In January of 2005, the Cornell Association of Class Officers established the William “Bill” Vanneman ’31 Outstanding Class Leader Award to recognize Cornell alumni who, in their capacity as class officers, have provided long-term exemplary service to their individual classes. The award is appropriately named in honor of Bill Vanneman ’31, who served his class tirelessly for over 75 years.

Alumni are eligible for nomination after they have celebrated their 40th Reunion and are selected solely on the basis of their contributions as class officers. Recipients of the Frank H. T. Rhodes Award and alumni who have served as University Trustees are not eligible for consideration.

2025 Recipients

Larry Krablin ’69, Engineering
Nancy Jenkins Krablin ’69, Human Ecology

After first meeting at a Cornell mixer in the fall of 1966, Larry Krablin ‘69 and Nancy Jenkins Krablin ‘69 got engaged on Christmas in 1968 and married in August 1969. They missed their 5th Reunion due to work commitments, but made it to their 10th, where, according to the Krablins, a box on some form must have been checked that indicated “we will volunteer.” What first began as an assignment to greet dinner guests at the 15th Reunion led to over 40 years of service to the class of 1969: as Reunion chairs, vice presidents, and class council members. Additionally, the Krablins have served together as Reunion registration chairs for seven Reunions and hope to do so again for their 60th in 2029! They thoroughly enjoy a large and growing group of Reunion friends they never had the opportunity to meet as undergrads. The Krablins have also volunteered their time as CAAAN volunteers since the early 70s and genuinely love being cheerleaders for Cornell. The Krablins represent the best of what it means to be a Cornell volunteer.

Past Recipients

2024 Paula Laholt ’63
2023 Martha Clark Mapes ’48, MS ’49
2022 Linda Jarschauer Johnson ’60, MS ’63
2021 Richard Hoffman ’67
2020 Dick Haggard ’58, PhD ’65 & Connie Haggard ’58
2019 Paul Blanchard ’52
2018 Chuck Hunt ’58
2017  Marshall Frank ’61 & Rosanna Frank ’61
2016  Jean Pearson ’48
2015  Stanley Rodwin ’50
2014  Shigeo “Shig” Kondo ’43
2013  Robert “Bob” Persons ’48
2012  Jack and Inger Gilbert ’49
2011  Jane Hardy ’53
2010  Peter D. Schwarz ’47
2009  S. Miller Harris ’43
2008  Edward Shineman ’37
2007  William & Elsie Doolittle ’38
2006  James C. Hanchett ’53
2005  William “Bill” Vanneman ’31