2006 Alumni Awards

Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. James Seward

James Seward, “64, ATO, is a consultant for the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine and the Division of Pediatric Cardiology in the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.  Dr. Seward is also a professor of medicine and pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and has master’s faculty privileges in clinical research at the Mayo Graduate School in Rochester, Minnesota.  He is the author of four books, nearly 1,000 other publications and possesses 18 patents.  Seward was the keynote speaker at the Alumni Academic Interest Session, Homecoming Weekend 2006.

Distinguished Alumni Award

CarolAnn Coppler Barker

In 1963, CarolAnn Coppler Barker, PBP, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and secondary education from Hillsdale College and embarked on an exemplary career in education.   Barker has held secondary teaching positions in Quincy, Dearborn and Hillsdale, Michigan.  In 1980, she accepted the position of dean of women and lecturer in journalism at Hillsdale College.  In this capacity, she also served as advisor for the Collegian, Student Federation and the Student Activities Board.  In 1987, she received the additional title of director of student affairs, and in 1996 was named vice president for student affairs.  Barker retired in June 2006 following 26 years of service to the College.  In 1985, she earned a Master of Arts degree from Michigan State University.  She is married to Jack Barker, ’65.  The have one daughter, Shawn-Laree.

Distinguished Alumni Award

J. Wickliffe Ach

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration, J. Wickliffe Ach, ’70, ATO, has proven himself an accomplished leader in his field.  His career includes 30 years at his current company, Hixson Architects/Engineers, the last 23 as CEO.  Hixson is an architectural, engineering and interior design firm with a worldwide clientele.  In 2004, the company was recognized by “The Great Place to Work Institute” as being one of the top ten places to work in the United States.  He has served on the boards of several organizations, including PNC Corporation, Setzer Corporation, Drake Hospital, Hamilton County Development Corporation, Center for Quality of Management, Young Presidents’ Organization and Easter Seals/WRC.

Tower Award

Professor Emeritus Thomas Carstens

Professor Tom Carstens held the McIntyre Chair in Business and Marketing at Hillsdale for eleven years, 1987-97, and was voted Professor of the year in 1997.  During his tenure here, he initiated the Summer Program of Study at Regents College, Oxford University.  Dr. Carstens is currently Professor Emeritus and still occasionally lectures at the College.

Tower Award

Julie Talley Hooton, ’80, PBP

Julie Tally Booton, Class of ’80, has been a Class Ambassador and served six years on the Alumni Executive Board where she was Secretary of the Board and Chairman of the Membership Committee.  Julie was instrumental in redrafting the new bi-laws for our organization.  She has also served as president of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority Alumni Association.

Tower Award

Susan McColl Huttula, ’62, PBP

Susan McColl Huttula, Class of ’62, has served our Alma Mater as Class Ambassador, an Associate, a member of the President’s Club, and as a host of many off-campus Hillsdale events.  Susan bleeds Charger Blue as both of her parents, a brother, two children, and a son-in-law have all graduated from Hillsdale.

Honorary Alumni Award

Arthur Thomas

Retired since 1971, Art Thomas is anything but “retiring.”  Art is well known, even loved, by many at Hillsdale as he continues to take classes here.  Unknown to many is Art’s extraordinary generosity to some of his fellow students as he has anonymously provided financial assistance to his “friends in need.”  He is active in the Hillsdale Hostel Program, CCA seminars, and especially Hillsdale’s music programs where he helped to fund the new Howard Music Hall, dedicating a room there in his wife’s memory.  Art can be seen cruising the campus in his cherry red Mercedes convertible.

GOLD Award (Graduate of the Last Decade)

Aaron Streett, ‘99

Aaron Streett graduated summa cum laude and was Outstanding Senior Man in 1999.  As a student at Hillsdale, he interned with former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C.  Aaron attended the University of Texas Law School where he graduated magna cum laude and was Managing Editor of the Texas Review of Law and Politics.  During his tenure there, Aaron clerked for Judge David Sentelle of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, and then clerked for Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court.  Aaron is now an attorney at Baker Botts LLP in Houston and has been named a “Rising Star” in appellate law by Texas Monthly Magazine.

GOLD Award (Graduate of the Last Decade)

Scott Simpson, ‘01

Scott Simpson graduated from Hillsdale summa cum laude in 2001 with a major in marketing.  Following two years as a financial analyst, Scott founded Main Street Auctions, an internet-based company of which he remains CEO.  Having experienced tremendous growth, Main Street Auctions now has offices in three locations in Metropolitan Detroit.  Scott is also a partner in Cornerstone Charter Schools and actively assists Hillsdale’s student recruitment efforts.

Teacher/Coach Award

Darrell Morton, ‘64

Outside of a student’s parents and immediate family, perhaps no individual has a greater influence in a young person’s life than a teacher or coach.  Hillsdale College has a proud tradition of producing outstanding teachers and coaches.  We are pleased to honor one of the best.

Darrell Morton, ’64 was a stand-out athlete at Hillsdale where he majored in Biology.  He recently retired from LakeView Schools having spent his entire career there.  A man of faith, Darrell left his mark on generations of students, both in the classroom and on the field.  During his tenure as coach, his teams amassed an amazing record, including a State Championship and numerous Regional Championships.  But according to his wife Diana, the thing that has meant the most to Darrell is when students have thanked him for being “the best teacher they ever had,” or for “making (them) want to learn.”