2023 Alumni Citations: Honoring Achievement and Service
From June 1-4, 2023, more than 500 Denison alums from 17 classes returned to campus to celebrate Reunion. As part of this signature annual event, alums from across the country and around the world reconnected with classmates and friends, revisited and honored the past, and above all, reignited their Denison pride. On the Saturday of Reunion Weekend, alums gathered in Swasey Chapel for the Alumni Convocation and to receive an update from University President Adam Weinberg on the state of the college.
In keeping with tradition, during Convocation, the college awarded the Alumni Citation, the highest honor bestowed upon Denisonians. Honorees were recognized for their professional accomplishments, service to their communities, and service to Denison.
Since its inception in 1949, 568 distinguished alums have been honored. This year, Denison presented 13 distinguished Denison alums with the Citation.
James G. Thorne ’63
Retired Business Executive and Leadership Coach
For 18 years, Jim Thorne operated The Thorne Group in Indianapolis, a leadership coaching and consulting firm helping individuals and teams in public and private companies, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations to create value for their businesses. He boasts a successful corporate and personnel management career while remaining active in his community with his wife, Jayne. Click to read Jim’s complete citation history.
Margaret Hughes Rakowsky ’65
Retired Chemist and Educator
Marge Rakowsky leads a life devoted to education and service. While teaching high school chemistry in Solon, Ohio, she celebrated the first Earth Day by organizing an all-school, town-hall-style event. Marge has taught at colleges and high schools across the country, including the U.S. Air Force Academy, where she taught for 19 years until her retirement in 2016. She and her husband, Ron ’66, who received a Citation in 1996, have remained committed to Denison and their community. Click to read Marge’s complete citation biography.
Bruce E. Behrens ’66
Retired Finance Executive
Throughout his career, Bruce has been an active volunteer and philanthropist in his community. He has remained a faithful and loyal donor to the Denison Annual Fund and an active and engaged Denisonian since graduating. He and his wife, Polly, are deeply committed to issues of affordability and opportunity in education, establishing a fund for Denison students to participate in life-changing study abroad opportunities at Denison, regardless of financial means. Click to read Bruce’s complete citation biography.
Bruce S. Bailey ’67
Retired Attorney
Though now retired, Bruce Bailey served as a practicing attorney for more than 47 years, arguing cases at the local, state, and national levels. Bruce is deeply connected to his community. He is a certified Court Appointed Special Advocate and has volunteered his time to help children at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. He remains connected to Denison, serving in a multitude of ways. Click to read Bruce’s complete citation biography.
Sue Douthit O’Donnell ’67
Retired Accounting Executive
Since her retirement, Sue has spent much of her time seeking to improve nutrition knowledge and advice. Additionally, she and her husband, Bob, are co-founders and directors of the O’Donnell Foundation, a nonprofit that supports education and community initiatives. Philanthropy is important to Sue, and she continually gives back to her community. She has served in many volunteer roles and continues to impact the lives of current and future Denisonians. Click to read Sue’s complete citation biography.
Richard M. Seils ’67
College and High School Educator and Administrator
In 2017, Rich Seils was awarded the Varsity D Association Citation in recognition of an outstanding career devoted to developing young people through sports. Along with his professional accomplishments and commitment to the community, Rich has maintained an extraordinary devotion to his alma mater for over half a century, with his service to Denison taking many forms. Click to read Rich’s complete citation biography.
Ronald C. Baldwin ’68
Retired Banking Executive
Ron Baldwin is a 40-plus-year banking and financial services veteran with a depth of experience in managing growth and innovation in retail banking. In addition to his background in the financial industry, Ron is a military veteran, serving as an officer in the United States Coast Guard. Wherever Ron has lived and worked, he has been deeply involved in his local community. He has served on the boards of the United Way in Milwaukee and Columbus, the Milwaukee Art Museum, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and Habitat for Humanity, and he is a mentor for Take Stock in Children in Lee County, Florida. Click to read Ron’s complete citation biography.
Laura J. Enos ’68
Entrepreneur
In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Laura is an active member of her community in San Francisco. She has represented the city on the San Francisco Bay and Conservation Commission. Laura served for 19 years as a trustee and city commissioner of the Asian Art Museum and 10 years as the president of the San Francisco chapter of the National Junior Tennis League, founded by the late Arthur Ashe to introduce inner-city youth to the game of tennis. Her service and support do not stop there. Laura continues to give back to her alma mater and the Denison community. Click to read Laura’s complete citation biography.
Susan Jakust Dalton ’73
Author
Susan turned her expansive knowledge of antique prints, vintage maps, historical photos, and collective memorabilia into a successful retail marketing career before becoming a prolific nonfiction author. She also serves as a board member emerita of Mountainfilm, a documentary film festival held annually in Telluride, Colorado, and has supported Denison in various capacities over the years. Click to read Susan’s complete citation biography.
Christopher H. Bartlett ’83
Finance Executive
Chris Bartlett is a partner, a member of the executive team, and currently serves as the chief investment officer for investment risk and co-head of the institutional business at Brown Advisory, an independent investment management and strategic advisory firm in Baltimore. He serves his community locally and nationally as chairman of the Baltimore Symphony Endowment Trust, a mentor at the Commit Foundation, and board secretary of the U.S. Lacrosse Foundation. In addition to his broader volunteer work, Chris has remained true to his Denison roots, advancing the college in numerous ways. Click to read Chris’ complete citation biography.
Joanne Passano Bartlett ’83
Former Educator and Coach
Joanne Bartlett is a former teacher who continues to support educational organizations. From 2013-2019, she proudly served as a trustee at the St. Paul’s School for Girls. Joanne was the chair of the governance and trustee committee and the board chair, during which time she was instrumental in the ‘unification’ of the St. Paul’s School and the St. Paul’s School for Girls. She continues her involvement by assisting in campaign fundraising for the St. Paul’s Schools. And, like her husband, Chris ’83, she has continued to remain faithful to her Denison roots by volunteering and serving the college in various capacities. Click to read Joanne’s complete citation biography.
Amy Goslee DeWitt ’93
Community Volunteer
Amy Goslee DeWitt is an active and dedicated community volunteer in the Cincinnati area. She is vice-chair of the Seven Hills School Board of Trustees, where her children have attended and currently attend school. Amyalso is a member of the Women’s Committee of Cincinnati Parks, a group of civically minded leaders whose mission is to support neighborhood parks across the city. She continues to be a spirited and engaged member of the Denison alumni community alongside her husband, Andrew ’93. The couple has two Denisonian children. Click to read Amy’s complete citation biography.
Andrew E. DeWitt ’93
Business Leader
Andrew DeWitt is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Dewey’s Pizza, headquartered in Cincinnati. Andrew founded Dewey’s in 1998 and has grown the restaurant to over 25 locations lacrosse Cincinnati, Dayton, Cleveland, Columbus, St. Louis, and Kansas City. Andrew has served on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, the Ohio Regional Board for Teach for America, the Cincinnati Art Museum, and the King Records Legacy Foundation. Along with his wife, Amy ’93, the couple continues to engage with the Denison community. Click here to read Andrew’s complete citation biography.
Find more information about past recipients here.
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