Boys Town National Alumni Association

Boys Town National Alumni Association

Biennial Alumni Awards

General criteria for selection: To qualify for any of these awards, nominee may be a living person (posthumous awards can be given) and must have been an alumnus (graduate or completed Boys Town’s program of care) staff member, employee or devoted friend of Boys Town National Alumni Association. Nominee must have made significant contributions or accomplishments, either personally or professionally, through leadership, community or public service, fostering the growth and development of Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home (Boys Town) and the Boys Town National Alumni Association. Based on eligibility of candidates, all, none or only one, of these awards may be presented each year.

Awards and Honors Presented at Recognition Banquet

The Father Flanagan Distinguished Alumnus Award
This is the highest and most prestigious award given by the Alumni Association. It recognizes alumni who have achieved substantial personal and professional growth and advancement over an extended period of time, made significant contributions to society and service to fellow man and who embodies the principles of Father Flanagan of service above self.

Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria: be an alumnus of Boys Town; and, have graduated from high school or completed the Boys Town program of care at least thirty-five years prior to their nomination or be at least fifty years of age. Because of exceptional accomplishments by alumni, the awards selection committee may deem it appropriate to present this award to an individual before the minimum age or time elapsed from the school has been reached. This award will only be given if a suitable candidate is nominated or available.

The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
This award recognizes a young alumnus who has achieved substantial professional growth and advancement over a short period of time, made significant contributions to the professional world or community and represents the values and principles of Boys Town and the Boys Town National Alumni Association.

Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria: have graduated from or completed the Boys Town program within ten years prior to the time of the nomination and be a current and active member of the Boys Town National Alumni Association. Because of exceptional accomplishments by young alumni, the awards selection committee may extend the period of consideration to fifteen years from graduation/program completion. This award will only be given if a suitable candidate is nominated or available.

The Honorary National President
This honor recognizes current or former Boys Town staff, employees or devoted friends of the Boys Town National Alumni Association who have provided significant service to the Alumni Association through their considerable efforts in support of the goals and projects of the Alumni Association.

Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria: This person must reflect positive credit upon him or herself and the Boys Town National Alumni Association. This honor will only be bestowed if a suitable candidate is nominated or available.

Awards and Recognitions Presented at

Awards Ceremony at the Music Hall on Saturday Morning

The Hall of History Induction Award.
This award recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding alumni who make substantial contributions to their chosen profession and their community. These contributions demonstrate leadership and are recognized as being beneficial to the nominee’s community and reflect great credit upon Boys Town and the Boys Town National Alumni Association.

Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria: This recognition is given for a life’s body of work and the individual(s) must be a Boys Town graduate or have completed the Boys Town program of care thirty-five years earlier and must be at least forty-five years old. The inductee must be an active and current member of the Boys Town National Alumni Association. This person must reflect positive credit upon him or herself and the Boys Town National Alumni Association. This award will only be given if a suitable candidate is nominated or available. (Up to five individuals may be nominated/selected for induction in a single year.)

The Alumni Service Award
This award recognizes an alumnus who has shown extraordinary support and assistance to Boys Town and the Boys Town National Alumni Association as a volunteer and an active member of the Association.

Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria: This recognition is given to an alumnus who is a current active member of the Alumni Association and is actively involved in furthering the goals of the Association. This person must reflect positive credit upon him or herself and the Boys Town National Alumni Association. This award will only be given if a suitable candidate is nominated or available.

The Alumni Appreciation Award
This award recognizes a non-alumnus who has been a strong and active supporter of the Boys Town National Alumni Association by providing material support and encouragement to and for the Alumni Association.

Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria: This person may be a Boys Town staff member, a volunteer, a family member of an alumnus or a friend of the Alumni Association. This person must reflect positive credit upon him or herself and the Boys Town National Alumni Association. This award will only be given if a suitable candidate is nominated or available.

Awards Nomination Form

Nomination Forms

Click on award to complete and submit online

Fr. Flanagan Distinguished Alumnus Award

The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award

The Honorary National President

The Hall of History Induction

The Alumni Service Award

The Alumni Appreciation Award

Previous Recipients

Recent Recipients

The Father Flanagan Distinguished Alumnus Award

2015 - Ambrose M. Rodriguez, '58

2017 - Judge William D. Maddux, '53
2019 - Melvin R. Hamilton, '65

2021 - No reunion due to COVID-19

2022 - Daniel Cheshire, '65

2023 - Colin E. "Ed" Brady, '60

The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
2015 - Daniel Fry, D'06 2017 - TSgt. Mary Carter, '04
2019 - Zackary M. Blanchard, '05
2021 - No reunion due to COVID-19

2022 - Sommer Lemley, '12

2023 - Award Not Given

The President's Award
2017 - Edward J. Flanagan, '81 (Inaugural Award)
2019 - Ronald C. Fisher, D'57
2021 - No reunion due to COVID-19
2022 - Mike Trevino, '58

Honorary National President
2015 - Dwite Pedersen, Former Counselor
2017 - Knobby Meysenburg, Former Counselor

2019 - Pierre Bossant, Executive Chef Emeritus

2021 - No reunion due to COVID-19

2022 - Dan Schneider, Former Teacher and Coach

2023 - Dr. Bob Pick, Ph.D, Retired Executive VP for Youth Care

Hall of History Induction

2015 Inductees
Victor A. "Vic" Honermann, '57
Daniel P. "Dan" Chesire, '65

Melvin R. "Mel" Hamilton, '65

William M. "Mike" Smith, '67

    Stanley L. "Stan" Struble, '68
2017 Inductees
    Robert D. Keeder, '63
      Andrew C. "Andy" Olivo, '66

      Reginald E. Walton, '67
2019 Inductees
    Robert S. "Bob" Schmit, '69
      William C. "Kriss" Andrews, '70
      William M. "Bill" Bryant, '74
2021 - No reunion due to COVID-19

2022 Inductees

Dr. William Thomas, '69

Sam Vargas, '65

2023 Inductees

Ronald Langford, D'66

Rodney Whitehall, '72

Barney Hill, '73

Steven Wolf, '80

The Alumni Appreciation Award

2015 Awardees
   Carol Atherton, Annette Bilek, Pat McKenzie
2017 Awardees
       Carol Trevino, Lisa Abare
2019 Awardees
       Ruby Fisher,
       Boys Town Maintenance Department      BTNAA Auxiliary
2021 - No reunion due to COVID-19

2022 Awardee

Boys Town Police Department

2023 Awardee

Boys Town Food Service Department

The Alumni Service Award

2015 Awardees
Daniel M. "Dan" Banz, '57

Michael J. "Mike" Skaff, '61
2017 Awardees
Eugene P. Horan, '57

Albert M. "Bo" Rhudy, '60

Jason Suibielski, '81
2019 Awardee
William M. "Mike" Smith, '67
2021 Awardee - No reunion due to COVID-19

2022 Awardees

George Edwards, '71

Johnny Sullivan, '85

2023 Awardees

Raul Parra, '64

Phil Dauterive, D'70