Distinguished Alumni Award

In 2019, the Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Cynthia F. Nofziger '79.

Cindy is the founder and executive director of a thriving organization called Schools for Salone. Years of civil war decimated entire communities in Sierra Leone. After recognizing the tremendous need to help this country, Cindy started fundraising. Under her leadership, the simple grassroots charity grew to a successful nonprofit. By partnering with local community groups, it has established 25 schools and three libraries, provided education and mentoring opportunities for nearly 200 teachers, and built rainwater collection units, septic toilets and wash stations. Through her vision and dedication, Cindy’s foundation has enabled more than 7,000 children to receive an education, and has provided reproductive health education and menstruation kits to approximately 2,000 girls. Cindy accomplished all of this while working full time as a physical therapist in the Seattle, Washington, school district, where she resides with her husband, Bob, and son, Michael. As a result of her extensive public service, Cindy
was recognized by the State of Washington with the prestigious Jefferson Award.