As reported by the Journal Review, Wabash was well represented at the eighth annual Champions of Character Awards Breakfast hosted by CHARACTER COUNTS! in Montgomery County on May 17.  The master of ceremonies for the event was Jim Amidon ’87, Director of Communications and Marketing at Wabash.  Mike Raters ’85, Dean of Students at Wabash, is a board of directors member of CHARACTER COUNTS!

Steve Hoffman ’85 was one of four adults who received an award.  Steve is a senior major gifts officer in the office of college advancement at Wabash College.  He is the president of the board of directors at the Boys & Girls Club of Montgomery County.  “For so many years many of us thought little about the Boys & Girls Club because it just kept doing its job, quietly — allowing kids to have a place to go to make friends, build relationships with adults, and participate in sports, games, and academic tutoring,” Amidon said. “But in these economically challenging times we’re both reminded of the importance of the club and the difficulty of raising funds to do its life-changing work. Never before have we needed the Club as much as we do today, and never before have the challenges to sustaining it been so great.  You are passionate and dedicated; you help create opportunities for character development and leadership through sports and you model for our kids all six of the pillars of Character Counts.”   

Colten Craigin ’13 fit into both the adult and youth Champion of Character categories.  “The Dean of Students’ office at Wabash College nominated you for this award because of the high level of respect everyone in that office has for you,” Amidon told Craigin. “As a rising Wabash senior you have demonstrated leadership and character, but we realize that the Six Pillars of Character at Wabash are talked about differently,” Amidon said. “To be specific, character is defined at Wabash through the Gentleman’s Rule — the student is expected to conduct himself, at all times, both on and off the campus, as a gentleman and responsible citizen. You do that in your leadership of the Inter-Fraternity Council. You have contributed well to discussions and ideas generated by the Dean’s Presidents Council and you are a stalwart example of the importance of taking responsibility — seriously and with integrity.”

Tuttle Middle School teacher Carol Myhre, wife of Paul Myhre, who is Associate Director of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, was one of two teachers who launched a very successful after-school program, “After the Bell”, this past school year.  The program served almost 350 Tuttle students, providing a safe and nurturing place for students to go — a place where they feel comfortable and confident — a place where they belong.” 

Congratulations, Steve, Colten, and Carol!