Honors and Awards

Community Champions are teachers, volunteers, or STEM industry professionals who invest their time, energy, resources, and professional expertise into implementing CEF’s programs in local communities nationwide, providing ongoing support to elevate the role of science in learning and life.

In 2023, our community champion award was renamed in honor of long-time volunteer Larry Sernyk (see photo at right), who epitomizes the ideal of a volunteer who goes above and beyond to support CEF.

According to CEF Chief Executive Officer Dwayne Sattler, “Dr. Sernyk’s exceptional leadership and dedication have left an indelible impact on our organization and the communities we serve. His passion for science and STEM education is truly inspiring, and his tireless efforts to engage students and educators have paved the way for a brighter future. We are grateful for his dedication and congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.”

Since connecting with CEF in 2010, Dr. Sernyk has traveled around the continental United States and Alaska to lead instructional workshops for teachers and to organize Regional Challenge events.

Dr. Sernyk also acts as a mentor to new instructors and organizers and is responsible for getting more than 50,000 Activity Guides into the hands of educators and volunteers in Indiana alone.

Larry Sernyk Community Champion Award Winners:

Dr. Georgina Little (pictured with Dr. Sernyk), Southeastern Louisiana University, 2024

Bryan Page (pictured with CEF CEO Dwayne Sattler and Dr. Sernyk), Brenntag, 2023

In addition to volunteer awards, CEF has an award for members of the Board of Trustees who demonstrate outstanding dedication and years of service. In 2019, this award was established and presented to retiring Board Trustee William (Bill) Fidler (see photo at right), and the award has been named in his honor ever since.

A member of CEF’s Board from 2011 – 2019, Bill spent 45 years at Brenntag, ending as the President and CEO of Brenntag North America. Bill is heavily involved in philanthropy as an Advisory Board Member of the Henderson Boys & Girls Club and as a Board Member of Healing Reins Therapeutic Riding, Inc.

Past Honorees of the William H. Fidler Award are below:

Bruce Schechinger (pictured with 2017 National Champion and 2017 Miss USA Kára McCullough), 2023