Celebrating Alumni—Distinguished Service Awards

Geneva College educates students to equip them for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor. To alumni who have been nominated for embodying this principle, and whose efforts on behalf of the college, the community and the nation have been exemplary, the college presents Distinguished Service Awards during the Homecoming All-Alumni Brunch each year.

The 2013 Distinguished Service Award recipients are:

Joyce (Ciletti ′75) Bender

After experiencing a life-threatening accident that left her with a diagnosis of epilepsy and a 60 percent hearing loss in one ear, Joyce established Bender Consulting Services, a firm dedicated to recruiting and hiring people with disabilities. And her efforts have had a national impact: she received the 1999 President′s Award, was selected for the 2003 Bush Administration New Freedom Initiative Award, and her company even worked with the U.S. Office of Personnel management to help staff a database of Americans with disabilities. In addition, Joyce conducts an annual leadership conference at Geneva for high school students with disabilities.

Charles Hartzell ′63, Ph.D.

Charles has held a number of teaching positions throughout his career, at Pennsylvania State University, the University of Delaware and Thomas Jefferson University. He was also the Director of Research at Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children and The Nemours Children's Clinics. Charles has had over 90 published papers and 60 abstracts. He has also worked with the Health Science Council for NASA, Find-a-Cure, Inc., Spina Bifida Association of America and Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community.

Dave B. Layton′88 (MAHE ′98)

Dave is Geneva′s Associate Vice President for Enrollment, and has spent 25 years faithfully serving the college. He believes in servant-leadership, which is evident by his actions across campus, and daily strives to discern God′s direction in both his personal life and work. Dave has impacted the lives of thousands of students and helped to shape the public image of Geneva. In addition to working at the college, Dave also serves as an elder and college ministry leader at Pathway Church, as well as a member of the Beaver County Christian School Board.

Distinguished Service Awards were first awarded in 1954. Joyce, Charles and Dave join 310 other alumni whose service has been recognized over the past 60 years.

All alumni are invited to join us for the presentation of the Distinguished Service Awards at the All-Alumni Brunch. The brunch is at 10 a.m. during Homecoming on October 19. Come to congratulate the recipients who are able to attend, as well as reconnect with classmates and former professors. The cost is $10 per person, $5 for children ages 3 -12, and reservations are required.

To make a reservation for the All-Alumni Brunch, and to explore all the Homecoming activities, visit http://www.geneva.edu/object/homecoming2013.