The Clarendon College Ex-Students Association bestowed its Distinguished Alumnus Award on two former students during the 73rd CC Alumni Banquet last Saturday in the Bairfield Activity Center.
Ruth Robinson and Laura Hommel, were each recognized for professional and personal achievements, civic responsibility, and continuing support of Clarendon College.
“We are here tonight to recognize two of the finest women ever to walk the halls of Clarendon College,” association president Ashlee Estlack said.
Laura Stowe Hommel was a member of the Class of 1991 and came to Clarendon by way of House, New Mexico, to be one what was then known as Jerry’s Kids… a judger under Jerry Hawkins. Laura got very involved at Clarendon College, working on the yearbook and becoming very active in the student body.
She met and married Chad Hommel and they made their life in Clarendon, where Laura developed a reputation for working as a teacher for kids with special needs at Clarendon ISD. Today, she continues to exhibit compassion, patience, and love as she teaches disabled children to be more self-confident and more independent. She makes her students feel successful and gives them brighter futures. In addition, she also volunteers her time in service to God and as 4-H leader
Laura Hommel represents the best of Clarendon College when it comes to caring and compassion and leading a life in service to others.
Hommel was unable to attend Saturday’s presentation, but she sent prepared remarks to be read for her.
“I feel very honored to have been chosen for this award,” Hommel wrote. “It brings me even greater honor to have my name announced with Ruth Robinson. Thanks for all the college has done for this community, the students, and me.”
Ruth Robinson, who graduated in 1947, can claim more of a connection to Clarendon College than most people. One of her relatives literally turned the first shovel of dirt to build the institution and another won a foot race to be the first student in 1898.
Her own life’s story would eventually find her working at Clarendon College for 18 years as a counselor, where she guided literally thousands of students down the roads of their education, taking a personal interest in each one and the classes they needed to take to get them where they wanted to go.
After her retirement, she soon found her way back to serving Clarendon College, this time on the Board of Regents, where she is now one of its longest serving members. She is also a past president of the Saints’ Roost Museum and has served on the Chamber of Commerce board and the Donley County Historical Commission.
She remains active in the Methodist Church, the Pathfinders Club, and Les Beaux Arts Club; and she is known for her helpfulness and her love for Clarendon College and its students.
Also during Saturday night’s banquet, CC President Robert Riza delivered remarks about the state of college and its accomplishments over the last three years. He also discussed the role of Clarendon College in the lives of students and thanked those in attendance for their support of CC and encouraged them to continue that support.
Proceeds from the evening, which included a wine pull and silent auction, will go to the association’s scholarship fund.
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