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 Alumni 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.
Alumnus of the Year Honorees from Great Rivers Council
2022 – Dr. Alan Hillard
Duty to God Honorees from Great Rivers Council
2022 – William Burton
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
2023 – Andrew Dowden, Troop 6
2022 – Rusty Parrish, Troop 90
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
Distinguished Citizen Honorees from Great Rivers Council
2015 – Robert “Bob” Robuck
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
The award is merit-based. No consideration is given to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, socio-economic status of parents, activity or success of other family members in Scouting, or other scholarships or financial aid. This is not a community service award. There will be 3 awards annually of $10,000 each.
Doroghazi Eagle Scout Award Honorees from Great Rivers Council
2022 – Captain Patrick Graf – studying Internal Medicine with US Army, Albert Muenks – Biochemistry at University of Washington, Zachary Reger – Legislative Attorney for US House, Ethan Veit – Biomedical Science at Mount Sinai
2021 – Cody Alan Mueller-Mechanical Engineer at Thermavant Technologies; Zachary Reger-University of Chicago Law School
2020 – Kyle Gulshen-Cal Tech, Physics; Adam Schmitz-2nd Lt, US Army; Nathan Thibon-Wash U. Law
2019 – Michael Doman-Stanford Law; Joseph Ege-Ag Econ; Trevor Muzzy-Pilot, USAF
2018 – Drew Greaves-UMKC, Law
2017 – Jordan Occena-PhD, MI; Andrew Turner-MIT, Physics; James Weagley-Wash. U, Genetics
2016 – Samuel Bergin-MD., USAF; Cole Pruitt-Film Producer, Physics; Kevyn Wiskirchen-Wildlife Biol
2015 – Zachary Brown-DDS, MD; Allen Cowherd-Marines; Arthur Jago-PhD, Stanford
2014 – Matt Coudron-MIT, Comp. Sci.; Frank Foss-Capt., Bronze Star; Lucas Tucker-S&T, Engineer
2013 – Jacob Day-MD, Hopkins; Ian Faust-MIT, Engineer; Ryan Occena-Fulbright Scholar
2012 – Evan Cameron-MD, Army; Todd Gingrich-Rhodes Scholar; Andrew Reiff-Entrepreneur