The 2023 Greene County Chamber of Commerce’s Distinguished Service Award was awarded to Waynesburg University’s President Douglas G. Lee. 

According to the Greene County Chamber website, the award was created in 1988, and has been given out yearly ever since. The award is based on several aspects, which according to the website are “contribution to community welfare and betterment; participation in all-around community activities and civic enterprises; evidence of lasting contributions to community welfare; evidence of leadership ability; success in vocation; personal and business progress and cooperation with individuals and organizations.” 

This is not the first award that President Lee has won during his tenure as president, which began in 2013. In 2017, he was selected for the Pittsburgh Business Times Outstanding CEO’s and Top Executives. Prior to that, he was also named to the Pennsylvania Business Central’s Top 100 People list in 2013 according to the Greene County Chamber of Commerce website.  

When asked how he came about being nominated for the Distinguished Service Award, Lee seemed a tad surprised to have his name included

“I don’t know. There was a selection committee, evidently, and my name was brought up,” Lee said.  “The representative of the Chamber of Commerce came to my office and notified me that I would be receiving that award. I was really humbled, honored, and surprised,” Lee said.  

He went on to add, “It was one of those moments where you feel humbled to live in this community with great people who love and care about each other.”

Lee also spoke about some work that he has done to stay involved in the community.  

“I lived here years ago and was pretty active in the community. Coming back now, I’ve tried to stay active, and also tried making decisions to help the university but also help the community,” Lee said. 

Christine Schwartzmiller, who is the executive secretary for President Lee, knows that Lee is honored to receive the award. 

“I know President Lee was deeply grateful for this award,” said Schwartzmiller.

Schwartzmiller also referred to the Waynesburg University mission, which is to “educate students to make connections between faith, learning and serving so they might faithfully transform their communities and the world.” 

“I would say the one thing President Lee does is stay focused and engaged in the Waynesburg University mission which makes a positive impact right here in the community of Waynesburg,” Schwartzmiller said.

The University’s mission overlaps the criteria of the award. 

“President Lee winning this award is validation that the Waynesburg University mission can truly make a positive impact, not only in this community, but on a larger scale,” Schwartzmiller said.