The Rev. Dr. Gene W. ’64 & Vivien L. (Griesemer) ’64 Aulenbach
Jacob Albright Award
Presented to a graduate of Albright who has used his or her liberal arts education to its greatest potential, thereby making outstanding contributions to the Albright College community, his or her profession and in service to society. This is the highest honor bestowed upon a graduate.
Gene and Vivien Aulenbach met while students at Albright and were married in July 1964. They have remained loyal and enthusiastic alumni, volunteering a good amount of their time in support of alumni events, reunions, and other alumni association programs. Most significantly, as members of the class of 1964’s 50th reunion in 2014, they led the charge to help their class raise over $1 million in reunion funds. They are also members of the class’s planning committee for an upcoming 55th reunion celebration in September of this year, and have named Albright in their will — making them members of the 1856 Society. Additionally, Vivien is a member of the 13th Street Gang and a Phi Delta Sigma Alumnae Sorority sister; and Gene served as a member of the task force on Faith, Values and Spiritual Development (Commission on the Future of Albright College) in 2000.
Gene is pastor emeritus and retired senior pastor of Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Boyertown, Pa. After his retirement in 2000, Gene spent several years as the associate for conference campaigns in the development office at the Lancaster Theological Seminary, where he assisted with capital campaigns by calling on pastors and congregations and making presentations to church consistories and councils. He has also served his community as a member of the long-range planning team on the Ensuring the Future Plan campaign at St. Paul’s U.C.C. in Reading, Pa., as chairman of the Make-a-Difference financial campaign of the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the U.C.C., and as a director at both Phoebe Berks in Wernersville, Pa., and the Boyertown Area Community Foundation.
Vivien is a retired librarian, having worked several years at Thomas Ford Elementary School. In 2002, she was the recipient of the Pennsylvania Association (Berks County Chapter) of School Retirees Volunteer of the Year Award, and in 2004, she wrote “The Importance of Reading” for Parents’ Source (a family resource guide in Berks/Lancaster counties).
After graduating from Albright in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, Gene went on to receive a bachelor’s of divinity at Lancaster Theological Seminary (1967), a master’s of theology at Princeton Theological Seminary (1970), and a Doctor of Ministry degree at Lancaster Theological Seminary (1975). Graduating from Albright the same year as Gene, Vivien earned a bachelor’s degree in history and went on to receive a master’s in library science at Drexel University (1970 & 1994).
Gene and Vivien have been actively engaged in the community, serving on several committees and boards over the years. They are currently associate members of the Venice (Fla.) United Church of Christ, where Vivien has chaired the church’s CROP Hunger Walk for the last several years, raising between $10,000-$13,000 per year for Church World Service and Venice organizations that address hunger and homelessness. In the past, Vivien has been involved with the American Association of University Women, Reading Public Museum, Berks History Center, Western Berks Ambulance Association and the Rainbow Girls of Reading; and Gene has served the Children’s Home of Reading, West Reading-Wyomissing Rotary, the Torch Club of Reading, and the Pension Board of the United Church of Christ, just to name a few.
Gene and Vivien reside in both Wyomissing, Pa. and Venice, Fla. They have two adult sons and six grandchildren.