Welcome to Council Awards, the Great Rivers Council, BSA repository for information about official awards and recognitions. Each year, some of our council’s and community’s top leaders are honored with special service awards.
The Boy Scouts of America Council Alumnus of the Year Award is the Scouting Alu
mni Association’s highest council recognition. The award was established to recognize alumni of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) who, over a sustained period of time, have used the skills and values they learned through their association with Scouting to make significant and long-lasting contributions to their local communities through their careers, avocations, and Scouting.
A BSA alumnus includes anyone positively and personally impacted by the BSA—former Scouts, family members of Scouts past and present, community leaders, and the millions of Americans who benefit from Scouting in their communities every day.
The future of any organization is embodied in the value of its program and the contributions of its alumni over time. The acorn was selected to represent the BSA Council Alumnus of the Year for many reasons including:
- Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.
- Scouts and Scouters plant seeds for trees under which they may never sit.
- The seed-planting analogy is applicable in many faiths and cultures.
Alumni of the Year Honorees from Great Rivers Council
The Duty to God Award was started to recognize adult individuals who have demonstrated an exemplary history of transformational leadership in supporting and promoting the spiritual foundation of Scouting. It acknowledges the unswerving dedication to faith, fellowship, and service of those whose character embodies the moral principles and shared ideals of the Boy Scouts of America, Great Rivers Council. The award distinguishes persons who selflessly work to prepare youth for life by perpetuating the merit and legacy of a Scout’s duty to their Creator. Nominations are open to candidates from all faiths and religious groups chartered by the Boy Scouts of America.
Duty to God Honorees from Great Rivers Council
The National Eagle Scout Association established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award (ESSPY) to recognize valuable service of an exceptional nature by an Eagle Scout candidate to a religious institution, school, community or other entity through completion of an Eagle Scout project.
Examples of projects that have been selected for the ESSPY include projects that benefited underprivileged children, recognized veterans, were international in nature, and have required significant time and resources.
Selection of recipients begins at the local level and is conducted through the Council.
Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award Honorees from Great Rivers Council
2022 – Rusty Parrish, Troop 90
The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award was established in 1969 to acknowledge Eagle Scouts who have received extraordinary national-level recognition, fame, or eminence within their field, and have a strong record of voluntary service to their community.
The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is the National Eagle Scout Association’s highest recognition. The Award was established to recognize Eagle Scouts who, after 25 years or longer of having received the Eagle Scout Award, have reached the highest national level of success in their field. In addition, these recipients have demonstrated a strong record of volunteer leadership service to their community.
Distinguished Eagle Scout Honorees from Great Rivers Council
2019 – Randy Coil
2014 – Don Walsworth
2014 – Gary Forsee
2011 – Governor Jay Nixon
2010 – Dr. Robert Doroghazi
2009 – Lt. Governor Peter Kinder
2008 – Dr. Ed Blaine
2008 – Dr. Hugh Jerry Murrell
2005 – Richard Mendenhall
2004 – George Taylor
2003 – Charles Kruse
1999 – Clyde G. Lear
1998 – David B. Keller
1996 – Honorable Stephen Limbaugh
1995 – William E. Backer
1994 – Donald B. Ruthenberg
1993 – Robert W. Maupin
1985 – Samual M. Walton
1982 – Robert L.D. “Larry” Davidson
1976 – Louis W. Shelburne
1972 – Robert N. Hunter
The Boy Scouts of America, the Distinguished Citizen Award recognizes noteworthy and extraordinary leadership of citizens in communities across the United States. Honoring distinguished citizenship delivers a message to our youth that character counts. The lives of distinguished citizens put into place guideposts that serve to inspire our youth to lead, to accept responsibility, and to care about principles and causes beyond self-interest.
Distinguished Citizen Honorees from Great Rivers Council
2015 – Robert “Bob” Robuck
Conservation and the Boy Scouts of America have been partners for a long time. Camping, hiking, and respect for the outdoors are a part of the Scouting heritage. Many of the requirements for advancement from Tenderfoot through the Eagle Scout rank call for an increasing awareness and understanding of the natural sciences. Many former Scouts have become leaders in conserving our environment and protecting it from abuse.
This award is by nomination only and is for an adult Scouter who has rendered distinguished and unusual service to natural resource conservation and environmental improvement over a sustained period (at least 20 years). Nominations are accepted from any recognized conservation/environmental protection organization. The nominee’s accomplishments must be at a regional, national, or international level.
Distinguished Conservationist Award Honorees from Great Rivers Council
2014 – Glenn Chambers