Courtright Award
Our A. Monroe Courtright Volunteer Service Award
The Rotary Club of Westerville each spring recognizes a local individual or organization with its A. Monroe Courtright Volunteer Service Award.
Courtright was the longtime publisher of Westerville’s historic hometown newspaper, The Public Opinion. He also was a charter member our Rotary Club of Westerville. He died unexpectedly just a month into his term as the club’s president in 1977, and the club launched the community service award in his honor.
Courtright was known for his strong support of Westerville, and his strong opinions, expressed weekly in a front page column in the PO titled, “You May Quote Us as Saying.”
Off the front page, his private philanthropic efforts were less well known. A business in trouble might find an envelope of money near the cash register after an unannounced visit. Westerville families and groups in need were helped quite often, with anonymous gifts that the newspaper publisher had no wish to publicize. He had no desire to be recognized for this aid-giving.
The Courtright Award named in Monroe’s honor recognizes outstanding community service by a leader or volunteer that is both “significant and sustained.” This service must come without pay, and not as part of one’s paid job.
COURTRIGHT AWARD NEWS
Rick Bannister honored with A. Monroe Courtright Award
Rick Bannister was honored with the Rotary Club of Westerville’s 2024 A. Monroe Courtright Volunteer Service Award at the club’s weekly luncheon Thursday, April 25. The award is presented by the club each spring to...
Blair wins 2023 Courtright Award for dedicated volunteer service
For his unflagging dedication to local nonprofit causes, Westerville City Councilman Dennis A. Blair was honored by the Rotary Club of Westerville with its 2023 A. Monroe Courtright Volunteer Service Award. Blair was...
Nancy and Todd McFarland honored with Courtright Award
The Rotary Club of Westerville on Thursday, April 28, awarded its 46th annual A. Monroe Courtright Volunteer Service Award to Nancy and Todd McFarland. The Westerville couple has a long history of dedicated support...
Courtright winners, 1977-2023
1977 Eddie Birchem & The Anchor Club
1978 Dr. Walter Stout
1979 Maurice & Dorothy McVay
1980 Sanders Frye & James Tressler
1981 Morris Briggs
1982 R.T. “Sarge” Beum
1983 Mary Bailey
1984 Mary Davis & Blendon Grange
1985 Edwin “Dubbs” Roush & James “Buzz” Cockerell
1986 Sue Ann Norton
1987 Richard H. Gorsuch
1988 Jane W. Bradford
1989 Don W. Miller
1990 Joe “Grandpaw” Bernowski & Dwight “”Smokey” Ballinger
1991 Ned Mosher
1992 Dr. Bill Freeman
1993 Edna Zech
1994 Marge Day Lewis
1995 Paul Askins
1996 Dick Rano
1997 Charlotte Walker
1998 Jo Ann Davidson
1999 Kathy Cocuzzi
2000 Vinny Herwig
2001 Jim Grissinger
2002 Garrett Brusco
2003 C. William Swank
2004 Rich Siegel
2005 Westerville Caring & Sharing
2006 Diane Fosselman
2007 Joanne Vansant
2008 Renee Kropat
2009 Bill Merriman
2010 Alice Wilson
2011 Damon “Chip” Wetterauer
2012 Sheila Tompos
2013 Janet Withers
2014 John Robbins & Westerville Area Resource Ministry
2015 Jim Biven
2016 Robert B. (Rock) Lantz
2017 Carolyn E. Cordray