Anan Copty '94

After working for a decade at Intel Corporation, Anan Copty ’94 felt called to leave his job in the semiconductor industry and start his own company. Anan had lost a few friends to cancer, and he decided to focus on developing a medical device to treat cancerous tumors.Anan’s award-winning startup company, SynergyMed, developed a noninvasive approach to treat cancerous tumors. He loves teaching entrepreneurship and technology courses and sees entrepreneurship as a leadership approach to solving problems in God’s Kingdom. Working and living in a part of the world that is rich with culture, yet often stricken with conflict, Anan’s vision is for a company that hires individuals from diverse backgrounds—Christian, Muslims, Jews, Palestinians, Israelis—to work together to promote human flourishing. Anan holds a Ph.D. in physics from Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a master’s degree from Boston College. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife and is the proud father of two children, ages 18 and 20. His daughter, Yasmeen ’28, is a current student at Gordon.

Past Awardees

2023: Francis K. Brown II '85
2022: John “Jack” L. Good III ’66
2021/2020: Michael Messenger ’90
2019: Deborah Lawrence Swallow ’74
2018: Nathan Uebelhoer ’92
2017: Ted Lucas ’88
2016: Laura Fastie-Grapshi ’81
2015: Scott Williamson ’86
2014: Dante Rutstrom ’80
2013: Richard Malloch ’75
2012: K. David Goss ’74
2011: Carrie Tibbles ’93
2010: Karin Coonrod ’76
2009: Eugene Neville ’69B
2008: Bruce ’77 and Linda ’78 Wilkinson
2007: Christian Smith ’83
2006: James Roberts ’66B
2005: R. Preston Mason ’85
2004: Harold Hoehner ’58B
2003: Charles Mackenzie ’46
2002: Clarence Jordon ’53B
2001: Randall Collins ’67
2000: K. William Kautz ’76
1999: Carol Anderson ’79B
1998: Charles March ’80
1997: Kenneth Curtis ’61
1996: Gordon Hall ’81
1995: James Hunter ’77
1994: Ernest Sillars ’35
1993: Leonard Edwards ’35
1992: Herman Smith ’70
1991: Priscilla Leavitt ’62B
1990: Everett Fullam ’55
1989: Edwin Jacques ’29
1988: Lucille Ramish ’52
1987: Gordon Loux ’62
1986: Arthur Gay ’59
1985: F. Grace Pierson ’33
1984: Carl Armerding ’57
1983: Donald Gill ’49
1982: Silke Hansen ’65
1981: Marjorie Awalt ’59
1980: Donald Tweedie ’50
1979: John Keith ’54, Lloyd Kalland ’42, R. Nelson Muir ’19
1978: Veronica Lanier ’54
1977: Paul Pretiz ’49
1976: Stanley Allaby ’53
1975: Harold Pillsbury ’52
1974: George Sweeting ’48
1973: Nathan Goff ’49
1972: Arthur Whitaker ’49
1971: Mary Maxim ’39
1970: Carrie Tarbell ’22
1969: Joseph Bubar ’68
1968: Elmer Murdoch ’25
1967: John Nichol ‘49
1966: Lewis Brown ’23
1965: William Gavin
1964: Wesley Huber ’23
1963: Winifred Currie ’45
1962: Stanley Washburn ’41
1961: Eric Frykenberg ’37
1960: Kenneth Pike ’33
1959: Frank Tobey ’29
1958: Clyde Taylor ’31
1957: Merrill Tenney ’27
1956: James Rider ’27

Gordon Young Alumni of the Year Award

Given for a life of servant leadership and significant contribution to the workplace and community.

Florecita Mejia Headshot

2024 Awardee: Florecita Mejía '08

Florecita Mejía ’08 graduated from Gordon College as a Clarendon Scholar with a double major in business administration and accounting. She began her career in accounting at BNY Mellon in Everett, MA, where she was actively involved in the company's affinity group, IMPACT, which fosters an inclusive workplace by emphasizing recruitment, retention and professional development of multicultural employees. As her career progressed she participated in an IMPACT programs to mentor junior employees. In 2017 Florecita was awarded the company's prestigious STARS award for her commitment to excellence and leadership. She also served as a mentor in Boston HERC's program to help inner city students reach their academic potential and pursue higher education. This role was particularly important for Florecita, as she was once one of the mentees who greatly benefited from the program. In 2018 Florecita participated in the launch of Gordon's Finance and Faith Forum, which brought together Christian business alumni to share how faith plays a role in their careers. Florecita and her family moved to San Antonio, TX, in 2019, and she continues to work for BNY and virtually support IMPACT and Boston HERC. She and her husband are actively involved in their church community and lead a family group aimed at helping young families grow in their faith. Florecita received an MBA from Lasell University in 2015 and a Project Manager Graduate Certificate from Boston University in 2021.

Past Awardees

2023: Adam '12, '14 M.Ed. and Katie (Wholley) '14 Quinn
2022: Freda Obeng-Ampofo ’08
2021/2020: Michael Bailey ’06
2019: Nicholas ’09 and Ashley ’10 Schultz
2018: Katie Thompson ’12
2017: Jessie Saintcyr ’02
2016: Rob and Gina Bradley ’01
2015: William Park ’95
2014: Santiago Sedaca ’94
2013: Joshua ’95 and Sara ’94 Martinelli
2012: Prashan DeVisser ’08
2011: Owen Webb ’03
2010: Ryan McDonnell ’04

Jack Good Community Service Award

Given for outstanding, faithful and dedicated service in areas beyond personal vocation, modeling Christian servanthood to the local community.

Jim Hoyt Headshot

2024 Awardee: Jim Hoyt '76B

Jim Hoyt ’76B graduated from Barrington College with a degree in health and physical education. Since then Jim has built an impactful 48-year career with the Boys & Girls Club (BGC) of Pawtucket, RI, with over 20 of those years as CEO. In May 2024 Jim was awarded the BGC of America’s Masters and Mentors Award at their national conference, one of the highest honors a BGC professional can receive. Jim has had an extraordinary impact on leadership development within the BGC of Pawtucket. Recognized for always putting the kids first, he has been a mentor for many in the BGC movement. He’s known by all the staff for his enthusiasm, intentional approach to relationship-building and willingness to roll up his sleeves and be involved on every level. Jim lives in Pawtucket with his wife, Elizabeth ’75.

Past Awardees

2023: Mark Panjwani '91
2022: Megan (Footit) Lietz ’09
2021/2020: Schuyler Anderson ’14
2019: Sada Andrews ’01
2018: Andrea Polnaszek ’94
2017: Mark Emblidge ’75
2016: Donn Truax ’99
2015: Reginald Nichols ’79
2014: David O’Connor ’88
2013: Richard ’58 and Carol ’57 Visser
2012: Paul Lorentsen ’85
2011: Jason Revilla ’01 and James Grumbine ’01
2010: Paul ’95 and Glenna ’94 Malkemes
2009: Melissa Winchell ’99
2008: Laura Kroll ’81
2007: Dana ’93 and Brandi ’92 Bates
2006: Darlene Kuzmak ’74
2005: John Cissel ’85
2004: John ’63B and Joanne ’61B Shenning
2003: Frank Kik ’58
2002: Dicksie Mathison ’61B
2001: F. Stanley Keehlwetter ’69
2000: E. Naomi Craig ’81B
1999: Alynne MacLean ’86
1998: Richard Rung ’53
1997: Barbara Rogers ’65B
1996: Bonny Loring ’87
1995: Midge Denham ’77
1994: Warren Sawyer ’57
1993: Joseph Pouliot ’50
1992: Ethel Dixon ’37
1991: Robert Carter ’52
1990: Nadjia Varney ’59B
1989: Anna Lisa Madiera ’42B
1988: Florence Winsor ’56
1987: Lydie Noel ’58B
1986: A. Kennth Curtis ’61
1985: Kenneth Bowen ’49
1984: Doris Morgan ’56
1983: Eugene Case ’65
1982: Russell Copeland Jr. ’60
1981: Isabella Revenell ’35
1980: Haddon Klingberg ’62
1979: Glenn Warren ’66
1978: Jack Good ’66

Margaret C. Wright Memorial Award

Given to an education alum working with an underserved population to provide funds to both the alum and their school.

Kim Thornburn Headshot

2024 Awardee: Kimberlee Thorburn '06, '16M

Kimberlee Thorburn ’06 ’16M is making a difference through education in more ways than one. For many students—especially in underserved areas like the one where Thorburn works in Lynn, MA—life can be chaotic. Having a teacher who is steady, predictable and safe can be a grounding force of good in their lives, so Kim draws her strength from Christ, the Solid Rock. The vast majority of Thorburn’s kindergarten students are English language learners, with nearly one-third of them knowing little to no English. Despite the odds Thorburn set high goals for herself and her students: to teach at least 83 percent of them to identify 22 of 26 alphabet letter sounds by April. During the first testing in October 2023, none of her students met this benchmark. But by April 2024, 87 percent of her students met or surpassed the goal when they were tested again. Kim believes her job as a teacher goes beyond helping kids and includes their families and the entire community as well, which is why she also fosters children in need of care.

Past Awardees

2023: Rebekah Dostie '20
2022: Angie Epplett
2021: Aleah Tarnoviski
2020: Jessica Cochran

Winifred Currie Award in Education

Given for outstanding service to the education field and the community and for serving as a distinguished role model to peers, friends and students.

Brian Forget Headshot

2024 Awardee: Brian Forget '95

Brian Forget ’95 began his service to the students and families of the Triton Regional School District the fall after he graduated from Gordon, and he has remained there for his nearly 30-year career. Brian began his educational journey as an instructional assistant at Pine Grove School before moving on to be a third- and fourth-grade teacher in the same school. In 2001 he transitioned to leadership, first as an assistant principal and then principal of Newbury Elementary School. A few years later Brian moved into Triton’s district office as the business manager. He became assistant superintendent in 2010 and superintendent in 2016, where he remains today. Brian’s has served on the boards of directors for numerous area educational organizations, and he spent a short time as an adjunct professor in the Gordon Graduate School of Education. The core value of “Excellence for All” is the driver for Brian’s career, with a deep conviction that “all” truly means all. Outside of his busy job, Brian enjoys nothing more than time with his family. He lives in Groveland with his wife, Heidi, and his daughter and son, Molly ’24 and Max ’28. Heidi serves Gordon as the associate dean of clinical education and a therapist in the Center for Student Counseling and Wellness.

Past Awardees

2023: Jordan Heckelmann '15, '18 M.Ed.
2022: Marie Patfoort ’67
2021/2020: Pam Heintz ’89
2019: Beth Mollenhauer ’94
2018: Christopher Brooks ’93
2017: Mina Deckert ’87
2016: William Stevens Jr. ’71
2015: Ann Seavey ’75
2014: Carolyn Cassidy ’62
2013: Janet Arndt ’68
2012: Robert and Marion Hughey ’50B
2011: Harry Hesketh Jr. ’63
2010: Russell Steponic ’89
2009: Gary Schmidt ’89
2008: Glenn Olson ’83
2007: Marilyn ’68B and James Cooney
2006: Ann Young ’66B
2005: Vincent Carbone ’83
2004: Rosemarie Buote ’62B
2003: Mary Beth Cofsky ’77
2002: Barbara Campbell ’68B
2001: Margaret Ford ’71B
2000: Yvonne Watkins ’60
1999: Mary Cowperthwaite ’69
1998: Earl Berg ’68

Lifetime Achievement Award

Given to an alum or friend for a lifetime of service to the College, its community and mission.

Jan Carlberg headshot

2024 Awardee: Janice Dawn Jensen Carlberg

Although it is often said that Jan Carlberg is a preacher’s daughter, she is actually the daughter of two preachers: her pastor-father, Harold Jensen, and Margaret Jensen, popular author of inspirational Christian books. Jan grew up with an abundance of biblical themes and stories (including the tales and wisdom of her Norwegian grandmother, Ella Tweten) and wove them together into her own unique voice.

The Hungry Heart: Daily Devotions from the Old Testament (Hendrickson, 1997), comprises 366 devotions based on, as Jan puts it, “People with hungry hearts. But I also found that God has a hungry heart for his children. He longs for them to spend time with him, talking and listening.”

In The Welcome Song: And Other Stories from a Place Called Home (Fleming Revell, 1999), Jan turned the love and warmth of her own upbringing into an invitation to readers to heal from the wounds of yesterday, create homes where love lives today and live out the good news of the gospel. 

A lifelong student of the Scriptures, Jan was the first director of women’s ministries at Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA, where she taught the Joy Bible Study and initiated events such as the Faith Lift.

Her work on the board of directors of Vision New England included being a warm and captivating emcee at their annual Congress gathering in Boston, which welcomed over 2,000 New England Christians each winter. Speaking to thousands, Jan could make you feel she was your personal friend.  

Jan’s long tenure at Gordon College began in 1978, when her husband, Jud, was the academic dean and Jan worked in student development. Jan had taught grades 8–12 in public schools for six years and loved young people, especially teenagers. When Gordon President Richard Gross said to Dean of Students Stan Gaede, “We need to do something to keep students on campus on weekends. And we need to do more during Orientation,” Jan and then-Hall Director (now Trustee) Sam Schreiner co-directed a reimagined student Orientation.

As Sam recalls, “Jan brought her soaring creativity to a relatively blank canvas. Jan’s inspiration to dream big was harnessed to my practical skills to make it happen, which evolved into taking 400 students to Boston. Extra train cars were added to the B&M line to accommodate 400 weekend passengers. Only two students were (temporarily) lost that day. A passionate Red Sox fan, Jan also made sure the arriving freshmen had an ice cream night served in plastic Red Sox hats instead of bowls.”

As student activities director, Jan fit the role beautifully. “While students smacked me in the face with a pie,” Stan remembers, “they gave Jan whatever she wanted! What she provided was a rare blend of creativity, conscience and care. She created [an event with] dancing faculty before dancing was even ‘legal’ at Gordon. She confronted students with the truth, even when they didn’t want to hear it. And it worked. Because she cared.”

“Out of that job came the idea of creating the Black and Blue Review,” Jan recalls. “It was a spoof of the students’ Blue and White variety show. Those weeks of rehearsing together brought joy bubbling up, spreading goodwill within the family of this place Jud and I loved to call home.”

As first lady of Gordon College from 1992–2011, Jan forged her own memorable legacy, marked by prolific writing; passionate storytelling; hosting hundreds of gatherings at Wilson House; and using her gift of empathy to reach students, staff and faculty with kind words, notes of encouragement or a shoulder to lean on.

The Carlbergs operated as a diligent and enthusiastic team. As former Dean of Students Barry Loy put it, “Adam and Eve, Batman and Robin, Ben and Jerry, Barbie and Ken, Tarzan and Jane—like other great partnerships throughout history, the dynamic duo of Jud and Jan Carlberg, both children of preachers, greatly influenced the lives of Gordon students, faculty and staff.”

In her non-retirement Jan continues to exercise her leadership gifts as a member of the vestry of Christ Church of Hamilton and Wenham, and she continues to speak and write. Begun during Jud’s final illness in 2014, Jan’s Caring Bridge entries became a blog, Notes from Jan. In 600-some posts so far Jan has written on matters ranging from world peace to mammograms.

In May 2015 Gordon College awarded Jan an honorary doctorate—Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa—for her “compassionate, encouraging spirit, her insightful communication of the gospel message and her profound commitment to Gordon College’s central principle of servant leadership.”

Jan is quick to point out that her relationships with her children, Heather and Chad, along with their spouses, Matt and Kristina, and grandchildren Lily, Luke, Maggie Blue, Basil and Kate (Poco) “make titles and accolades seem extraneous. They are such a part of whatever I’ve contributed to this old world. They continue to bring the gift of their love, perspective, experiences and dreams.”

In 2001 (written on the occasion of her and Jud’s 25th year at Gordon, and still true), Jan stated that, “The days our family spends together at the beach help me understand why a place like Gordon College values Homecoming. It’s important to connect with people who’ve helped you become who you are. And part of why Jud and I referred to Gordon as ‘the place we love to call home’ is because it’s a place of grace. Fresh starts can happen at any stage in our lives. And I believe something significant can happen when we return to a place and a people who knew us back when.”

Past Awardees

2022: Bruce Herman
2021/2020: Russell Bjork
2019: Paul Helgesen
2018: Bert Hodges
2015: Roger Green
2014: Barry and Donna Loy
2013: Richard and Jody Gross
2012: Marvin Wilson
2011: Ted Wood
2008: Peter Stine
2007: Margaret Jensen
2006: William and Lillian Harper
2005: Ann Ferguson
2004: David Sweet
2003: John Beauregard
2001: Peter Blackwell
1999: Marion Bean
1998: Dick Wright, Grady Spires and Russell Bishop
1997: Davis Franz

Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Given for exemplary vision, charisma, courage, determination, resourcefulness, hardwork, creativity and innovation.

Past Awardees

2023: Katherine Forbes-Smith '96 and Noelle Guerin '02
2022: Dr. Samuel Sennott ’04
2021/2020: Janine Halloran ’00
2019: Joshua Sturgeon ’07
2018: Kevin ’09 and Kathryn ’10 Grant
2017: Kaitlyn Trabucco ’07
2016: Kristina Stevick ’98
2015: Robert Weil ’85B
2014: Francis Vigeant ’04

Barrington Alumni of the Year Award

Given to a Barrington alum for outstanding achievement and for honoring the legacy of Barrington College mission through a life of leadership and service, as well as recognition by peer and persons outside his or her profession.

Past Awardees

1983: Marion Puryear ’58B
1982: J. Herbert Kane ’53B
1981: David Horner ’71B
1980: Terrelle Crum ’39B
1978: Donald Brown ’47B
1977: William Hoyt ’45B
1976: Marion Bean ’50B
1975: Terrelle Crum ’39B
1974: John Speicher ’65B
1972: Carl Hatch ’53B
1971: T. Lawrence Gilbert ’54B
1970: Ronald Nash ’58B
1969: Carlton Gregory ’39B
1968: Carl Burke ’47B