Beloved former Head of School Lyle D. Rigg was the recipient of the 2023 Tower Award. As the twenty-first head of The Pennington School, Rigg and his administration brought an era of full enrollment and a strong emphasis on faculty development. Rigg’s legacy is deeply ingrained in the history of The Pennington School, creating a lasting impact that continues to inspire School faculty, staff, and students. 

2022-23:  Bruce J. White ’69 P’94 ’97 
2020–21: Dr. William S. Hawkey
2019–20: Michael D. Winkler P’87 ’89
2018–19: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Wesley Sr. GP’93 ’94 ’94 ’95 ’98 ’99 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’03 GGP’ 26 ’26 ’27 ’27
2016–17: Honorable John Kulthau
2015–16: William Mastrosimone ’66
2014–15: Rev. Dr. Robert J. Williams P’94 ’95, and Stephen Tan ’73
2013–14: Kenneth Kai Tai Yen ’84
2012–13: John Biddiscombe ’63, and Georgia Manukas ’85
2011–12: Julio Gomez, Jr. ’77, Jane Sortor Keene ’77, and Stanley Renshon ’62
2010–11: The Meckler Family: Alan Meckler ’63 and his parents, Lillian Meckler P’63 and the late Herman Meckler P’63
2009–10: Colonel (Ret.) Albert M. Navas ’48
2008–09: Edmund V. Cervone, D.Ed. P’90 ’92
2007–08: John L. McGuire, Ph.D. P’98
2006–07: Richard H. Sharrett ’46
2005–06: George D. Parnos P’78
2004–05: A. Louis Denton ’76, and Peter J. Tucci ’79 P’16 ’16
2003–04: Herbert K. Sloane, 1932; Robert H. Beckett ’52; and Steven M. Silberman ’68
2002–03: Thomas K. Haje ’47
2001–02: Robert M. Wigod ’50
1992–93: Elliot J. Smith ’50
1991–92: Wesley D. Camp, ’32; and Robert B. McCurry ’42
1990–91: Rudolph E. Boschwitz ’47, and Margaret R. Kersey P’60
1989–90: Charles R.Walton, ’32; and Mary E. Assmann
1987–88: Rosalind Rothstein P’89
1985–86: Trafton Tredick, 1933; Marie Hutnik GP’22; and William E. Long
1984–85: Catherine Bakay, Herbert L. Krause, Rosella M. Krause, Donald B. Robertson, and Lesley D. Robertson
1979–80: Mrs. W. Carl Baldwin P’84
1977–78: George E. Farrar. Jr.,1923; and William L. Apetz
1976–77: G. Nelson Moore, 1924; Eldridge Downes III, ’33; and Edgar B. Roesch
1975–76: John F. Kelly, ’36; and R. Bruce Poynter ’44
1974–75: J. Horace Githens, 1910; Theodore H. Essex, 1925; Nelson M. Hoffman, Jr.; and Coach Harold Poore
1973–74: George L. Romine, 1932; John G. Coonan, 1934; and Lionel R. Driscoll 1940
1971–72: Virgil S. Johnson, 1908; Merlin H. Becher, 1931; and Bishop Fred P. Corson
1970–71: F. Maxwell Shuster, 1921; Joseph M. Pierson, 1928; Franklin T. Buck, 1929; and Howard A. Cressman
1969–70: Paul W. Newcomb, 1916; Charles R. Smyth, 1929; David Barbour, Jr.; and George Shuman, Jr.

The Tower Award is The Pennington School’s highest honor. The Order of the Tower recognizes alumni, teachers, or friends for outstanding service to The Pennington School or to the wider community. 

Nominations for the Order of the Tower are taken from the School community and presented to the Alumni Association Board. After careful review, the Alumni Association Board makes the recommendation for this award to the School’s Board of Trustees. The Tower Award is presented each year during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend.

Please contact the Office of Advancement by email at alumni@pennington.org or by phone at 609-737-6144 with any questions.