Ted Kay
Theodore “Ted” O. Kay ’71, an executive at General Motors, is receiving the Life G for his dedication to Geneva College and his lifetime of achievements.
Ted has worked at GM for 35 years. When he first started with the company, his responsibilities included hourly payroll timekeeping and filling out paperwork for accident claims and workers’ sick days. In his current position as finance manager of the Worldwide Facilities Group and vice-president of REALM and ENCORE, Ted oversees company operations totaling $1.7 billion.
Ted is president of Geneva’s Alumni Council, and he played a key role in helping to reinvigorate the group after years of inactivity. He received the Distinguished Service Award from Geneva in 2001, and GM has also recognized his leadership with its Crew, Captain, Chairman’s Honor, President’s Council, and Chairman’s Honor awards.
He has taught at the University of Michigan and recently guest lectured in two Geneva business classes. Ted is a member of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. He and his wife, Chevon, have a 16-year-old son, Anthony.
Elias Awad
Dr. Elias M. Awad ’56, a professor of management information systems at the University of Virginia, is being honored with a Distinguished Service Award for his lifetime of achievements.
Elias came to Geneva College from Syria and earned a bachelor’s degree in business. He holds master’s degrees in business administration and social psychology and a doctorate in organizational behavior.
His career as a teacher spans four decades and seven universities, and he has published 18 books and more than 70 articles on information systems. His work has been translated into six languages.
Elias has extensive experience as an international technology consultant. He helped build computer networks for central banks in 26 countries, including Cambodia, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia.
He is an elder at First Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. Elias lives in North Garden, Virginia, with his wife, Sandy. They have three grown children.
Louise Copeland
Louise E. Copeland ’66, an associate professor of music at Geneva College, is being honored with a Distinguished Service Award for her service to Geneva College and her community.
She has been involved in music education from the time of her graduation to the present. Along with her husband, Dr. Robert Copeland ’66, she has encouraged and mentored thousands of Geneva music students.
Louise is Geneva’s church and parent relations director, an adjunct associate professor of voice, and the director of Grace Notes and New Song. She also helps coordinate the annual Henry Mancini Musical Theatre Awards.
Louise served on the board of the Beaver County Christian School for nine years and currently serves on the board of Christians United of Beaver County. She has also been a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing since 1992.
Louise’s children are Dr. Thomas E. Copeland ’91, Anne L. Shaw ’95, and Kathryn Copeland, and six grandchildren.
Robert Copeland
Dr. Robert M. Copeland ’66, a professor of music at Geneva College, is being honored with a Distinguished Service Award for his service to Geneva and his community.
Robert taught music at Mid-America Nazarene College in Olathe, Kansas, from 1971 to 1981. He has served Geneva’s music department for 25 years, including a 19-year term as department chair and 25 years as director of the college’s choir, the Genevans.
He is an elder at the College Hill Reformed Presbyterian Church and is the only non-clergyman to have served as moderator for the synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America.
He holds a master’s degree in musicology and doctorate in music from the University of Cincinnati. During the Vietnam War era, Robert served in the U.S. Army at Fort Benning and sang in the Third Soldiers’ Chorus.
Robert and his wife, Louise, have three children, Dr. Thomas E. Copeland ’91, Anne L. Shaw ’95, and Kathryn Copeland, and six grandchildren.
Donald Hollerman
Donald E. Hollerman ’71, a high school guidance counselor for the Ellwood City Area School District, is being honored with a Distinguished Service Award for his lifetime commitment to his community.
Donald has served the Ellwood school district since 1971, when he started his career as a math teacher. He became a guidance counselor in 1982. He has also served as an assistant principal.
Over the years he has coordinated dozens of school activities, including producing and directing six musicals, directing 20 plays, coaching the softball team, and adviser to the
ski club.
He is also active in his community. Donald has worked with the March of Dimes, Boy Scouts of America, Big Brothers–Big Sisters, and the Bell Community Center.
Donald holds a bachelor’s degree in math education from Geneva and a master’s degree in education from Westminster College. He and his wife, Margaret, live in Ellwood City. They have three children, Robert, Richard, and Rebecca.
Ralph Kessler
Ralph A. Kessler ’66 is being honored with a Distinguished Service Award for his service to his church and the greater Pittsburgh area.
Ralph taught German in the Mt. Lebanon school district for 36 years. He volunteers at the South Hills Bible Church where he has led a small group Bible study for 35 years.
His community spirit has touched Geneva as well: In 2005, he led the Geneva Goes to Geneva tour of European Reformation sites.
In addition to teaching, Ralph served as director for the Mt. Lebanon–Duren student exchange program from 1984 to 2000. In 1996, he received the John Hopkins University Friedal and Otto Eberspacher Award for Excellence in the teaching of a modern western European language. Ralph’s community work includes providing photo displays for the Canonsburg and Peters Township public libraries.
His wife, Marguerite Taylor Kessler, graduated from Geneva in 1968. They have three children, Christa Perez, Greta Tylka, and Petra ’03, and three grandchildren.
