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Houghton University Presents Alumni Awards at Homecoming

October 7, 2022

Houghton University (Houghton, NY) will recognize seven outstanding alumni this year during Homecoming and Family Weekend.

Today, the following honors will be awarded during the Homecoming Legacy Chapel: Alumnus of the Year, Young Alumni of the Year, Distinguished Achievement, Christian Service and the new Fearless Award. The ceremony will be livestreamed starting at 11:20 a.m. EST on Houghton’s social media channels.

Watch the Homecoming Legacy Chapel

Rochester native Gareth “Gary” Larder ‘62, a member of Houghton University’s Board of Trustees, will be honored as the Alumnus of the Year in tribute to his longstanding commitment to Houghton and the Rochester community. Buffalo native Chelsea Ellis ‘12 will receive the first-ever Fearless Award in recognition of her incredible courage in the face of overwhelming trials following a 2020 car accident that left her paralyzed.

Additionally, four music alumni will be honored for their work in the music field as a part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Houghton University’s accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Nathaniel ’14 MM ’16 and Elena (Velazquez ’14 MM ’16) Efthimiou will be recognized as Young Alumni of the Year, Jordan Markwood ‘05 will receive the Distinguished Achievement Award for his work in music education, and Stanley Wicks ‘79 will be presented with the Christian Service Award for his life-long career as a church music director.