ALMA — The Alma College Advancement Office this month announced winners of the 2024 Alumni Awards in five areas, spanning multiple generations of Alma Scots.
Gary Peters, Hugh Brenneman, Dean Havelka, Katie Meloche, and Pat and Maurie Luetkemeier will be honored as part of the college’s annual Homecoming, Sept. 27-29.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Gary Peters ’80
This is the highest honor presented to alumni. It recognizes those who have brought distinction to the college through their professions, set strong examples for others, and served their communities through personal accomplishments that enhance the prestige of the college.
Gary Peters has served the state of Michigan in the United States Senate since 2015. He is the current chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee — the Senate’s top oversight committee — as well as the Armed Services Committee and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. He is considered one of the most effective and bipartisan U.S. senators, having been named the “No. 1 most-effective senator” by the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking at the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University.
During his time at Alma College, Peters was on the student council and elected as president of the junior class. A resident assistant and a member of the Zeta Sigma fraternity, as well as the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Peters also DJ’ed a radio show on WABM.
“An Alma education provides individuals with the network, the knowledge, and the critical skills necessary to devise common-sense solutions to the most difficult challenges facing our society,” Peters said. “I’ve stayed connected to Alma to do my part to help strengthen that mission and support future classes of Scots who feel a similar sense of civic duty.”
Hebert Award
Hugh Brenneman ’67
This award is presented to alumni for their loyalty and service to Alma College and the college’s Alumni Association. It is named in memory of George Hebert, a 1920 alumnus whose love of Alma College and work on behalf of the institution was an inspiration to all alumni.
Hugh Brenneman came to Alma College looking for “a challenging and well-regarded liberal arts college” that would allow him to participate in a wide variety of activities. He did just that; joining the Delta Sigma Phi (Zeta Sigma) fraternity, cross-country team, Alma College and Michigan College Republicans, Interfraternity Council, The Almanian and Model UN.
Brenneman has remained involved with the college through various pre-law outreach programs, attending alumni functions, recruiting high school students to attend Alma College and serving on the Alumni Board for the past six years. He retired from the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan after 35 years as a magistrate judge. Prior to that experience, Brenneman was a federal prosecutor and private practice attorney in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Brenneman advises current students to be diligent during their time in college: “Read the books, write the papers, do the research, practice the arts and participate in extracurricular activities.”
