Alumni Awards

We are proud of our alumni, and we want to take the opportunity each year to honor their achievements. The Alumni Achievement Award, the Young Alumni Achievement Award and the Alumni Service Award are presented each year to showcase the contributions made by our alumni. Each award is presented to a TU graduate who meets the following criteria: display strong personal integrity and character and volunteer service to their community and society.

Nominations

The nomination period closed on April 30, 2024.

Alumni Achievement Award

The Alumni Achievement Award is awarded to an alumni for their achievements, leadership and contributions to their profession or field of study, their community, and their alma mater. To be eligible for the Alumni Achievement Award, the individual must be a living graduate of Tiffin University for a minimum of 15 years. 

The nominations are vetted and selected by the Alumni Association Board award sub-committee. Awards are presented during Green & Gold – Homecoming & Family Weekend.

2024 Recipient – Eugene Spiess

Gene was a member of Phi Theta Pi Fraternity for four years and was elected President of the Delta Beta Chapter. He was awarded the Outstanding Student Leadership Award upon Graduation at Tiffin University. He graduated from Tiffin University in 1971 with a degree in business administration.

Gene was inducted into Phi Delta Kappa at Eastern Tennessee State which is a Honorary Educational Fraternity. In 1996 at Ivy Tech in Indianapolis he was named Seminar Leader at Holme Institute of Phi Theta Kappa. In 2000 he was selected as the Statewide Director of Honors Organizations in Indiana and later named the Most Distinguished Regional Co-ordinator. In 2001 Gene was endowed with a scholarship that was established in his name at Ivy Tech and also received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award. This award is issued by the State Governor and is the highest civilian award in the State of Indiana.

Dr. Spiess has been an outstanding member of Lions International since 1979 and continues to maintain his membership today. Dr. Spiess was the District Governor of Lions International and in 2010 was selected as one of 34 Lions in the entire world to serve as a member of International Board of Directors Worldwide. In 2011 he was awarded the highest honor of Lions International as the Ambassador of Goodwill.

In 2016 he received the Order of the Silver Crest for contributions and friendship throughout the State of South Carolina under the Order of the Palmetto from Governor Nikki Haley.

As a Lifetime member of Phi Theta Pi International Honorary Commerce Fraternity at Tiffin University, he was elected to the Grand Board of Governors and served on the Grand Board from 1972-1980. He was selected as Outstanding Brother for his leadership and dedication on several occasions.

He has been a Lifetime member of Phi Theta Pi Honorary Business Fraternity since 1967 and is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

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Young Alumni Achievement Award

The Young Alumni Achievement Award is presented to honor the achievements of young alumni whose lives exemplify high principles, and who are outstanding leaders in their profession and community. To be eligible for the Young Alumni Achievement Award, a person must be a graduate of Tiffin University within the last 15 years. 

The nominations are vetted and selected by the Alumni Association Board award sub-committee. Awards are presented during Green & Gold – Homecoming & Family Weekend.

2024 Recipient – Danielle Dores

Danielle Dores, LPC is the founder and owner of Partners in Growth Counseling and Wellness located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Danielle has a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling as well as a Master of Arts in School Counseling. Before opening her business, Danielle observed a significant lack of mental health services in her area. This inspired Danielle to pursue her ambition of opening her psychotherapy practice, which focuses on helping individuals, couples, and families through difficult transitions and mental health challenges. Danielle and her team utilize evidence-based interventions, personalized to suit the distinct needs of each client as well as providing tailored psychoeducational for schools and youth programs in the area.

While at TU, Danielle was a four-year student-athlete, playing volleyball for the Dragons. She now shares two beautiful boys with her husband James, who was also a TU Dragon for the Men’s Soccer Team.

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Alumni Service Award

The Alumni Service Award is awarded to an alumni in recognition of their dedication to the University through service in alumni programs, on advisory committees, and through efforts made to ensure the welfare of the institution. 

The nominations are vetted and selected by the Alumni Association Board award sub-committee. Awards are presented during Green & Gold – Homecoming & Family Weekend.

2024 Recipient – Martha Jerew

Marti has been dedicated to helping students at Tiffin University for the last 20 years. She helped her classmates with seeking a career in Corrections while they were attending Tiffin University. She began teaching as an adjunct professor after graduating in 2005, from Tiffin University, with a Master of Science Degree. Currently, she helps her students explore a career in corrections while working as an affiliate professor. She has arranged prison tours for the students at Tiffin University almost every semester since working for Tiffin University. Marti also has enjoyed helping students research and attending research conferences.

Marti retired from the Ohio Department of Corrections in 2018 after working 32 years of service. Marti started her career as a corrections officer at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio in 1986. She ended her career in 2018 as a Unit Manager at Marion Correctional Institution in Marion, Ohio. During her career, Marti worked as a public information officer, victim advocate, hostage negotiator and a disturbance control team member. One of her most memorable experiences in her career was when she facilitated the first ever farther daughter dance inside a male prison.

Marti was born in Marion, Ohio. She has lived in Marion her entire life, except for a few years spent in North Carolina while husband, Roger, was serving in the Marine Corps during those years. Marti and Roger were high school sweethearts and have been married 42 years. They have 2 daughters and 8 grandchildren. One daughter lives in Marion, Ohio with her husband and 5 children. Their younger daughter currently lives in Alabama with her husband and three children.

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To be considered for the awards, an individual must first be nominated. Nominations can be offered by anyone except the person being nominated. All nominations must be received in the Office of Alumni Relations by the designated deadline. As noted, the recipient must be present on campus to receive the award, barring any extenuating circumstances.

Nomination forms for the Alumni Awards can be obtained from the Alumni Office by calling 419.448.3595 or clicking on the links above when active. Nominations will be kept on file and reviewed annually for five years.

Past Alumni Award Recipients