ALUMNI AWARDS

Toni Romano BA ’57

Toni Romano, a 1957 graduate of Anderson (College) University, with a BS in Christian education, has personified a life of service. When she graduated from high school her mother wrote “Remember in the second grade at Roach School, Miss Matheny appointed you a member of the ‘Committee to Water the Pumpkin Seeds’, and that started your life of service.”

After giving her heart to God at the altar of the Macon Street Church of God at the tender age of seven, Toni became active in the local church. Following in the footsteps of her parents, Cleo and Antonio Romano, she served many years in local, state, and international church activities. As a teenager, she taught kindergartners in Sunday school and performed various capacities for local and state Youth Fellowship Programs.

Toni entered Anderson College in 1953 as an individual who had already distinguished herself as a leader. At 16 years old she was the youngest person elected to the office of secretary of the International Youth Fellowship of the Church of God. As a freshman at Anderson College, Toni was elected secretary of the class and served as editor of the college yearbook during her junior and senior years. All the while, Toni worked part-time in the School of Theology Library.  Her academic experience and co-curricular activities resulted in her being listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges – 1956-1957.

In 1957 Toni married a fellow student, Manker Harris, a ministerial candidate from Chattanooga Tennessee. Manker received his Master of Divinity degree from the Anderson College School of Theology in 1962. That same year, they began their next avenue of service with a move to Lansing, Michigan where Manker became co-pastor of the Pennway Church of God. 

In addition to caring for her three daughters, born from 1959 to 1965, Toni was also active as a volunteer in the Christian education program. One of her primary accomplishments was creating a new educational unit which included age-appropriate classrooms. Together, Manker and Toni initiated the extension of the Sunday school session for elementary-age children while their parents attended the morning worship service. The couple also created a parent-cooperative nursery school that operated in the church year-round. Although Toni did not have a teaching license, the Decatur public school system allowed her to teach using her experience in Christian education.

In 1966, during the era of civil unrest and the Vietnam War protests, Manker was called by the Decatur Area Council of Churches in Illinois to serve as minister of the ecumenical community. Meanwhile, Toni was elected president of the newly formed Decatur Association for Racial Equality (DARE) and represented the organization on the Black Central Coordinating Committee (BCCC). 

While the Harrises were living in Decatur, another avenue of service opened up for Toni. In 1969 she, along with several mothers, spearheaded another parent-cooperative nursery school. At this time the mothers of kindergarten children expressed interest in the open education movement, where classrooms were designed around “interest centers.” Children were encouraged to learn from their interests at their own pace. Toni and the mothers found an abandoned school building, cleaned it up, hired a teacher from the Teacher Corps, and opened classes for kindergarten through third grade. The program was multi-racial, multi-cultural, and offered scholarships for inner-city children. Mothers assisted in the classroom. The success of The New School was featured by being a major story in the January 8,1971 issue of Life Magazine.

Two years later a new opportunity to be of service presented itself—the secular world of work. In 1973, as director of The Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA), Toni spent the next several years serving in various capacities in the War on Poverty. At the local level, she headed up job training programs for economically disadvantaged youth, dislocated workers, and displaced homemakers.

This opportunity expanded to Toni’s appointment in 1976 as the coordinator of a three-year interagency grant to work with the Illinois Community College Board (IBBC) offering training for people working in poverty programs throughout the state. Then in 1979, Toni was named director of another three-year grant awarded to the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) to prepare professionals working in the CETA programs. At the end of that contract in 1985, Toni was hired by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) located in Chicago to monitor and offer technical assistance to local job training programs.

In spite of a busy work schedule, Toni earned a Master of Arts in 1975 from the University of Illinois, Springfield with a major in human development counseling. 

When the state of Illinois offered early retirement in 1991, Toni accepted the package and moved into yet another area of service. She began exploring spiritual principles and concepts and was introduced to yoga, meditation, and building spiritual community. Toni became active in two non-profit spiritual organizations, the Association for Research and Enlightenment (ARE) and the Personal Transformation and Courage Institute (PTCI). For the next several years, Toni traveled throughout the country offering assistance and support to ARE local and area groups. She authored several articles published in the ARE journal and created workshops on spiritual development topics.

Upon her third retirement in 2008, Toni continued her life of service by visiting the elderly in nursing homes, caring for friends who were homebound, and volunteering in local activities. In 2020 Toni published her memoir, Growing Into Wisdom and Grace: Evolving from Religion to Spirituality. 

Previous Award Recipients

Derek Mallory BA ’17

I believe that God has written my life’s story beautifully in a way that becomes clearer each time I look back, and Anderson University served an essential part in my story. I primarily decided to attend AU to run track and field. I always liked the sport growing up. I was coached in grade school by my father, Derrek (with two Rs), who ran when he was younger and wrote for Indy Star Sports for a time. I was cheered on by my mother, Marjorie, who was glad I was bad at football because she hated watching me get tackled. I started track and field when I was eight, but I was never quite good enough to make varsity in high school until my coach asked me to try running the hurdle events my junior year. I was not the tallest or strongest or quickest on the team, but I enjoyed breaking down the technique of hurdling and grew to love the discipline it entailed. During my senior year, I started researching colleges where I could be competitive in track, and I stumbled across a Christian university nearby with two future All-Americans in Max Kittle and Brad McNeil. I can definitively look back and see how my coach’s small suggestion to run a different event led to everything I’ve experienced in my life to this point. 

Going to a small university like AU allowed me to spread my wings, so to speak. I was in the Honors program where I was taught by many kind but challenging professors. I joined the Avanti Boosters social club where I got to serve in many roles with Christ-like men. I ran alongside so many talented and driven athletes who made long practices and weightlifting sessions fun. I made many lifelong friends, including Coach Max Kittle, now at Cedarville University, and Dr. Ben McKenzie, now in Lexington, Kentucky, the best men in my wedding, and fellow track teammate Isaac Wonderlin, whose nomination has allowed me to receive this honor. 

But the greatest award I ever received from Anderson University was my wife Courtney (King) Mallory, a fellow Raven teammate. Together, we own four AU track and field records… with my wife owning all four. When we weren’t running or studying, Courtney and I also loved serving those with disabilities through Special Olympics Track & Field and Differently Abled, an AU ministry where we helped host Bible studies and provide fellowship for adults with disabilities in the community. Courtney now works at Easterseals Crossroads in Indianapolis as a speech-language pathologist helping children with complex medical conditions gain the ability to speak through augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. Courtney has awoken passions within me, loved me in a way that no one else ever could, and gracefully challenged me to pursue my faith. We got married two years after we had both graduated from AU, and we loved having many of our Raven teammates celebrate our wedding with us. 

With Courtney’s love and guidance, I have taken on many pursuits that I never could have imagined. I graduated from AU in 2017 with an exercise science major. I then earned my Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2021 from the University of Indianapolis. I am currently a physical therapist at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana where I serve patients in helping them regain physical independence after experiencing a traumatic brain injury or stroke. I have recently started leading a brain injury support group where these patients can meet monthly to share triumphs and setbacks during their journey to recovery. 

Outside the workplace, Courtney and I have become very involved with Traders Point Christian Church in downtown Indianapolis. We recently returned from leading a mission trip through our church to Kenya earlier this year to visit Missions of Hope International, or MOHI. Our trips to Kenya have been impactful in so many ways, but just like our time at AU, we have always been drawn to special needs. We loved getting the chance during this year’s trip to partner with MOHI’s disabilities ministry. Children with disabilities and their families have historically been rejected from Kenyan society, but MOHI’s ministry is teaching the community that these children are made in God’s image. While in Kenya, we had the opportunity to visit old friends from our previous trips and make new ones. We have been fortunate to use our therapy skills in Kenya with an emphasis on training and empowering Kenyan teachers, social workers, and mothers to continue loving and serving these children after we return to America. 

As Courtney and I look to the future for what God has for us, we can’t help but see how formative our time at AU was. We pray that God continues opening doors for us to love his people in accordance to his will and that we have the boldness to walk through those doors with full trust in him.

Previous Award Recipients

Lisa Pay

In 1982, Ted Baker from the admissions office called me while I was a senior in high school in Durango, Colorado, encouraging me to come to Anderson College.  My grandparents on both sides of my family, my parents, aunts and uncles, and several cousins had already attended, and I was next up. Ted found scholarships and my grandparents had saved enough to enable me to come to AC. I graduated in 1986 and became an official Hoosier. I am a fifth-generation Church of God attendee with my great-grandmother coming through Ellis Island from Czechoslovakia. President Reardon would later tell me that my grandmother,  Sister Wallace often stood up in the congregation at the old Park Place Church on testimony night (Sunday evenings) and pronounced that ‘she had the victory’ in one situation or another. My uncle, Don Dawson had been the Dean of Men and my grandfather, I.K. Dawson, was instrumental in beginning the Missions Board. It was pre-destiny, I guess, for me to land in Anderson.

 College memories of Cheap Thrills, runs to Dunkin Donuts, Waffle House, Morrison and Rice Hall, Steven and Herb Chapman beginning their music careers, “The Family’s” off-campus dances, that were secretly advertised by slipping time/location information under dorm doors (dancing was not allowed on campus at the time), and driving on I-70 to Colorado with Chris Luekenga, Danny Dodge, and Lolly Bargerstock on college breaks in the dead of winter are some of my fondest memories and best stories. The most memorable chapel in Park Place Church was when Brennan Manning spoke—I began to understand at a deep level the relentless tenderness of Abba. Being active in CAB with Karen Hamilton on the ‘reel committee’ where we were responsible for ‘editing’ the movies we showed on campus was a delight.

Graduating with a degree in social work, later an MSW, and finally a clinical license has enabled me to serve at AU, in my community, and in various church settings. Both of my daughters, Morgan Pay Staley and Madison Pay Harper, have been a part of AU and have benefited from the rich music environment here. Both daughters are married to young men with a CHOG family background, Landon Staley and Justin Harper. My husband of three years, Ronn Johnston, was the director of theater at AU for 20 years after coming from the sunny hills of Los Angeles to Anderson in 1995. We were both western folks who eventually made our lives here in the Midwest. 

I worked at Aspire Indiana right after undergrad and upon completion of graduate work came back to direct the counseling center at AU from 1990 to 2000. Being part of the Department of Student Life at AU under the tutelage of H.L. Baker and Jerry Grubbs was a joy. Department retreats at Linda Cummin’s lake house are some of my favorite memories. 

I began teaching in the social work program at AU in 2000. I have practiced social work with the seriously mentally ill, persons impacted by domestic violence, survivors of sexual abuse and assault, and families and children. I have implemented several Christ-based 12 step recovery programs for churches and organizations, such as Celebrate Recovery. The private practice I have been a part of is called Lives Transforming: A counseling and discipleship ministry. 

Previous Award Recipients

Jerry Grubbs

Born 84 years ago in South Carolina, Dr. Grubbs is the fifth of six children born to J.C. and Ruth Grubbs. Raised in a pastor’s home, he grew up in his elementary and high school years in West Monroe, Louisiana. At age seventeen he joined the United States Army and served for three years stateside and in Korea.

Following his military service, he returned to West Monroe, Louisiana, and married his childhood sweetheart, Janette Smith. They have been married for 63 years and have two children, eight grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.  

While attending Northeast Louisiana State University, where he received his undergraduate degree in secondary teacher education, he served as senior pastor of the Church of God in Rayville, Louisiana.  In 1966 he moved with his family to Anderson to attend the School of Theology graduating in 1970 with a master’s in religious education.  

In the fall of 1973, while lead pastor of the Tacoma Church of God in Johnson City, Tennessee, Dr. Grubbs was invited by President Robert Reardon and Dean Barry Callen to return to Anderson to teach Christian education in the School of Theology. This began a journey with Anderson spanning some 28 years. During those years he served in the following capacities: professor of Christian education, director of the Center for Pastoral Studies, vice president and dean of the School of Theology, vice president of student life and Intercollegiate Athletics, and dean of the university chapel. 

Additional graduate work was taken at East Tennessee State University, Ball State University, and Indiana University. From the latter he received both masters and doctorate degrees in adult and continuing education.  

An ordained minister in the Church of God, he has been lead pastor in three congregations in Louisiana, Indiana, and Tennessee. Following retirement from Anderson University, he has served twelve congregations of the Church of God in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and Alabama as interim senior pastor.  

His work in the national work of the Church of God has included serving on the Division of Church Service, Long Range Planning Committee of the Executive Council of the Church of God, National Board of Christian Education, Commission on Social Concerns, and the Servant Solutions Board. 

Dr. Grubbs has been a contributing writer to several books and publications and written two small books on teaching doctrine and continuing education for ministry. His doctoral dissertation has received national recognition for its research on teaching methodology of adult learners. 

Special honors that have come to Dr. Grubbs across the years include: President’s White House Conference on Aging (1970), Outstanding Educators of America (1975), Anderson University School of Theology Alumni Service Award (1989), Professor Emeritus of Anderson School of Theology (2001), Alumni Wall of Honor, West Monroe, Louisiana High School (2010), Lead Pastor Emeritus of Chesterfield Community Church of God (2023).

He has traveled and served the church widely, having been in all 50 states and 21 countries. Most often he travels to Honduras where he has served for 35 years as one of the founders and on the board of the ministry, Heart to Honduras. 

His hobbies include reading, travel, writing, golf, and fishing.

A personal note from Dr. Grubbs:

When the door was open for us to return to Anderson and teach in the School of Theology, we began an awesome journey that we could have only dreamed of. I was offered the opportunity to teach at a place and in an area of church ministry that I loved so much. To follow my mentor, Dr. Irene Caldwell, in the chair of Christian education was a special gift.  

I had the privilege of serving under three presidents: Bob Reardon, Bob Nicholson, and James Edwards. During the ups and downs, it was growth-producing and challenging to be on their executive team.

Anderson has been a special place to serve the kingdom of God and the Church of God, my spiritual home. This city and the university community have been a special place to raise our family.

The Grubbs family has a long and healthy relationship with Anderson University. I have two brothers and a sister who also attended Anderson. Then there are both our children and grandchildren. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and others too numerous to count. We trace our heritage with Anderson University back some 77 years to 1947. Gratitude is the only word for these years.

To be nominated and selected for the John H. Kane Loyalty Award is humbling and deeply appreciated. We pledge our continued support of the ministry of this good place and to continue to honor my parents J.C. and Ruth Grubbs as we grow the School of Theology Scholarship we established in their names.

Previous Award Recipients

Michelle Williams, MTS ’15

In 2006, after being ordained for 10 years and experiencing a traumatic church split, Michelle D. Williams was drawn to Anderson University’s School of Theology’s mission of Equipping Women and Men for the ministry of biblical reconciliation. Michelle was attending seminary and working part-time at Church of God Ministries when she was approached about a position in Student Life.

The position was for the Director of Multicultural Student Services. With a social work and ministry background, this role was a stretch as it required some cross-cultural communication dynamics. However, stepping into the role in the 2007-2008 school year, she quickly discovered that her ministry and social work background was put to good use. That was the year that Barack Obama was elected President and the campus (like the Country) experienced major racial unrest. Michelle refers to that first year as a “trial by fire”.

Throughout the preceding seven years, Michelle stood on the University’s commitment to the “ministry of reconciliation” to establish the MLK Day of Service as an official day “off” and organized events to celebrate with the community. The University’s Diversity Committee was rebranded as the “Mosaic” committee. The partnership with the Center for Leadership Development was started as well as the scholarship that accompanies it. Multicultural Student Leadership was fully integrated into the fabric of University Student Leadership. As well, as countless trainings and cultural events. Eventually, Michelle was promoted to Assistant Dean of Students and assumed oversight of the Student Government and Social Clubs as well as the Cultural Resource Center.

Under her leadership, Anderson University received the “Ignite” intercultural integrity award for Mid-West campuses. This award was given to colleges that demonstrated consistent progress toward advancing diversity efforts in 2010. Reflecting on her time at AU, Michelle stated, “My time at AU taught me about leading through traumatic and catalytic times. Racial unrest, student deaths, and continual budget cuts marked my time. However, the mission, the people, and the Spirit of God always shined brightly in the midst of the dark times.”

After leaving AU in 2015, Michelle went on to serve as the Dean of Students at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where she was able to combine her love for the Church with her love for Student Development.

In 2019, Michelle started Shalom Consultants to help individuals, organizations, and ministries of all sizes respond to transitions to stay on mission. With a client roster that includes churches, nonprofits, educational institutions, and individuals, Shalom Consultants provides peace of mind during stressful times.

Currently, Michelle serves as the CEO of Shalom Consultants and the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Firefly Children and Family Alliance. As one of the oldest and largest social service organizations in Indiana, Michelle’s primary role is to help the agency’s 21 State-wide offices and 450+ employees live out and into its vision of inclusive and healthy communities of thriving people.

For over 20 years Michelle has worked with people during some of the most formative and stressful seasons of life. She is a prolific communicator and speaks at conferences, retreats, meetings, and workshops on DEI, leadership, soul care, women’s empowerment, and spiritual well-being. Along with oral communication, Michelle has written numerous articles for various publications and journals and is a dedicated blogger and ghostwriter. She is the co-author of The Diversity Playbook: Recommendations and Guidance for Christian Organizations. Ms. Williams is a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® through the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC) and a certified Inclusive Behaviors Inventory facilitator.

Whether it is within a church setting, a conference room, or the hallowed halls of academia, shepherding people, programs, and policies requires wisdom and grace. These two attributes are the cornerstone of Michelle’s leadership approach. Ultimately, Michelle believes that cultivating meaningful relationships is the key to human thriving, so she is actively involved in her community. As a board member for Regality, Inc. & JUST Community, Inc.; an advisory board member for the Tobias Leadership Center; a legacy leader and mentor at Pass the Torch for Women; and an active member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Indianapolis chapter.

Michelle credits her excellent theological education at AUSOT for helping her navigate the deeply polarizing conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and reconciliation. “At the end of the day, I view what I do as a Love Mandate. I am called to do this work. My seminary education gave me theological conviction and grounding, but my work on the undergraduate side of the house was my ministry proving ground. It was where theory was put into practice EVERY DAY!”

Previous Award Recipients

Previous Award Recipients

Previous Award Recipients