African humanitarian activist Samuel Pieh has received the University of Indianapolis Distinguished Alumni Award for 2010.
Pieh, a Sierra Leone native who received his bachelor’s degree in biology from UIndy in 1972, has an extensive background of not-for-profit work to improve life for residents of West Africa. He has served as executive director of the Christian Health Association of Sierra Leone, which provides affordable healthcare services in his home country, and of Mid-South Africa Link, which supports African causes through partnerships with schools, businesses and other institutions. Pieh currently lives in Virginia, where he works as housing coordinator for the U.S. Embassy in Liberia.
The UIndy Alumni Association announced awards to Pieh and other alumni Friday night during its annual Honors & Recognition Banquet in Schwitzer Student Center, part of the university’s Alumni Weekend festivities. Other recipients included:
Distinguished Young Alumni Award –
Andy Hammond, Class of 2006
Hammond, who works as a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in Indianapolis, has been a role model for UIndy students, returning to campus often to speak, to mentor members of the Finance Club and to provide guidance on career preparation. Elsewhere, he serves on the boards of the Community First Initiative and Granny Annie’s Charity Pies and is a committee member for the St. Francis Healthcare Foundation.
Gene & Joanne Sease Award – Orvall McCleary, Class of 1949, and Martha Dean
The award is presented annually to a couple who support UIndy in the manner of former university president Gene Sease and his wife. McCleary’s generosity has benefited student scholarships, the construction of McCleary Chapel on campus, and the creation and installation of “Ace,” the proud greyhound mascot sculpture that graces an entrance to Schwitzer Student Center. He and Dean live in Fort Myers, Fla.
Honorary Alumni Award – Lisa Berger
Berger, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing, has influenced countless aspiring nurses in her 20-plus years on the faculty. Known for making classroom work engaging and relevant, she also serves as faculty adviser to the campus chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
Distinguished Faculty/Staff Alumni Award – Peter Noot, Class of 1977 and 1984
A UIndy staff member for more than 30 years, Noot currently serves as university editor and director of the Office of Publications, with responsibilities that include the content and design of UIndy’s magazines, brochures, catalogs and other print and online communications.
Harvey M. Showalter Future Alumni Award – Curtis Ward, Class of 2010
Ward, who grew up in Brookville, Ind., was an active student leader while majoring in political science and international business at UIndy. Most notably, he served as president of the nationally recognized campus chapter of College Mentors for Kids, which serves 90 middle and high school students in the Indianapolis area.
