Award Recipients
Three alumni recognized with awards
The Virginia Wesleyan Alumni Association hosted an alumni reception and awards presentation on Saturday, Oct. 9 in the Hofheimer Library. During the event, alumni learned about the College’s history of Community Service with a presentation from Diane Hotaling, director of Community Service. Evidence of Virginia Wesleyan’s strong commitment to community service was reflected in this year’s three award winners who all have service oriented careers: Heather Campbell ’04, Bruce Goodson ’79 and Tracy Keller ’04.
Heather Campbell '04 , Distinguished Alumnus Award
Heather Campbell graduated from Virginia Wesleyan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. Among her honors and involvement at Virginia Wesleyan were Omicron Delta Kappa honor society, Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, Rho Phi Lambda honor society for recreation and leisure studies, Leadership Council, and the Virginia Wesleyan Resident Assistant of the Year Award. In September of 2005, Heather started working at the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) and instantly started to grow professionally. She was able to attend several conferences and events in her first few months at NRH that increased her interest in wheelchair and adapted sports. Heather made it her personal goal to get a wheelchair rugby team started and became the founder and coach for the D.C. Capitol Punishers Quad Rugby Team. Her team joined the United States Quad Rugby Association in September of 2006 and later went on to win first place at the Raleigh championship tournament. Heather now works for the United States Olympic Committee, Paralympic Division, and works for the Paralympic Military Program. In Washington D.C. she works with wounded warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Fort Belvoir and National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. She is a certified brain injury specialist, a board member of BlazeSport Club and Paralympic Sport Club of Washington D.C., and a member of both the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification and the American Therapeutic Recreation Association. Heather not only spends time being a dedicated role model to the D.C. Capitol Punishers and her community, but she has also sparked an interest in her sister who is now working with a quad rugby team.
Bruce Goodson '79 , Alumni Service Award
Bruce Goodson graduated from Virginia Wesleyan with a Bachelor in Arts degree in Mathematics. Bruce is a member of the Williamsburg James City County (WJCC) Board of Supervisors and is serving his third term representing the Roberts District. He previously served as county Chairman in 2004, 2006 and 2008. He currently represents the James City County on the Hampton Roads Alliance for Economic Development, and the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Bruce currently serves as Chairman of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and is a member and former chairman of the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization. He has served as a member of the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail Authority Board of Directors, the Peninsula Workforce Development Consortium, board liaison to the Jamestown 2007 Host Committee, and on the WJCC School Liaison Subcommittee. Bruce is active in the Virginia Municipal League where he serves as chairman of the Transportation Steering Committee and a member of the Legislative Committee. Professionally, Bruce is the President of the Diamond/Goodson Equipment Corporation, a regional industrial equipment dealer with locations in Norfolk and Richmond. Bruce is married to Kathryn Penoyer Goodson and is the father of three children, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Clifford.
Tracy Keller '04, G.O.L.D. Award
Tracy Keller graduated from Virginia Wesleyan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science and Mathematics. Since 2004, she has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast, a regional non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of girls. In 2007, Tracy earned a certification in non-profit management from the Academy for Non-profit Excellence. Tracy was also selected from an elite group of CEO’s to attend a Strategic Leader Seminar at the United States Army War College sponsored by Columbia University Business School. In 2009, she graduated from the Lead Hampton Roads program. She joined the ranks of the prestigious Civic Leadership Institute’s alumni in 2010. Tracy has been nominated for numerous leadership awards during her career. She was recognized in 2008 as one of Inside Business Magazine’s “Top 40 under 40.” Tracy was also recognized by the Girl Scouts with the Thanks Badge, the highest award an adult may earn in Girl Scouting. When considering giving her time and volunteering, Tracy seeks out organizations that are making a difference. Currently Tracy is a board member of the Women’s Division Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Chesapeake, the Great Bridge Rotary Club, the Virginia Girl Scout Legislative Coalition and president of the National Association of Girl Scout Executives (AGSES). In addition, she serves as the chair of the City of Chesapeake’s Human Services Advisory Board and is a member of both the United Way of South Hampton Roads Women’s Leadership Council and the National Foster Parent Association. This year, Tracy and her husband, Dan, proudly announced the adoption of their four foster children. They plan to continue being active in the foster care and adoption movement and in other efforts that establish children as a priority. Tracy believes giving back to the community is not only a social responsibility of each alumna, but also one of life’s joys.
