William Penn names the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Service Award

John Eberline

John Eberline, a 1968 graduate of William Penn College will be inducted into the William Penn University Alumni Hall of Fame posthumously at this year’s Homecoming Recognition Banquet. John was informed this spring of his selection as one of two recipients for the 2013 Distinguished Service Award. Sadly John passed shortly thereafter, leaving his wife Connie to accept the award on his behalf at the October 4 banquet.

While a student at Penn, John was a member of the men’s basketball team and served as the Sports Editor for the Oskaloosa Herald from 1966 through 1970. After graduation, Eberline became the Sports Information Director for William Penn; a position he held until 1970, and again from 1988 to 1991.

John spent many years in the newspaper business, predominately in Iowa and Idaho, serving as writer, editor, manager, and publisher. His writing style earned him the Idaho Columnist of the Year Award in 1979, and runner-up in 1985.

John rejoined the staff at William Penn once again in 1993 as the Alumni Relations/Media Relations Director. He also served on the Board of Trustees and was dedicated to making the William Penn Athletics Booster Club the success that it is today. His work with the Booster Club was not a function of his job responsibilities, but he identified the value it would add to the campus, community, and athletic programs. An avid golfer, John participated in and helped to coordinate numerous WP golf outing fundraisers—all across the county. For his devotion to William Penn Athletics and for his accomplishments as an athlete; John was inducted into the William Penn Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.

John’s absence weighs heavily on the campus community. In honor of the many years of dedication and support, William Penn University is proud to recognize the late John Eberline with the 2013 Distinguished Service Award.