Muhlenberg Alumni Association Honors Outstanding Supporters
The Muhlenberg College Alumni Association has honored eight members of the Muhlenberg community with Achievement Awards, based on personal success and support of the College.Tuesday, June 24, 2003 11:05 AM
The Muhlenberg College Alumni Association has honored eight members of the Muhlenberg community with Achievement Awards, based on personal success and support of the College.
Carl Oplinger ’58 received the Alumni Achievement Award for Distinguished and Exceptional Service to the College. Oplinger served for 40 years as a member of the Muhlenberg biology faculty until his retirement in 2003. During his tenure, he received the Lindback Award for teaching excellence, a fellowship to study at the Bermuda Biological Station, the Paul C. Empie Award, given to the faculty member who demonstrates commitment to the goals of the College, and the Heubner Award, given to a faculty member who promotes global education and awareness. Oplinger has authored several publications, including “An Environmental and Natural History of the Lehigh Valley,” co-authored with R. Halma, published in the spring of 2001. Oplinger and his wife, Marilee, reside in Emmaus, Pa.
Paul Brucker ’53 received the Alumni Achievement Award for Distinguished and Exceptional Attainments in Life. Brucker has served as President of Thomas Jefferson University since 1990, and in 1995 was named as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Jefferson Health System. His civic involvements include work as the Director of the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition; an Executive Committee member of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; and a member of the Board of Directors for the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. In 1997 he received the Boy Scouts of America Good Scout Award, and in 2002 Paul received the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital’s Humanitarian Award. Brucker has served on the Muhlenberg College Board of Trustees since 1990. He and his wife, Joan, live in Ambler, Pa.
Carol Mummey Klement ’64 received the Alumni Achievement Award for Distinguished and Exceptional Service to the Alumni Association. A retired elementary school teacher from the Allentown School District, Klement is a member of the Lehigh Chapter of Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees. She is a life member of both the Alumni Trust Fund and the Woman’s Auxiliary of Muhlenberg and has been an active member of the Lehigh Valley Area Alumni Club since its early years. Klement lives in Allentown, Pa.
Joseph and Rita Scheller received the Alumni Association Award for Distinguished and Exceptional Service by Non-Alumni. Mr. Scheller is retired president and board chairman of Silberline Manufacturing Company in Tamaqua, Pa. The Schellers share an affiliation with Muhlenberg through his service on the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of the Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding. In 1998 the couple was honored with the Wallenberg Tribute Award for their long-standing support of Institute programs. In 2001 the Schellers established the RJ Fellowship Program to provide funds for scholarships, course development, research, faculty development and the RJ Fellows Symposium. The Schellers reside in Tamaqua, Pa.
Brian Fishbone ’98 received the Outstanding Young Alumna/us Recognition Award. A training specialist with Delaware Investments, Fishbone combines education and community building by developing and facilitating leadership development, professional skills, regulatory and systems training, and new employee orientation programs for Delaware’s 1000+ employees in the Philadelphia area. He currently serves as regional coordinator for the Philadelphia Alumni Club and has made great strides in developing a vibrant and dynamic alumni association. A native of New London, Conn., Fishbone now lives in Elkins Park, Pa.
Sarina Ahuja ’03 and David Sobotkin ’03 received Undergraduate Merit Awards. Ahuja graduated in May with a bachelor of science in biology and is continuing her education at Ross University of Medicine in Dominica, and plans to pursue a career in emergency medicine. As an undergraduate, Ahuja received the Harry A. Benfer Memorial Scholarship, awarded to a rising senior in good academic standing who promotes goodwill and who has an appreciation for all phases of college life, and was an active participant in community service and campus organizations. Ahuja is a native of Stevenson, Md.
Sobotkin graduated in May with a double major in political science and history. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Sobotkin was a Muhlenberg Scholar and a member of the national honor societies of political science and history, and Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership society. He served for two years as editor-in-chief of the Muhlenberg Weekly and was a finalist in the prestigious Fulbright and Truman scholarship programs. Sobotkin is a resident of Kings Park, N.Y.
