Alumni Awards
Nominate a Candidate
All members of the Jefferson community are invited to participate in the Alumni Awards process by nominating exceptional Jefferson, Textile, and Philadelphia University alumni for consideration for the below awards.
To nominate a qualified graduate, contact the Office of Alumni Relations by email alumni@jefferson.edu or by mail or in-person to the Office of Alumni Relations, Pinizzotto—Ammon Alumni Center, 1020 Locust Street, Suite 210, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Please include any supporting information you can provide for the nominee along with their contact information and the name of the award(s) for which you would like the nominee considered.
Alumni Awards
Graham J. Littlewood, III ’42 Time, Talent & Treasure Award
The Graham J. Littlewood, III ’42 Time, Talent & Treasure Award was established in 2001 to honor an outstanding Philadelphia University graduate who has contributed time, talent, and treasure through a commitment to the mission of the University and to future generations of Jefferson students. The award is presented annually at Homecoming to celebrate the achievements and contributions of an outstanding graduate.
The award is named for a distinguished alumnus, Graham J. Littlewood, III ’42, a shining example of giving back to the community. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he studied Chemistry at the then Philadelphia Textile Institute (PTI), and afterward, joined his family’s dyeing firm, G.J. Littlewood & Son, based in Philadelphia. He was the fourth generation of Littlewoods to work for the firm, and rose to the role of President.
Graham was an active member of the PTI Alumni Association for many years, serving as President in 1965-66.
Past Recipients
2001: Robert C. Lockyer, BS '68
2002: Irving R. Gerber, BS '69
2004: Martin J. Zeldin, BS '55
2005: Robert J. Reichlin, BS '47
2008: Virginia Barakat, MBA '95
2009: David L. Morgan, BS '65
2010: L. Tadd Schwab, BS '75
Sandra Scher Schwab, BS '77
2011: Harold “Duke” Pototsky, BS '58
2012: Margaret W. Maclay, BS '83
2013: Kevin J. Kodz, BS '97
2014: William J. Wallace, BS '67
2015: David A. Gingras, BS '69
2016: Jim G. Geise, BS '89
2017: William A. Finn, BS '67
2018: John Oughton, BS '71
2019: Bryant M. Greene, MBA '96
2020: Harold Ronson, BS '51
Leadership in Philanthropy Award
The Leadership in Philanthropy Award was founded in 2013 and honors visionary leaders and philanthropists.
Past Recipients
2013: Robert J. Kunik, BS '53
2014: Harold R. Ronson, BS '51
2015: L. Tadd Schwab, BS '75
Sandra Scher Schwab, BS '77
Frank L. Giese Textile Award
The Frank L. Giese Textile Award was established by Philadelphia College of Textiles & Sciences (PCT&S) alumni in 1970 in honor of Dr. Frank L. Giese, professor emeritus of Textiles. The award is presented at Homecoming in recognition of an individual's contributions to innovation in the design, technology or marketing of textile products, and outstanding and significant impact on the textile industry.
Past Recipients
2013: Jeffrey W. Bruner, BS '73
2014: Robert A. Barnhardt, BS '59
2015: Steven R. Clarke, BS '80
2016: Frank Ko, BS '70
2017: Eli Caplan, BS '63
Sloan D. Caplan, MS '01
2018: Mark A. Sunderland, BS '84, MS '06
2019: Francis Scardino, BS '58
2020: Steven M. Spivak, BS '63, PhD
Young Alumni Achievement Award
The Young Alumni Achievement Award was established in 2009 by Philadelphia University's First 5 Council. It honors and recognizes the personal and professional achievements of a Jefferson—East Falls Campus or Philadelphia University graduate of the last ten years and is presented at Homecoming.
Past Recipients
2009: Brandon A. Francis, BS '01, MD, MPH
2010: Marissa C. Maximo, MS '02
2011: Andrew L. Skurdal, BS '04
2012: Melissa M. Cherepanya, BS '07
2013: Vince Lattanzio, BS '07
2014: Cory J. Brugger, BArch '04
2015: Troy Hannigan, BArch '09
Erike De Veyra, BArch '09
2016: Elizabeth J. Darin, BS '13
2018: Christina Wong, BS '08
2019: Brian Corcodilos, BArch '13
2020: Didier Barjon, BS '14