In January of 2005, the Cornell Association of Class Officers established the William “Bill” Vanneman ’31 Outstanding Class Leader Award to recognize Cornell alumni who, in their capacity as class officers, have provided long-term exemplary service to the university and to their individual classes. The award is appropriately named in honor of Bill Vanneman ’31, who served his class tirelessly for over 75 years.

2023 Recipient

Martha Clark Mapes ’48, MS ’49 Human Ecology

Martha has been a dedicated Class of 1948 leader for decades, having held many leadership positions including Class President, Vice President, Reunion Chair and member of Class Council She cares deeply about helping her classmates maintain their connection to the class and Cornell. Martha was instrumental in leading the class project to raise money for AguaClara Cornell, the multidisciplinary student engineering team that develops sustainable water treatment technology with real world applications in countries like Honduras and India. Having co-planned many previous Reunions, Martha is now serving as the sole Reunion Chair, working tirelessly to plan the class of 1948’s 75th Reunion in June. She’s in charge of arranging every detail, from student entertainment, to music selections, to special guest visits, and more.

In addition to her class service, Martha has been active in Human Ecology, the Cornell Club of Ithaca, and the Ithaca community. Martha worked for many years for Cornell’s Division of Nutritional Sciences Cooperative Extension program before retirement and continues to reside in Ithaca, NY.

Past Recipients

2022 Linda Jarschauer Johnson ’60, MS ’63
2021 Richard Hoffman ’67
2020 Dick Haggard ’58, PhD ’65 & Connie Haggard ’58
2019 Paul Blanchard ’52
2018 Chuck Hunt ’58
2017  Marshall Frank ’61 & Rosanna Frank ’61
2016  Jean Pearson ’48
2015  Stanley Rodwin ’50
2014  Shigeo “Shig” Kondo ’43
2013  Robert “Bob” Persons ’48
2012  Jack and Inger Gilbert ’49
2011  Jane Hardy ’53
2010  Peter D. Schwarz ’47
2009  S. Miller Harris ’43
2008  Edward Shineman ’37
2007  William & Elsie Doolittle ’38
2006  James C. Hanchett ’53
2005  William “Bill” Vanneman ’31