Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award is a lifetime achievement honor for alumni or friends of the college who display exceptional stewardship to Coe through their service and/or financial contributions.

2025 recipients | Bill Schalk '65 &
Dougie Peters '81

Bill Schalk has dedicated his life to service — to his country, his community and his alma mater. Bill, a Chicago native, earned his bachelor’s degree from Coe College in 1965 and his
law degree from Marquette Law School in 1989.

At Coe, Bill earned varsity letters in football, track and cross country. He won the
Thelma Lamb Gold Track Shoe Award for outstanding achievement in track. He was also an
active member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and worked in the Coe library. One of Bill’s
highlights while at Coe was being a member of the work project team that went to Mississippi in
1962. He co-authored a book In 2016 titled “Even Our Friendship Was Illegal,” that described his experiences there. Bill returned to Coe in 2009 and served on the Alumni Council until 2018
and then served on the Board of Trustees before retiring in 2022.

After graduation, Bill joined the Navy in 1966, and earned his wings as a naval flight officer the
following year. During his career, he was awarded five Air Medals and the Vietnam Air Gallantry
Cross for flying more than 250 support combat missions against North Vietnam. In 1976, he
was selected and served as an exchange officer with the Royal Navy in Scotland. It was there he met and had a private lunch with Prince Charles aboard the British carrier HMS Ark Royal.
Returning home in 1978, he attended the Armed Forces Staff College and then went back to
sea duty and was later assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Department of the Navy in
Washington, D.C. There, he served as United States Navy representative to NATO for Maritime Tactical Communications meetings in Brussels. In total, Bill had more than 3,000 flight hours and 300 landings aboard aircraft carriers in the E-1B, Gannet and E-2B aircraft. Bill retired in 1986 with the rank of commander.

He then graduated from Marquette law school and served as a prosecutor for Racine County
from 1991 to 1997. His passion for public service continued through numerous leadership roles
including: president, Racine Unified School Board (1997-2006); president, Village of Wind
Point Board (2001–2009); president, Lincoln Lutheran of Racine, Inc; chair, Catherine Marian
Housing Board (Dominican-run ministry supporting domestic abuse survivors); president, Zion
Lutheran Church (church council); founding member, Siena on the Lake (Dominican-run
ministry that provides memory care, assisted living and nursing home rehabilitation services);
chair, VFW Post 1391 Americanism Committee.

His many honors include: Induction into the Taft High School Hall of Fame (2004); Community
Leader of the Year in Education award from Racine Manufacturers and Commerce
(2005); Distinguished Leader in Education from Phi Delta Kappa (2006); Citizen of the Year
from the Racine Unified PTA Council (2006); VFW Post 1391 Citizen of the Year (2003);
Racine County Volunteer of the Year in Education (2007) and Veterans’ Affairs (2009).

Bill’s service to Coe is as steadfast as his military and civic commitments. Since giving his first
$12 gift to the college in 1966 — accompanied by a letter to then Alumni Director Harris Lamb
offering his help “in any capacity” — Bill has given annually, participated in every fundraising
campaign, hosted alumni gatherings, served as an Alumni Admissions Representative, sat on
the Alumni Council and Board of Trustees and joined the Heritage Club by including Coe in his
estate plans. His 60 years of giving time, talent and treasure embody the spirit of a
Distinguished Service Alumni Award recipient.

Dougie Peters Resized.jpg Few names are as beloved at Coe College as Douglas “Dougie” Peters. Since arriving on campus as a first-year student in 1977, Dougie has been a fixture of Kohawk life, serving the community with unmatched dedication, energy and heart.

As a student, Dougie managed the football, basketball and track teams all four years before graduating with a business degree in 1981. Soon after, he became Coe’s athletics equipment manager — a role he would hold for an extraordinary 40 years. Known for his tireless work ethic, he famously went more than a decade without taking a day off, ensuring every athlete had what they needed, always delivered with a smile and his signature send-off: “Have a nice day!”

Dougie’s spirit was as much a part of the game-day experience as the competitions themselves. His trademark “Dougie Wave Off” — an enthusiastic jump-and-spin sendoff for traveling teams — became a cherished tradition. Beyond athletics, he inspired generosity across campus, leading giving efforts like the 2022 “Dougie Challenge” and personally donating tens of thousands of dollars back to the College over the years.

In recognition of his service, Coe honored Dougie with the Kesler Outstanding Service Award in 2002, inducted him into the Coe Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019 and dedicated a mural in Kohawk Arena featuring his iconic smile and catchphrase as well as the naming of the equipment room in his name. His impact extends beyond awards and titles — to generations of students, coaches and colleagues, Dougie is Coe.

Whether riding his three-wheel bicycle to campus, tackling arena stairs two at a time, or sharing his motto — “Start small, think big” — Dougie’s presence has embodied the very best of the Kohawk spirit. His 40-year career leaves a legacy of service, joy and community that will inspire Kohawks for decades to come.

Please note: while nominations are accepted year-round, only those submitted by January 31 will be considered for awarding at that year's Homecoming celebration.

Past recipients

Award eligibility

This award is given to alumni or friends of the college who display exceptional stewardship to Coe through their service and/or financial contributions.
Nominees must have graduated from Coe College a minimum of 25 years ago.
Award may be presented posthumously but living award recipients must be present to accept the award.
Current members of Coe's Board of Trustees, Board of Visitors/President's Advisory Council, or Alumni Council cannot receive this award while serving their term.

Judging criteria

The Coe Alumni Council evaluates nominees based on the following weighted criteria:

20 %–Distinction in their professional field
Recognition including, but not limited to, scholarship, awards, and leadership recognition by one's peers in, trade associations, business, education, sports, and medicine.

50%–Loyalty to Coe
Dedication to the college measured in volunteer service or financial stewardship including, but not limited to, admission assistance, student engagement, alumni events, Board of Trustees, Board of Visitors/President's Advisory Council, Alumni Council or Coe Fund.

30%–Community Engagement
Service to the nominee’s community, including, but not limited to, board, committee, task force, and volunteer service.

2025 recipients | Bill Schalk '65 & Dougie Peters '81

Past recipients

Award eligibility

Judging criteria

2025 recipients | Bill Schalk '65 &
Dougie Peters '81