Awards

Tom Botts Four-Way Test Award

Until his death on March 1, 1999 at age 94, Tom Botts was the club's oldest member. "Coach," as he was affectionately called because of his tenure as MU track coach from 1946 to 1972, served as Club Secretary for 13 years during the 1970s and 1980s, succeeding Patterson Bain. In recognition of Coach's many years of outstanding service to the club, the community, and the University, he was given a special award by the Board of Directors in 1985, and the "Tom Botts Award" was created. Since that time outstanding service by club members has been recognized by this award.

Award criteria are:

• Exemplify the Rotary four-way test:
  • Is it the truth?
  • Is it fair to all concerned?
  • Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
  • Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
• Exemplary service to Rotary.
• Achievement in business or profession.
• Service to the community.
• Member of the club for at least five years.

See the Board Policies for the Tom Botts Award selection procedure. Click here to go to the Forms page where you will find the Tom Botts Award nomination form.

Past recipients of the Tom Botts Award are as follows († denotes deceased):

• 1985: Tom Botts†
• 1986: Bob Teel, Harry Herman†, Leland Schaperkotter, Herb Schooling†
• 1987: Sam Black†, Elmer Ellis†, Charlie Diggs, Sr., Charles Proctor†
• 1988: Andy Bass†, Bill Bradshaw, Seymour Smith†, Earl English†
• 1989: Sidney Neate†, Sam Langley†, Ed Lambert†, Hugh Stephenson
• 1990: Russell Thompson, Bill Kimel†, B.D. Simon, Albert Price
• 1991: Duke Walthall†, Everette Kahl†, Joe Covington†, Tim Donovan†
• 1992: Robert Karsch†, Robert Shaw†, Ronald Mason, R.D. Ross
• 1993: Kenneth Clark, Paul Kuckelman†, Harold Edwards†, Jack Kennedy
• 1994: Smiley Herrin, Kenneth Freeman†, Tom Payne†, Marvin Shamberger†
• 1995: Adolph Schroeder, Don Ruthenberg
• 1996: Larry Clark
• 1998: Carl Scheneman, Steve Scott
• 1999: Glenn McElroy†
• 2000: David Rogers†
• 2001: Claude Barton, Scott Orr
• 2002: Earl Proctor, Muriel Battle†
• 2003: Deanna Corn, Earl Robert Jones†
• 2004: George Ashley
• 2005: Cindy Mustard
• 2006: Jolene Schulz, Cindy Sheltmire
• 2007: Marty Walker
• 2008: Darcy Wells
• 2009: Judy Elliott (click here for a photo and more information)
• 2010: Melvin Platt (click here for photos and more information)
• 2011: Gertrude and G.B. Thompson (joint award)

Presidential Citation

The Presidential Citation Award is given by Rotary District 6080 to clubs which meet rigorous criteria relating to membership recruitment and retention, as well as service in the areas of international, community and vocational service. The Columbia Rotary Club has received the Presidential Citation for more than 15 consecutive years, most recently for the 2008-2009 program year.