Washburn University Alumni Awards
The Alumni Awards honor alumni, employees and friends of Washburn University who distinguish themselves in their careers and their service to their community and the University.
2022 Honorees
Distinguished Service Award
This award recognizes alumni who have made personal and professional contributions to society, demonstrated exemplary support to the Washburn University Alumni Association and the community, been of service to humanity, distinguished themselves in their careers and brought honor to Washburn through their accomplishments.
Michael Mustain, ba ’76
Michael Mustain retired after 30 years with the Department of the Army. He most recently served as director of the threat test and evaluation directorate at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was a threat intelligence analyst for the implementation and portrayal of threat in Operational Tests for new Army and joint service acquisition programs. He received the Army modeling and simulation award and several Training and Doctrine Command commander and performance awards. Mustain is a Vietnam veteran and served in the Army with the 101st Airborne Division receiving the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Air Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal with two stars. Among other duties, he was a general military intelligence analyst with Psychological Operations Company assigned to Headquarters III Corps. He continues to serve Washburn, his community and fellow veterans. He was on the Washburn Alumni Association board of directors for eight years, including two as president. He is a lifetime member of the Washburn Alumni Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans.
What are your favorite Washburn memories: My most interesting academic experiences were the discussions with Dr. Menninger in our criminal justice seminars and lectures. Professors Ted Heim and Ben Coats made a big impression on me and gave me confidence going forward. I loved going to most of the sporting events. The basketball games at Whiting Field House were always a great atmosphere, especially when we played Emporia State. At football games, participating in the human zipper at halftime was embarrassing.
Jacki Summerson, ba ’68, H ’18
Jacki Summerson and her late husband, Frank Summerson, purchased their first Manpower franchise in 1987 and owned several more franchises before selling them and retiring in 2008. Manpower is a multinational corporation that provides staffing solutions, and she served as the chief financial officer of her franchises. Throughout her career, Summerson served on the Human Resources Committee of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry for several years. She was a member and past president of the Data Processing Management Association, as well as the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni Association of Topeka. Summerson is on the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation board of trustees and was on the board of directors from 2010-20. She joined Washburn Women’s Venture Partners in 2020 and is a member of the Washburn women’s honorary society, Nonoso. She received an honorary doctor of commerce from Washburn University in 2018.
How has Washburn contributed to your career: Coming from a small town, I really appreciated the smaller classes and personal relationships with the professors. I have always felt that my college education helped me succeed both in my career and in life. I am proud that my husband and I were able to own a business. I never dreamed that I would have that opportunity.
Lilla Day Monroe Award
This award honors women who have distinguished themselves as teachers, instructors, administrators or benefactors at Washburn and also have given service to the community and/or their chosen professions. The award is named after suffragist, lawyer and publisher Lilla Day Monroe.
Jenifer Lucas, jd '75
Jenifer Lucas spent her freshman year of college at Washburn where she pledged Kappa Alpha Theta. After completing college in Oklahoma and teaching high school English there for five years, Lucas enrolled at Washburn University School of Law. That led to a 40-year career in law, and she retired in 2015 from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C., after 25 years with the agency. Prior to that, she worked with the Kansas Corporation Commission and with an oil company Oklahoma. She remained involved with Theta, and was named Theta of the Year by the Tulsa and Northern Virginia alumnae chapters. The Topeka alumnae chapter named her a Theta for a Lifetime. Her community service includes being a member of the Oklahoma State Board of Public Accountancy from 1985-93 and currently as a member of the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation board of trustees. She served on the School of Law board of governors from 1985-93.
How has Washburn contributed to your career: Most of the best aspects of my life after law school had a Washburn or a Theta connection and sometimes both. All of my jobs after law school came through Washburn connections. The most interesting job I ever had (legal advisor to Theta's Grand Council) was in part due to the fact that a member of my Washburn Theta chapter was on Grand Council at the time they needed to fill that position. While that job did not include financial rewards, the intangible rewards continue to this day. I have an enormous circle of Theta friends all over the country.
Col. John Ritchie Award
This award honors men who have distinguished themselves as teachers, instructors, administrators or benefactors at Washburn and also have given service to the community and/or their chosen professions. The award is named after Col. John Ritchie, who donated the land on which Washburn is built.
John Pinegar, ba '82
John Pinegar is a partner in the governmental and public relations firm of Pinegar, Smith & Associates, Inc., which he co-founded in 1991. The firm specializes in legislative affairs, lobbying, business-to-government outreach and issues management, promoting and defending interests before the Kansas legislature and executive branch officials. Pinegar just completed his 42nd consecutive Kansas legislative session. He also is engaged in managing and operating farming interests in southwest Kansas. His previous experience includes chief of staff to the governor of Kansas, deputy director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and statewide director of the Reagan-Bush campaign. Pinegar serves on the board of directors of the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation and is a past-president of the Alumni Association board of directors. He has been a member of the advisory board of the Dole Institute of Politics. He is a 2017 Alumni Fellow in the Washburn University College of Arts and Sciences.
How has Washburn contributed to your career: As a high school sophomore, I first stepped on the campus in 1975 and quickly knew Washburn would become a central part of my life. Washburn prepared me both intellectually and socially for my career and adult life. Because of the positive influence and encouragement of many professors, and through a college internship program, I was introduced to the state legislative process and politics and found what would become a professional passion for over 40 years. Attending Washburn was a transformational experience that opened so many possibilities for me as a student and continues to this day as an alumnus.
Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award
This award honors recent Washburn graduates who demonstrate leadership in career or civic endeavors and loyalty to Washburn. Recipients of the award must have graduated within the past 10 years.
Dr. Taylor McGown Sutherland, bs ’12
Dr. Taylor Sutherland is the owner and practices as a dentist at Antioch Dentistry in Merriam, Kansas. She has been the owner of that practice for five years and has since partnered for a second office location. She teaches continuing education courses and stays active in her field and community. She is involved in PDS Serve Day, Give Kids a Smile and various other events that provide dental care to underserved citizens, giving free oral health education, screenings, preventive and restorative treatment. Her previous work includes practicing at Parkville Modern Dentistry and Orthodontics in Kansas City, Missouri. As a Washburn student, she was WSGA president, Bod Squad president and a member of several other organizations and honor societies.
How has Washburn contributed to your career: Washburn definitely set the foundation for my career. The courses at Washburn University taught me how to study hard and apply myself. The instructors genuinely care about your wellbeing and set you up for success. My WSGA leadership roles and experience help me lead my team effectively and efficiently every day.
Dr. Michael W. Glass, bs ’12
Dr. Michael Glass will be completing a musculoskeletal radiology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, in June 2022. He will then begin practicing at Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, a private-practice radiology group in Topeka. He earned his doctor of medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed his internship there in internal medicine and his residency there in diagnostic radiology. Glass earned the KUMC radiology resident teacher award in 2021 and the KUMC Peter Ronai Award in 2018 as the top first-year resident. He was the Norman L. Martin Radiology Award recipient at KUMC for achieving excellence as a senior medical student. His service work includes acting as president of the KUMC chapter of RadAid from 2019-20 and serving as director of physicians for JayDoc Free Clinic from 2013-14. He has published research in journals and presented at conferences during his time as a student and resident.
What are your favorite Washburn memories: My fondest memories are time spent with some of my friends and roommate, either spending long hours together studying or having fun in the dorms my freshman year. I met my wonderful wife, Candace, lifelong friends and mentors. Washburn gave me outstanding preparation for medical school and a career in medicine.
Honorary Ichabod Award
This award is given to individuals who are not graduates of Washburn University, but whom we recognize for their steadfast support of Washburn by way of their time, talent or treasure.
Tommy and Lou Ann Olsen
Tommy and Lou Ann Olsen have been longtime supporters of Washburn University. They support athletics during the annual faculty/staff giving campaign. They made a major gift during the 2003 Yager Stadium renovation and joined friends in purchasing a suite in Bianchino Pavilion. Tommy’s family has a nursing scholarship to honor the caring treatment his father received before passing away in 1983. The two regularly attend home football and basketball games and have traveled to postseason games. They are members of the Alumni Association and serve on the board of the Ichabod Athletic Club. Lou Ann is the benefits specialist in Washburn’s Human Resources department and began her 38th year at Washburn. She has received the Outstanding Service Award for administrative support staff twice. Tommy retired in 2019 after 30 years at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. He was the team leader who oversaw the implementation of virtual desktops that allowed employees to work from home, which proved to be very beneficial during the onset of the pandemic.
How has Washburn contributed to your lives: Washburn has been a big part of our lives due to Lou Ann being employed there for more than 37 years. We have made lots of lifelong friends and acquaintanceships and consider it our social club.