2024 ALUMNI AWARDS

The annual alumni awards presentation was a highlight of York University’s Homecoming Chapel on October 19, 2024.

Alumnus of the Year

ROD GENRICH ’71

Alumnus of the Year recipient, Rod Genrich ’71, describes York as the place where “he received an associate degree in science and was set on a Christian pathway lasting forever when he was baptized.” Genrich grew up on a farm near Elgin, Nebraska, 80 miles northwest of York. After York, he completed a bachelor’s degree in comprehensive biology at the University of Nebraska Kearney.

Genrich’s varied work experiences have included carpet laying to farming to work in the field of oil and gas regulation. Rod says that, “The church has always been our home wherever we have lived.” He has served as a deacon or elder at the last three congregations they have attended, and has also served as a teacher, Bible study leader and worked with the youth.

Genrich has been a selfless contributor to York University for years. He hates this recognition, but he deserves it for quietly supporting the mission of the school and blessing the lives of many students through his giving.

He and his wife, Rosalyn, live in Bismarck, N.D. They have been married for 50 years and have two grown children, Amber and Bethany, and three grandchildren.

Young Alumni of the Year

GRANT RATHE ’03 & AMANDA (DEBERRY ’02) RATHE

Both Grant ’03 and Amanda (DeBerry ’02) Rathe received their bachelor’s degrees from York University, hers in accounting and his in biblical studies with an emphasis in youth ministry. Both hold master’s degrees from Trevecca Nazarene University, received in 2009. Amanda finished her CPA license in 2011 and also holds the prestigious Chartered Global Management Accounting designation.

Amanda is the director of accounting for Tractor Supply Company since March and previously worked for Verizon. Grant is currently a stay-at-home dad, but has worked as a cybersecurity analyst and holds a Cyber Defense Certificate from the University of Central Florida.

Grant and Amanda have been monthly donors since May 2004 and “appreciate all that York gave to them as students and love to be able to give back.”

Amanda and Grant have two adopted sons, Miles (12) and Lance (10) whom they have had since birth. Grant, Amanda and their sons live in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Servant Leader Award

MARQUISETTE BICKFORD ’84

Marquisette Bickford ’84, received the Servant Leader Award in recognition of outstanding service in the Kingdom. In 2022, Marquisette retired from a corporate career and moved across the world to Arusha, Tanzania, where she serves others as the sponsorship coordinator for Neema Village. The York alumna who nominated Marquisette wrote, “Marquisette became an integral part of a team to serve a desperately vulnerable population with love in the name of Jesus. In a place where many women die in childbirth, they provide hope.”

Marquisette grew up in Iowa, the child of 1961 York College alumnus, Ward Bickford. She and two of her sisters were among the first wave of students to enroll who were second-generation Yorkies.

She completed her bachelor’s in management at Oklahoma Christian and went on to a 35-year career in corporate America, finishing those years at DST Systems in Kansas City.

During these years, she served in a variety of ways including on boards for the Heartland Christian Daycare-Preschool, IA-NE-KAMO Christian Camp, and Tallgrass Christian Camp. She was also a member of the York College President’s Council.

Neema Village is a rescue center for abandoned, orphaned, and at-risk babies. As an outreach to the community, Neema Village offers a free special needs daycare, a program that provides an opportunity for eligible women to become self-sufficient through entrepreneurial opportunities and a safe birthing training program for traditional Maasai birthers.

Legacy Award

KINNEY FAMILY

The Lester and Lorna Kinney Family was recognized with the Legacy Award, the fourth family to receive this honor since it was introduced in 2012. It recognizes families with multigenerational, enduring ties to York University.

Lester and Lorna Kinney of Council Bluffs, Iowa, never enrolled at York, but their connection to the school continues to grow even after they are gone. The prequel featured Lester’s father, Lindsey who supported the newly reopened York College in the 1950s.

The story got serious when Lester and Lorna’s son, Tom ’76, enrolled in 1974. He was followed by younger sister, Lori (Kinney ’85) Seilstad, and brother, Troy ’86. And although their fourth and oldest child, Andrea Kinney Leinen, did not attend York, her kids led the way when it was time for the grandchildren to go to college. At last count, along with the three originals, 14 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren (so far), and seven spouses totaling 27 Kinney family members have attended York University since the fall of 1974. Anyone who attended York since the mid-1990s was likely on campus with a Kinney, Leinen, Seilstad, or now, an Ogle.

The family is also well represented on campus working as faculty and staff. Our registrar, provost, coach for dance and cheer, and our director of online and graduate enrollment all have a Kinney connection. Even York University Online boasts an instructor whose maiden name was Kinney.

On top of all of this, Lester and Lorna were long-time financial contributors to York. Beginning with a donation in 1963, their giving would span five decades until Lester passed away in 2014.