The Father Flanagan Distinguished Alumnus Award 

Melvin R. Hamilton, ‘65

The Father Flanagan Distinguished Alumnus Award, the highest award given by the Alumni Association, 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, thus reflecting extraordinary credit to Boys Town, the Boys Town National Alumni Association 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.
 

Melvin Hamilton arrived at Boys Town on August 16, 1961 from Wilmington, North Carolina. Hamilton eagerly embraced sports at Boys Town as he excelled on the field of play in football, track and wrestling. He was a leader off the field serving as Mayor of Boys Town, Councilman, Commissioner, and Class Secretary in his senior year. He pursued a course of General Studies, sang in the choir, was the Pep Club President and a cheerleader as a senior.
 

Hamilton established himself as a force to be reckoned with especially on the football field. He earned three varsity letters in football, three in track and two in wrestling. He was a member of the nationally ranked undefeated 1963 gridiron squad, competed at the state tournament in wrestling and track and earned state Honorable Mention for wrestling. His greatest impact was in football where he earned All-State honors and was Captain of the football team in his senior year when the team went 8-1-1. For his gridiron exploits Hamilton earned a football scholarship to the University of Wyoming.
 

At Wyoming, Hamilton was a lineman on the football team and majored in Physical Education. He interrupted his education to serve in the U.S. Army where he was a Radio Teletype Operator with a NATO Crypto Top-Secret clearance. He served in Germany and Turkey during his tour of duty. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to Wyoming to complete his education and worked his way back into the starting lineup on the football team once again. He was inducted into the Wyoming Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 10-1 football team of 1966. It was after returning to Wyoming and rejoining the football team that Hamilton decided to take a stand against racism along with 13 other teammates and was catapulted into the national spotlight as part of the famous “Black 14”. When they made the decision, in 1969, to ask to wear black arm bands when playing against Brigham Young University, they had no idea the impact it would make in several areas. It disrupted the lives and many hopes and dreams of them all. The reason for the request for protest was because the Mormon religion would not allow persons of color to attain higher positions in the Church. There were repercussions throughout the United States sports world when these young men were kicked off of a nationally ranked football team. After the Black 14 incident the Mormon Church changed this policy. Little did he know at that time that his oldest son would become a member of the Mormon Church and thankful for the policy change years earlier.
 

With football out of the picture because of his principled stand, Hamilton completed his education at Wyoming and worked in the glass and oil industry before returning to Wyoming as an educator. Over the next 29 years he rose from classroom teacher to become a counselor, Vice Principal, Principal and Central Service Administrator for the School District in Casper. During this time, he earned a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University.
 

The Governor of Wyoming appointed Hamilton to the Wyoming State Parole board where he served as Vice Chairman and the first African-American to be appointed to the board. He was also appointed to the Wyoming Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission in 2007. He was appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice to the Human Rights Commission for Wyoming. Hamilton served on numerous boards of directors including the Casper Community Health Center, LULAC, Restorative Justice Group and Youth Empowerment Committee and the NAACP. Hamilton’s strong and positive belief in the goodness of people led him to seek justice, equal rights and opportunity for those with whom he was charged with representing. This sometimes placed him at odds with public opinion, but the rightness of his cause and his strength of character helped him to preserver and help those who could not help themselves.  It is this deep and inner strength that has guided Hamilton throughout his life; much in the footsteps of Servant of God Father Edward Flanagan.  He has taken the right steps and made the right and difficult choices when it would have been much easier to take a path less burdensome. For living his life in the image of Servant of God Father Edward Flanagan and for carrying his Boys Town ideals as a guide for his life, Hamilton has richly earned the recognition of this highest honor the Boys Town National Alumni Association can bestow.
 

Hamilton and his wife, Carey, are the proud parents of five children and ten grandchildren. They are retired and living on a small farm in Lake City, South Carolina. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and teaching them how to fish. He is a Lifetime Member of the Boys Town National Alumni Association, was inducted into the Boys Town Alumni Sports Hall of Fame and the Hall of History in 2015.  Hamilton hasn’t missed a reunion in many, many years.