The Helen Bull Vandervort Alumni Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed upon Cornell Human Ecology (CHE) alumni. The award is presented to a CHE alumna/us who has demonstrated qualities exemplified by the late Helen Bull Vandervort '26 - a desire to be of service to her communities and attained outstanding success and distinction in their chosen profession or life's work.

The award is presented to one who has made significant achievements and contributions to their profession and community and is recognized for leadership, innovation, and the realization of Cornell Human Ecology’s mission to challenge convention to improve human lives. Strong candidates will have demonstrated important creative effort or accomplishment with societal or educational value, and made a lasting impact through voluntary and/or philanthropic accomplishments.

Nominations are reviewed annually in February but can be submitted year-round. SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION

Learn more about Helen Bull Vandervort '26

Helen Bull Vandervort: From Dairy Farm to Civic Leadership

Helen Bull Vandervort was born on a dairy farm near Middletown, N.Y. After graduating from the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University, she served as Home Demonstration Agent in Lewis and Sullivan Counties. She was married to John Vandervort, a 1923 graduate of Cornell's Veterinary School.

While raising her two children, she began her volunteer involvement in the local Parent Teacher Association, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Youth Activities. From there her interests grew and expanded to other local organizations and then beyond her local community to county and state-wide service.

With her strong desire to be of service, Vandervort’s volunteer and leadership commitment to civic, cultural and business organizations led her to lifelong achievements and recognition by the communities and groups she supported. She received many honors for her dedication to public service, business initiatives and community involvement.

In 1962 she was named "Woman of the Year" by the Business and Professional Women's Club of Ithaca, N.Y., and in 1966 was named "Woman of Achievement" in the career category by the Syracuse Post Standard. A wing of the Harriet May Mills Building at the New York State Exposition was named in her honor.

Past Recipients of the Helen Bull Vandervort Alumni Achievement Award:

2023 - Dr. Jacqueline Ann Davis-Manigaulte ‘72 2002 — Nancy Schlegel Meinig '62
2022 - Dorothy Schefer Faux '69 2001 — Margaret Bailey Redmond '52
2020 — Dr. Paul M. Sethi '93 2000 — Francille M. Firebaugh PhD '62
2019 — Cynthia B. Green '79 1999 — Martha Rausch Ohaus '47
2018 — Nava R. Silton '02 1998 — Grace Richardson MS '62
2017 — Neysa Etienne '94 1997 — Carmen Luz de Ramos MS '63
2016 — Rosanna Frank '61 1996 — Bernice M. Hopkins '32
2015 — Joan Klein Jacobs '54 1995 — Judith Kellner Rushmore '65
2014 — Lauri Miller Brotman '86 1994 — Patricia Gunderson Stocker '53
2013 — Margo G. Wootan '86 1993 — Joan Hartford Ferreira '51
2012 — Eleanor Dillon Petigrow '87 1992 — Robert D. Schultz '77, MBA '78
2011 — Rebecca Q. Morgan '60 1991 — Charlotte Williams Conable '51
2010 — Arden S. Handler '76 1990 — Jane Stevens Gore MS '68, PhD '77
2009 — Lynn Edelstein Heymont '73 1989 — Ruby Douglas Walters '72, MS '74
2008 — Carol B. Aslanian '63 1988 — Leah Bissonette Bell ’73
2007 — Lucy H. Jarvis '38 1987 — Carol Sue Epstein Hai '60
2006 — Ronni Chernoff '67 1986 — Alice Sanderson Rivoire '41, MS '48
2005 — Deborah Gerard Adelman '71, MS '74 1985 — Lucinda A. Noble '54
2004 — Lea Paxton Nixon '53 1984 — Ruth Deacon MS '48, PhD '54
2003 — Carol Winter Mund '52 1983 — Barbara Hai Freed '51