C. Howard Wallace, ’45, has dedicated his life to theological education. It is for this distinguished career that the Park University Alumni Association has chosen to honor him.
        Upon graduation from Park University in 1945, Wallace entered the McCormick Theological Seminary, earning a bachelors of divinity in 1948. He completed his doctorate of theology in 1961 at the University of Basel, Switzerland.
        After a short term as interim pastor of Lake Station Community Presbyterian Church in Lake Station, Indiana, Wallace became the Presbyterian University Pastor of Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1959, he moved to the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary where he served as professor of Biblical theology, and sometime dean of the faculty, until his retirement in 1996. Wallace continues to serve as professor emeritus.
        Influenced by his own recovery from alcoholism, Wallace has focused on alcohol education and recovery. He completed the Rutgers Summer School for Alcohol Studies in 1973 and used his expertise to co-found the Presbyterian Alcohol Network, now the Presbyterian Network for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse. He served as a member of the Alcohol Use and Abuse Task Force appointed by the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Their concluding report was adopted in 1986 as the official stance of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. His work was recognized in 1998 with the Hancock Award at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
        Wallace is responsible for the creation of many programs that advanced theological studies and inter-denominational relations. He co-founded and lectures in the Distinguished Bagel Lectureship Series at the University of Dubuque. The event has become a fun tradition to celebrate the end of the first term of biblical Hebrew study. In 1970, he helped to create a study program for students, faculty and friends, jointly sponsored by The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary and Wartburg Theological Seminary that tours different areas of the Near East every year. He also found a way to combine a favorite hobby with his career by co-founding the Izaak Walton Fly-fishing and Theology Society.
        Don Martin, ’45, nominated Wallace for this Distinguished Alumnus Award and described him as “gifted and dynamic... Altruistic plus!”  Students at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary recognized these same characteristics and accomplishments. In 1988, they presented him with the Charis Award, which is given to faculty members who exemplify care for students.
        Wallace  lives in Dubuque with his wife, Nancy. He has four sons and two daughters. Though he professes to be retired, it is hard to distinguish from his list of current activities when that decision will actually become effective.