The James F. Dicke College of Business Administration at Ohio Northern University honored seven individuals with Pinnacle Awards at a banquet held Feb. 15.

This prestigious award, which honors individuals who have made the highest commitment to the business college, was presented to John J. Bishop, chairman and chief executive officer of The Motorists Insurance Group; Cheryl Burcham Cotner, executive director of The Future Begins Today; Robert L. Gronlund, chief executive officer and chairman of Wood-Mode Inc.; Robert D. Kerscher, founder, retired chairman and chief executive officer of Lexi-Comp Inc.; Dr. Clayton L. Mathile, former owner, chief executive officer and president of Iams Food Company; Dr. Richard Meininger, former ONU faculty member; and Oscar J. Mifsud, president and chief executive officer of The Mifsud Group.

“We wanted an avenue to publicly say ‘thank you’ to the people who have made significant and sustained gifts to the college,” said James Fenton, dean of the Dicke College of Business Administration. “Through their generosity, they’ve had a tremendous and transformative impact on our students and the business college generally.”

All of the Pinnacle Award recipients, with the exception of Meininger, earned business degrees from Ohio Northern University. Bishop graduated in 1972, Cotner in 1968, Gronlund in 1964, Kerscher in 1970, Mathile in 1962, and Mifsud in 1972. Although not an alumnus, Meininger served on the faculty of the business college for nearly 40 years before retiring in 2012.

The names of this year’s honorees will be added to a fabricated sculpture on the ground floor of Dicke Hall. The contemporary display, constructed of copper, aluminum and stainless steel, stands as a public and enduring testament to the individuals who have reached a pinnacle in their generosity and service to the college.

Photo, from left: Richard Meininger, Robert D. Kerscher, John J. Bishop, Cheryl Burcham Cotner, Robert L. Gronlund and Oscar J. Mifsud.