The University of Akron Wayne College Alumni Association is seeking nominations for its 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award. The nominated individual must have earned at least 30 credit hours at the Wayne College campus in Orrville. The recipient will be recognized during the Wayne College Graduate Recognition event on May 4, 2012 and their name will be added to a notable alumni plaque in the Student Life Building at Wayne College.

Susan Mendenhall was presented the award last year. Mendenhall earned her associate degree in criminal justice from Wayne College in 1976. She returned to Wayne in 1978 to begin taking teaching courses and then transferred to The University of Akron where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1978. Mendenhall continued her studies and earned a master’s degree from Ashland University in 1996. She is currently a consulting teacher working with gifted students in the Wooster City School District.

Past recipients also include Helen Walkerly, an associate professor of social services technology at Wayne College; retired Wooster Chief of Police Steve Thornton; Dr. Marchelle Suppan, president and CEO of Dunlap Hospital; and Lydia Thompson, a community volunteer and living history presenter.

Nominations can be made by anyone in the community. Forms and guidelines are available online at http://wayne.uakron.edu/alumni. The deadline for nominations is Jan. 31, 2012.

Wayne College is a regional campus of The University of Akron and offers the first two years of general bachelor’s degree courses for students who plan to complete their degrees at the Akron campus or other colleges and universities. The college also offers a bachelor’s degree in organizational supervision, a bachelor’s degree in business administration through Walsh University, an RN to BSN nursing program, and a wide variety of occupational education programs.