The William Smith College Heron Society will present the inaugural Trailblazer Award in conjunction with the Heron Hall of Honor celebration on Saturday, April 27. The first group of recipients of the Trailblazer Award will be the 30 people who comprised the Heron Society Steering Committee, which guided the Heron Society from an idea into a reality.
 
The evening's celebration in the Vandervort Room of the Scandling Campus Center will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the induction ceremony at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and will go on sale in February.
 
The Heron Society Steering Committee, a predecessor to today's Board of Directors, consisted of five standing committees tasked with expanding the visibility of William Smith Athletics, recruiting, and membership. The Heron Society was formed on Feb. 6, 1983, to increase the visibility of William Smith College through the support and promotion of athletics. Since then, gifts to the Heron Society have supported generations of student-athletes in their championship quests.
 
The steering committee included coaches, administrators, alumnae and students.
 
Established by the William Smith College Heron Society Board of Directors, the Trailblazer Award celebrates an individual, team or group that has led the way or been a first in something that has had a meaningful and lasting impact on William Smith Athletics.
 
From its founding in 1983 to today, the Heron Society has grown from a small, dedicated group of people committed to supporting and promoting the benefits of William Smith Athletics to today's nearly 2,000-member strong organization that backs William Smith's mission of using life-long lessons through sport to develop the ethical leaders of tomorrow.
 
Heron Society Steering Committee
Susan Bassett, swimming coach
Candy Kappel Bolte '81
Carroll Brewster, president of HWS
Laura Craig Chapman '82
Jean Conway, basketball coach
Sue Dangl Cooley '81
Francine D'Amico '80
Peg McGrath Dixon '78
Rebecca MacMillan Fox, dean of William Smith
Pat Genovese, coordinator of intercollegiate athletics
Christie Hayes '71
Mary Hosking, chairperson, department of physical education
Christine Ingebritsen '84
Chari Herendeen Krenis '60, alumna trustee
Asta Farrand '76, director of alumnae relations
Sarah Flaherty Krouch '81
Rebecca Lockwood '79
Angela Mellini '80
Melissa Mulliken '80
Donna Murtha '84
Mara O'Laughlin '66, director of admissions
Lili Redway '84
Anne Richardson Rowley '82
Bonnie Tourison Sweeney '80
Sarah Frackelton Van Der Hyde '82
Jean Collins Van Etten '74, assistant director of communications
Nancy van Eenwyk Russell '61
Monica Wagner '78
Sally Webster '74, associate director of admissions
Aliceann Wilber, soccer coach