Valerie M. Dahlem became fascinated with aviation while still a student at the University of Dayton.

After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1985, Dahlem drew on her time as an officer for UD’s American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics to enter aviation. She returned to UD to earn her master’s in engineering management in 1994.

Dahlem started as a cooperative education trainee, then spent more than 32 years working as a civilian for the United States Air Force, using the Marianist values she learned at the University of Dayton to lead and earn the respect of her subordinates.

During her service, Dahlem oversaw the team of engineers which initiated the development of the first new military engine in more than three decades. In her final position before retiring, Dahlem led more than 300 members of the propulsion program management division at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Special Achievement Award

The Special Achievement Award is presented to an alumnus who has distinguished themself by earning special distinction in civic or professional activities and has, by their actions, reflected honor on the Alumni Association and the University. The Special Achievement Award is given for outstanding achievement in business, in industry, through professional excellence, by civic activity or by service to the community. To be eligible, a person must hold a degree from the University of Dayton.

Lisa Payne Wansley ’84

For Lisa Payne Wansley, life after graduating from the University of Dayton has been focused on working for others.

Wansley grew up in the Bronx, New York. After graduating from UD in 1984 with a political science and public administration degree, she returned home and got to work. She earned a master’s degree from Fordham University and until recently, was the senior vice president for environmental justice, community affairs and legislative relations for the New York Power Authority, working to help communities across New York State to create clean energy initiatives. She retired from the position in July 2023.

Wansley also conceptualized and implemented several programs, including a Future Energy Leaders Scholarship which annually provides 10 students in underserved communities across New York with a $10,000 scholarship. It also provides the students with valuable opportunities in energy education and exposure to potential careers in the fast-growing green energy sector.

Providing access to programs and services for the most vulnerable communities has been the cornerstone of Wansley’s 30-plus-year career. Before she joined the New York Power Authority, Wansley worked for New York organizations including the governor’s office and the Bronx district attorney’s office.

Special Achievement Award

The Special Achievement Award is presented to an alumnus who has distinguished themself by earning special distinction in civic or professional activities and has, by their actions, reflected honor on the Alumni Association and the University. The Special Achievement Award is given for outstanding achievement in business, in industry, through professional excellence, by civic activity or by service to the community. To be eligible, a person must hold a degree from the University of Dayton.

Past Recipients

Bucky Albers '68
Herbert J. Ammerman '69 
Thomas J. Archdeacon, Jr. '72 
Robert Arnzen '51 
Robert L. Bates '67 
Steven C. Bergman '77 
Arthur B. Bok III '74
Susann M. Brady-Kalnay '87
Jacqueline M. Brumfield '71
Steven Budd ’76, ’78
Paul J. Campbell '67 
John R. Castignola '47 
James L. Charles '53
Erica Chenoweth '02 
Jacqueline K. Collier '67 
Ronald W. Collins '57 
Daniel E. Denlinger '79 
Daklak Cao Do '89 
Donald J. Donoher '54
Wendy Humphrey Doolittle ’98
Elizabeth Duell '58
Timothy L. Dues '74 
Diana R. Dunn '59 
Martha J. Dunsky '75 
James L. Dutt '66 
James A. Eiting '58 
Ahmed K. Elmagarmid '77 
Kathleen J. Emery '69 
William M. Fackovec, S.M. '49 
Gerald A. Faust, Jr. '58 
Arthur O. Fisher '48 
David P. Fitzgerald '71 
Frances Longo Franchina '60
Terri Lee Freeman ’81 
Manuel L. Garlikov '43 
Barbara P. Gorman '74 '77
Garry B. Grice '64 
Jon Gruden '86 
William J. Gutbrod '50 
Thomas M. Hannigan '66 
Gerald M. Hauer '56 
Nancy K. Hayes '73 
Allen Hill '67, '72
Joseph Hinrichs '89
Daniel J. Hornbach '74
Sharon Davis Howard '78
Ann Hudock '90, '93
Arthur J. Huber '54 
Mary Josephine Huth '50 
Charles B. Jones '49
Jeffrey J. Jones II ’90
Henry M. Josefczyk '60 
Jonathan Judge '93
Robert S. Kennedy '65 
William P. King '96
Victoria Knipper Hughes '74 
Wayne D. Lancaster '69 
Jan Lepore-Jentleson ’71
John D. Lewis '70 
Lloyd E. Lewis '48 
C. LaShea (Smith) Lofton ’91
Claire R. Longman '77 
Sr. Grace A. Luther, F.M.I. '48 
Craig E. Lyon '73 
Charles V. Magatti '71 
Jon J. Major '80 
Westina L. Matthews '70 
Thomas F Mazza '81 
Linda J. Mercuri '69 
John F. Michitsch '65 
Michele Mirto '91 
John E. Moore '55 
Charles H. Noll '53 
Kenneth G. Oaks '87
Joseph A. Oths '56 
Kenneth Perko '63 
John J. Peterangelo '67 
Margaret E. Peters '59 
Diane Kitzerow Phillips '64 
ShirleyA. Pohl '57 
Daniel Patrick Pugh '79 
Francis X. Quinn '51 
William M. Raveis, Jr. '68 
Mary Anne Reilly-Dirlam '75 
B. William Ricco '58 
Elmo E. Roach '63 
John D. Rossi '58 
Joseph M. Scaminace '75 
Earl Scheidler '57 
Joseph Scherger '71 
Katherine A. Schipper '71 
Rosemary Schmidt '52 
Richard M. Schoen '72 
Roman U. Schoenherr '56 
Stephen P. Scovic '66 
Deborah J. Seifert '70
Michael Sewell '85
Gerald S. Sharkey '65 
Mary Ann Sharkey '74 
Ned J. Sifferlen '63 
Michael S. Someck '62 
Robert G. Stachler '51 
Virginia MacMillan Varga '51 
Howard Watkins '86 
Robert L. Westerheide '56 
Marcy Weston '66 
A. William Wiggenhorn '66 
Michael D. Wilson '70 
Kevin J. Wood '69 
Helen A. Yura-Petro '53 
Haleem N. Zihenni '88