Volunteer Awards
Each year, the History Center recognizes outstanding volunteers with two awards: Volunteer of the Year, and the Charles J. Lorenz Award of Achievement.
Volunteer Of The Year
This award honors outstanding service to the History Center. Candidates are nominated by standing committee chairs, and winners are chosen by a majority vote of the Center’s Board of Directors.
- 2006 – Karen Tews, Dick Lyons, Al Lyon, Dean Batchelor, and Dave Mauger
- 2008 – Judy Hillman
- 2009 – Judi Vanderbeck & Mike Economos
- 2010 – Vic Bella
- 2011 – Mary Voss
- 2012 – Ruth Johnson
- 2013 – Cynthia Sorensen
- 2014 – Steve Hutchins
- 2015 – Leslie Thompson
- 2016 – John Peters
- 2017 – Ellen Donovan
- 2018 – Arthur Ashley
- 2019 – Bill and Nancy Woods
- 2020 – John Kerr
- 2021 – Mike Mok
- 2022 – Annie Hayes
- 2023 – Gemina Petruzzelli & Chris Clark
The Lorenz Award
The Charles J. Lorenz Award of Achievement is given to acknowledge distinguished leadership in service to the History Center toward fulfilling its spirit and mission, enabling the community to understand its past and use its history to shape its future and preserve its quality of life.
- 1997 – Jeffrey Wilcox
- 1998 – Robert D. Johnson
- 1999 – Jim Schmiechen & Arlene Sherman
- 2000 – Ken Carls
- 2001 – Kit Lane & Ted Reyda
- 2002 – Joan J. Phillips
- 2003 – Bill Manifold
- 2004 – Ron Hirsch
- 2005 – Dottie Lyon
- 2006 – Jack Sheridan
- 2007- Jane Underwood
- 2008 – Dick Haight
- 2009 – Chris Yoder
- 2010 – Judy Hillman
- 2011 – Bill Hess
- 2012 – Harold Thieda
- 2013 – Sally Winthers
- 2014 – Marsha Kontio
- 2015 – Judi Vanderbeck
- 2016 – Fred Schmidt
- 2017 – Vic Bella
- 2018 – Ken Kutzel
- 2019 – Mary Voss
- 2020 – Michael Sampson Sweeney
- 2021 – Julie Bizzis & Randy Dirosa
- 2022 – Steve Hutchins
- 2023 – Chuck Gustafson
Recognize Outstanding Volunteers
Lorenz Award winners are chosen every summer. Members are invited to nominate candidates for this honor.