The Rita M. Costello Town-N-Gown Community Service Award
The recipients of this award are honored by the board of directors of Town-N-Gown, an independent information association of men and women dedicated to developing a mutual understanding between Old Dominion University and the various civilian and military communities of Greater Hampton Roads. The award recognizes individuals from many aspects of the larger community who have demonstrated unusual concern for and commitment to serving others. The recipients are recognized for cumulative and continuing service to the community over a period of years. This award is named in honor of Rita M. Costello, who served as President of Town-N-Gown of Old Dominion University twice and held many other leadership positions in the organization over the years. She passed away in September 2007.
Past Award Winners
- 2016 - Reverend Curtis W. Harris and William A. Hunton Family YMCA
- 2015 - Paul and Susan Hirschbiel
- 2014 - RADM Byron "Jake" E. Tobin USN (Ret.)
- 2013 - Gail Easley, Executive Director of the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center
- 2012 - Roger Fuller '72, '76, '81
- 2011 - Julie Hill
- 2010 - Karen Scherberger '77
- 2009 - Hugh Copeland
- 2008 - Jerry Bridges, Beverly K. Sell
- 2007 - Rita M. Costello, Helen M. Bernd '72, The Honorable Paul D. Fraim
- 2006 - Alice Coles, William A. Drewry
- 2005 - Urban League of Hampton Roads Inc., Linda F. Rohrer '72, and Theresa W. Whibley '74, MD
- 2004 - American Red Cross of Southeastern Virginia, Dominion Virginia Power, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia
- 2003 - ACCESS - Tidewater Scholarship Foundation & Office of Student Activities and Leadership, ODU
- 2002 - College of Health Sciences, ODU & Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men Inc.
- 2001 - Joseph M. Donnelly, A. James English Jr. '82
- 2000 - John R. Morison & Elain P. Witty
- 1999 - A. Rufus ('33) & Sara H. ('66, '69) Tonelson
- 1998 - Constance C. Laws '67, Junius H. Williams Jr.
- 1997 - Ralph J. Nahra
- 1996 - Juan Montero II, MD
- 1995 - Justine L. Nusbaum
- 1994 - Bessie M. Pender '93, Harry R. Purkey '68, Charles B. Sowell '95
- 1993 - Clifford Adams and The Rev. Joseph N. Green
- 1992 - Ellen Harvey
