Longtime Supporter Bob Buckingham Honored As Ferris State's Pete Peterson "Bulldog Pride" Award Recipient

Note: This is the second of four major FSU Athletics Awards that will be presented between now and July 21 for the 2014-15 campaign.  The remaining awards will be announced on Monday & Tuesday.

Big Rapids, Mich. - A longtime supporter, donor and fan has been honored by Ferris State University Athletics as Dr. Robert (Bob) Buckingham was chosen as the 2014-15 recipient of the "Pete Peterson Bulldog Pride Award" for his numerous contributions.

Buckingham, who recently was named the Dean of the College of Optometry at Alderson Broaddus University in West Virginia, served as the president of the men's basketball Rebounders Club at FSU and has played a valuable role as a key donor for a wide range of projects over the years. 

He joins his late father, Bill, who previously received the same distinction in 1984-85, as the first father-son recipients of the annual department award.

"Bob played a vital role in helping lead our Rebounders Club and has been one of our biggest fans for many years," said FSU Athletics Director Perk Weisenburger. "He follows a number of outstanding individuals who have claimed this award in the past, including his father. We're thrilled to name such a tremendous supporter, fan and friend of our program for this prestigious honor."

A supporter of many athletic programs during his time at Ferris State, Buckingham has been a regular at many FSU events. The Big Rapids native played an important financial role in the recent basketball locker room renovation project and this past year organized the selling of bench chairs, which helped raise funds for the program. He has also helped donate for championship rings and technological upgrades for film editing as a generous benefactor and donator to Ferris State Athletics.

Buckingham is the 27th recipient of the Pete Peterson Bulldog Pride Award, which is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated loyalty and unselfish support of Bulldog Athletics. 

The Pete Peterson Bulldog Pride Award is named in honor of former Ferris State Athletics Director and Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Commissioner Pete Peterson (1964-79). The award, which was founded in the 1981-82 season, was reinstated following the 2002-03 athletics season after a seven-year absence.  Coaches and athletics department staff nominate individuals to be considered which are selected from alumni, community members, university 
faculty or staff, and fans. A committee from the administration staff of intercollegiate athletics determined the award recipient.

Buckingham, who was nominated for the honor by men's basketball head coach Andy Bronkema, was one of several key contributors to Ferris State Athletics nominated this year by members of the FSU coaching and support staff. He joins a long list of dedicated Bulldog supporters as recipients of the annual award.

"Bob has been one of our biggest supporters and fans over the years and is very deserving of this recognition," said Bronkema. "The Buckingham family has long been associated with Ferris State Athletics and especially men's basketball and they represent the standards of this award so well. I'm thrilled he's been chosen to receive this honor as he leaves the university and it is outstanding to see him recognized for all he has done for our program."

A past recipient of the Ferris State University Distinguished Alumnus Award, Buckingham earned his Doctorate in Optometry from FSU's Michigan College of Optometry in 1981. He went on to serve in the United States Air Force for 20 years. After retiring from the Air Force, Buckingham then served as the Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs as well as the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at the Michigan College of Optometry on the FSU campus until being appointed as the founding dean of the College of Optometry at Alderson Broaddus this summer. 

Dr. Buckingham is a past president of the Armed Forces Optometric Society (AFOS) and was previously named both the AFOS Optometrist of the Year and the Association of Military Surgeons United States Optometrist of the Year. He has also received the Army's Order of Military Medical Merit (OM3) given to the top 10% of Army medics across the country. 

Buckingham received his PhD in Higher Education Leadership from Western Michigan University in 2012 and has lectured extensively on the topics of occupational vision, environmental vision and eye safety throughout the country and in Europe. He is also the author of numerous journal articles.

Bob and his wife, Kim, have been married for 34 years and have two children, JJ and Brittany, along with a grandson, Liam.

Pete Peterson Bulldog Pride Award Recipients:
2014-15 - Bob Buckingham (Community & Financial Supporter, Rebounders Club member, Fan)
2013-14 - Linda Burnes (Community & Financial Supporter, Longtime "SuperFan")
2012-13 - Kevin Courtney (Blueline Club President, Community Supporter)
2011-12 - Matt Pinter (PGM Program Coordinator)
2010-11 - Sandy Gholston (Journalist, Bulldog Athletics Blog writer)
2009-10 - Tom Kirinovic (Athletics Director, Associate AD, Assistant AD, Ice Arena Manager, Athletics Business Manager)
2008-09 - Bob Horan III (Local Businessman, Financial Supporter, Fan, Gridron Club, Rebounders Club & Blueline Club Member)
2007-08 - Stanley Gustafson (Statistician, Hockey Season Ticket Holder, Fan)
2006-07 – Mike Wissink (Team Chaplain, Team Building Coordinator)
2005-06 – Paul Quick (Ticket Manager, Business Operations)
2004-05 – Sueann Walz (Local Businesswoman, Financial Supporter, Fan, Blueline Club Member)
2003-04 – Paul Davis (Ticket Manager)
2002-03 – Dick Hawkins (Dean, Blueline Club Member)
1995-96 – Rich Currie (Local Businessman, Bulldog Club Member, Bulldog Football's "Number One Fan")
1994-95 – Lyn Hanson (Bus Driver, Fan)
1993-94 – Judd Folske (Baseball Head Coach, Assistant to Athletics Director)
1992-93 – Dean Davenport (Athletics Director, Administrator, Coach)
1991-92 – Rachel Snyder (Associate Professor, National Anthem Singer, Athletic Advisory Committee Member & Chair)
1990-91 – Bill Scheible (Alumni Director, Bulldog Club Member, Athletics Business Manager, Assistant to Athletics Director, Ewigleben Ice Arena Manager)
1989-90 – Tom Cook (CCHA Institutional Representative, Dean of Gerholdz Institute for Lifelong Learning, Administrative Consultant)
1988-89 – Carma Burcham (Assistant Registrar For Athletic Eligibility, Bulldog Club, Blue Line Club, Fastbreak Club)
1987-88 – John Allshouse (Athletics Associates Board Member and President, Fund raising event organizer)
1986-87 – Bob Leach (Alumni Affairs Director, Assistant Vice President For Alumni and Development, Head Football Coach, Development Officer)
1985-86 – Tom Walsh (Dean, Official Timekeeper, Athletic Associates Member)
1984-85 – Bill Buckingham (Public Address Announcer, Associate Vice President For Student Services)
1982-83 – Tim Pendell (Sports Information Director)
1981-82 – Dr. Frederick Birkham (Health Center Director)