William Penn names the recipient of the 2013 Torch Award
Wagoner Family
The family of Otha and Irene Wagoner from Marshalltown, Iowa will be inducted into the William Penn University Alumni Hall of Fame at this year’s Homecoming Recognition Banquet on Friday, October 4. The Wagoner family has been chosen to receive the 2013 Torch Award. This award is given to an alumni family of at least two generations; consideration is also given to families that have shown loyalty and interest in the programs and ideals of the university.
Otha and Irene had four sons and one daughter- Richard, John, David, Bill, and Mary. The Wagoner family ties lie not only with William Penn but also with Quaker values and the Friends Church. Their son Bill, who graduated in 1957, went on to work in the missionary field for 12 years in Jamaica. After returning, Bill pastored at many Friends churches in the states. He was Director of World Missions for Friends United Meeting from 1985 to 1996.
John attended William Penn and graduated in 1958. He continued pastoring churches but soon came back to Penn in 1964 as Director of Development. After 20 years of building a comprehensive development program and numerous relationships for the college, John was asked to serve the college as its 23rd president. Daughter Mary also graduated from William Penn in 1965 with a degree in elementary education.
Each of John’s four children attended William Penn at some point in their collegiate career as well as one of Mary’s daughters.
The Wagoner family has held a unique tie to William Penn due to their generations of family attending the college and their involvement with several Friends Churches. For their commitment to the University and to the Quaker values on which it was founded, William Penn University is honored to present the 2013 Torch Award to the Otha and Irene Wagoner family.
This year’s Homecoming will also celebrate the 140th Anniversary of William Penn. A complete schedule of events can be found on the university website, www.wmpenn.edu.
