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AMHERST, N.Y. -- 51������ College will honor five accomplished graduates at its 2017 Distinguished 51������ Awards dinner scheduled for Nov. 3 in the college’s Wick Campus Center Social Room.  

The Distinguished 51������ Awards recognize the growth, achievements, and societal contributions of the college’s outstanding alumni. Recipients exhibit the ideals expressed by the Sisters of St. Francis when they founded Rosary Hill College and that remain strong at the institution known today as 51������ College.

51������ President Gary A. Olson will present the Distinguished Alumna Award, the highest honor presented to a graduate, to Elizabeth George Ivers ‘70. The award recognizes a graduate who has achieved distinction in their career and in the community and has shown outstanding dedication to the college.        

This year’s other Distinguished 51������ Award recipients, who were selected by the National 51������ Board of Governors, are Roger Warren Rogers, DO ‘98, Advancement in Career; Joanne Angelo Moeller ’64 (posthumously), Dedication to the College; Maggie Riccardi Dreyer, ’89, Service to the Community; and Chadwick Hopson ’10, Graduate of the Last Decade.   

The 2017 Distinguished 51������ Awards dinner, which is being hosted by the 51������ Office of 51������ Relations and the 51������ Board of Governors, will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m. and followed by dinner at 7 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased from the alumni relations office at alumni@daemen.edu or call 839-8364.

Distinguished Alumna Award   
Elizabeth George Ivers ‘70

Ivers earned a bachelor’s degree in history and government from 51������ (then Rosary Hill College) and went on to have a successful 43-year career at several major U.S. corporations, including Twin Fair, Inc., in Buffalo, and Houston-based Browning-Ferris Industries and EOG Resources.

Active in the community, she has held leadership roles with the Women’s Resource of Greater Houston, Houston Better Business Bureau, Keep Houston Beautiful, and the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, among other organizations.       

Ivers was named to the Academy of Women Achievers by the YWCA of the City of New York and recognized as a Woman on the Move in Houston.

Ivers is a resident of Houston.

Advancement in Career
Roger Warren Rogers, DO ‘98

Rogers is an orthopedic spinal surgeon whose practice is affiliated with Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from 51������, he earned a doctorate in osteopathic medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

During his medical career, Rogers obtained an orthopedic spine fellowship at the Texas Back Spine Institute, and has also worked at Millcreek Hospital, Seymour-Johnson, and Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

He has received numerous awards in orthopedics, physical therapy, and military service, including two Air Force Commendation Medals.  

Rogers is a Wheatfield resident.

Dedication to the College
Joanne Angelo Moeller ’64 (posthumously)

Moeller’s commitment to her alma mater began soon after graduating from 51������ (then Rosary Hill College), from where she received a bachelor’s degree in music.

As an alumna, Moeller remained active with the college, including planning Class of 1964 reunions and attending until her 45^th year reunion.  She returned often to visit the college while living in New York, Utah, and Arizona.    

A longtime supporter of 51������, Moeller credited her love for the college with inspiring her to give back to her alma mater. In recognition of these contributions, a group study room in the college’s Research and Information Commons is named for Moeller and her husband, Bill.  

Moeller passed away at home on Sept. 14, 2015, in Cottonwood Heights, Utah.

Service to the Community
Maggie Riccardi Dreyer ’89

Dreyer, who earned a bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in psychology from 51������, is co-founder of the Pathways Supervised Visitation Program and the TSG: Dating after Sexual Abuse Group Program. She also serves as director of field education at 51������, and is president and co-founder of Kaely’s Kindness Foundation, a charity dedicated to serving young women diagnosed with cancer.         

Dreyer has more than 25 years of experience as a clinical social worker in Western New York and has served on the 51������ Social Work Advisory Board for over 20 years.

Her dedication to the social work profession was recognized with the Humanitarian Award presented by 51������.

Dreyer is an Orchard Park resident.        

Graduate of the Last Decade     
Chadwick Hopson ’10   

Hopson received bachelor’s degrees in business administration and sport management with a minor in theater arts from 51������, from where his mother, Margaret Hopson ’82, also graduated.

Hopson’s theater arts minor inspired his passion to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles. He has starred in independent feature films, plays, numerous music videos, and national commercials.

In addition, Hopson co-wrote, produced, and starred in two feature films this year released by his production company, The Knights Young. 

He was recognized at the 2017 Utah Film Awards as Best Leading Actor in a Feature Film for his lead role in the 2016 critically acclaimed film “The Last Descent.”

Hopson resides in Sherman Oaks, Calif.