Dr. Clemens, a member of Dock’s first graduating class in 1956, receives the 2008 Outstanding Achievement Award based on his academic and business accomplishments since graduation. Dr. Clemens graduated from Goshen College (Goshen, IN) with a degree in physics in 1960, then earned master’s and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technolo

His career encompassed 21 years at RCA Research Laboratories, with major contributions to a variety of multimedia projects, including the development of DVDs. He also served as president of Chronar Corp., a leader in photovoltaic panels for consumer products, spent five years as senior vice president at the Stanford Research Institute and was president and CEO of Sharp Laboratories of America where he directed a variety of technology developments ranging from cable and wireless to information storage and transfer to LCD technology. By appointment of Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, Dr. Clemens also chairs the Washington Technology Center, a technology incubator based in the Seattle area.

Charles received Dock’s Distinguished Service Award, based on her mission and service involvement since she graduated in 1975. She is eastern Pennsylvania program director for Joni and Friends, a worldwide ministry to individuals and families with disabilities, and directs a family retreat program that offers 26 retreats annually throughout the U.S. and internationally. At Ground Zero she and four other Joni and Friends staff members ministered to the severely injured, those who had lost family members or needed to leave behind co-workers with disabilities when they escaped the Twin Towers. Charles also ministers to someone with disabilities at home: Her husband, Jess, is a quadriplegic.

2007 Alumni of the Year

Distinguished Service Award

Jacob H. Rittenhouse, Class of '57

          Jacob H. Rittenhouse '57, recently retired from Hesston College after serving as director of choirs and music instructor for the past 15 years. Jake also served 24 years in public secondary education in Phoenix and Tempe, and three years on a Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona. Jake and his wife, Nancy, are the parents of two grown sons, Brian and Gavin.

Outstanding Achievement Award

Earl L. Derstine, Class of '65

          Earl L. Derstine '65, has been the owner of Derstine's, Inc. since 1983 (formerly Alderfer Food Co.). Prior to that time, Earl worked at Bergey’s, Inc., where he began pumping gas and progressed to become the operation manager of retail stores. Earl and his wife, Janis, are the parents of two grown children, Heidi Derstine DeFehr ’89 and Zachariah Christian ’97.

The Alumni of the Year awards were presented at the Appreciation Dinner on Friday, October 19, 2007.

 2006 Alumni of the Year

The recipients of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School’s 2006 Alumni of the Year awards were announced recently. Beth (Brenneman) Styer, a 1967 graduate, received the Distinguished Service Award. Phil Lederach, a 1976 graduate of Dock, received the Outstanding Achievement Award. This is the seventh year the awards were presented.

Distinguished Service Award
Beth (Brenneman) Styer, Class of '67

          The Distinguished Service Award is based on mission or service involvement since graduation while the Outstanding Achievement Award is based on academic, professional, or business accomplishments since graduation from Christopher Dock.

            Since high school, Styer’s mission and service experiences have literally reached around the world. From teaching at a school in India to directing an organization that supports and educates pregnant and parenting teens in Doylestown, her ability to think and act locally and globally is apparent. Styer is the director of Child, Home and Community (CHC), a community resource for pregnant and parenting teens, offering childbirth, parenting, and support classes.  For the past 20 years, her work helps create a safe place for young pregnant women and gives babies a chance to begin their life healthier than they would without this organization. Styer has been involved with mothers and babies through her work with La Leche League International, UNICEF, and the World Alliance of Breastfeeding Action (WABA). For the past 10 years, Styer has been a volunteer member for the steering committee of WABA. She has been chairperson the past three years. She resides in Telford with her husband Jim. They have two sons, Andrew and Michael.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Phil Lederach, Class of '74

           Lederach is president of Lederach Associates, an architectural firm in Lederach that has made a mark on this community’s landscape for over five decades. The firm was started by his grandfather, Charles M. Talley, and in 1972 transitioned to Phil’s father, Paul Lederach, when it became Paul E. Lederach Jr. P.C.  In 1981, Lederach Associates, Architects + Engineers, was born. Phil’s special talent is to create a unique building that also fits the community. His signature is a building that is pleasant, inviting, and yet coincides with its surroundings. He served as a member of the Lower Salford Township Planning Commission for 25 years. Lederach and his wife, Brenda, reside in Lederach. They are the parents of one daughter, Carolyn, a senior at Dock.
 

2005 Alumni of the Year

Awards were presented at the CD Appreciation Dinner October 22, 2005.

Distinguished Service Award

Arnold ’82 & Marlene ’83 Gehman Derstine

Arnold and Marlene have served in Puebla, Mexico since 1997 and have recently returned to the states.  While serving in Mexico, Arnold was the assistant pastor at Maranatha Church, where he also worked with home training for cell group leaders.  Marlene served as the church administrator and worked with intercessory prayer and women’s ministry.  They are the first alumni married couple to receive this award.  Arnold and Marlene are the parents of three daughters, and we are excited to have their oldest daughter, Sara, on campus this fall! 

Oustanding Achievement Award

Douglas A. Landis ‘76

Doug is a professor in the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University and has been published extensively in journals, books, and reviews.  Doug’s areas of expertise are the use of biological agents to control pests and agricultural landscape designs to maximize stability and sustainability.  He is a recognized expert who is increasingly called upon to advise federal and international agencies on issues related to agricultural sustainability.  Doug and his wife, Joy, have two children.