Photos courtesy of Barry Southwood

The Distinguished Alumni Award

Criteria for selection includes but is not limited to post-high school education, professional accomplishments, involvement in community activities and leadership. Nominees who are not selected can be re-nominated in subsequent years. If you would like to nominate someone for the award, please send the name and resume of that person’s accomplishments prior to June 1st. The nominee selected will be recognized and asked to speak at the All-Class Reunion.

2023 Recipient: Ralph Manting (‘59)

The recipient of the 2023 BRHS Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award is Ralph Manting. Born and raised in Big Rapids, Ralph graduated from BRHS in 1959 and served in the United States Air Force from 1960 through 1964 where he was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. After returning home, Ralph enrolled at Ferris State University and received a B.S. in Business Administration in 1968. Ralph began working at Hanchett Manufacturing during this same year, a company that has remained an integral part of the Big Rapids community, employing hundreds of workers throughout the 1970's and 1980's. Following in the footsteps of his great grandfather, founder Volney H. Hanchett, Ralph became part owner of Hanchett Manufacturing in 1991 alongside Brian Sauntman, Ken Shefferly, and Don Selfridge. He continues to own the company today with his daughter and son-in-law and is proud to have kept the business operating in Big Rapids, MI.

Ralph is a leader in the saw filing industry and has served as Secretary for both the Midwest Saw Filers Association and the Lakes States Saw Filers Association. During his many years in Big Rapids, he has also been a member of the Jaycees and Chamber of Commerce, and has supported the community through various endeavors with the Knights of Columbus and St. Mary's Catholic Church. He is an avid supporter of Big Rapids High School Cardinal sports and a sports car enthusiast. Ralph and his wife Judy are proud to have children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who have grown up in and remain connected to the Big Rapids area.

Past Recipients (graduation year)

2022: Emily Cramer Hancock (1971)
2021: Ken Musselman (1965)
2019: Rick Steinke (1974)
2018: Susan Wismer Bissell (1965)
2017: Mark Brejcha (1977)
2016: Neil R Tetzlaff Lt Col USAF Ret (1960)
2015: Major Kay Andrews (1956) & Bob Horan (1953)
2014: Teri L Losey (1973)
2013: Lynn DeMoss (1952)
2012: Ronald Nichols and Keith Corrigall (1952)
2011: Edward Burch (1954)
2010: Gus and Alice Jane Anderson (1940) and Tom Avey (1965)
2009: Morris Andrews (1954)
2008: Art Adleman (1950)
2007: David Michaels
2006: Deno Sellas (1949) and Nick Sellas (1950)
2005: Michael E. “Mickey” Koch (1960)
2004: Norm Turner (1951)
2003: Lawrence Root (1966)
2002: Judd D. Arnold (1949)
2001: James Rogers (1965)
2000: Agnes Jensen Mangerich (1931)
1999: Ray W. Cross (1965)
1998: Leslie Morford and James Stuck (1949)
1997: William O’Neil (1953)
1996: James Sofoulis and Maxine Arnold Sofoulis (1943)
1995: Albert Poland (1959)
1994: Pearce Lane (1949)