NEW PHILADELPHIA The Quaker Foundation's annual recognition banquet will be held Friday at the Performing Arts Center at Kent State University at Tuscarawas in New Philadelphia.

The alumni to be honored include Richard D. Geib II, Class of 1970; Kevin C. Moore, Class of 2001; Jerry N. Bichsel, Class of 1953; and Robert Metzger, Class of 1999. Also to be honored are New Philadelphia City Schools teachers Kip Brady and Cheryl Graham. Scholarship awards will be presented to 85 members of the Class of 2018.

Tickets to the event may be purchased by contacting the Quaker Foundation at 330-343-0100. Tickets will also be available for $25 at the door, starting at 6 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6:30 and the awards program will follow at 7:30.

The Alumnus of the Year for Lifetime Contribution Award goes to Geib, a fourth generation owner (retired) of one of the oldest family owned and operated businesses in the country, the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory in New Philadelphia, which has been open since 1846.

Geib has been a member of New Philadelphia Rotary for 43 years and was one of the youngest club presidents in Ohio. He served 16 years as president of RTY Inc., which operates the amusement rides, amphitheater, youth center and concessions at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia. He was a board member, faculty presenter, program developer and interim executive director for Leadership Tuscarawas. He was also a 25-year board member and twice board president for Community Hospice.

He currently serves as a business counselor for the Small Business Development Center at Kent State University at Tuscarawas and the National SCORE Chapter at Kent State University Stark.

The Alumnus of the Year for Special Achievement Award goes to Moore, son of Dr. Charles and Stephanie Moore and the brother of Whitney Moore. He graduated from the University of Akron with honors in 2006 as the first student to complete the dual master's and bachelor's in applied mathematics program.

In 2010, he became an assistant professor in mathematics education at the University of Georgia. Now an associate professor, he has published articles in more than 50 publications and has given more than 100 national and international talks. He has obtained two National Science Foundation research grants.

Alumnus of the Year for Distinguished Service Award goes to Bichsel, who was born and raised in New Philadelphia. After attending the Ohio State University, he returned home to manage the Goshen Dairy Co. with his father and brother. He became plant manager of Goshen Dairy and went on to become the company president.

He was one of the founding members of the Quaker Foundation. Now retired, he helps with the local homeless shelter and Mobile Meals. He enjoys singing with the Forever Young Choir.

Alumnus of the Year - Previous Scholarship Recipient Award goes to Metzger. He graduated from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University in 2003. His first job after college was as sport director at WOAY-TV in Oak Hill, W.Va. Since February 2007, he has been working as a sports anchor/reporter for NBC affiliate WTOV9 in Steubenville. His wife, Kim, is an elementary teacher in the Chartiers Valley, Pa., School System.

SUBMITTED BY THE QUAKER FOUNDATION