Pynchon Awards

2026 Pynchon Medalists Announced by Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts

Region’s oldest public-service award to be presented to four community leaders.

(SPRINGFIELD, MA) The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts’ Trustees of the Order of William Pynchon announced today their selection of four local residents as this year’s Pynchon medal recipients. Myke Connolly, chairperson of the Pynchon Trustees, stated, “Each of this year’s recipients reflects the spirit of the Pynchon Medal in a different way, but what connects them is a deep commitment to serving others and strengthening the communities around them. Their contributions remind us that meaningful civic leadership takes many forms, and we are honored to recognize the lasting impact they have made across Western Massachusetts.”

Slated to receive the Advertising Club’s Pynchon Medal at an official celebration this fall are the following recipients:

Gianna Allentuck, nominated by LaRena Clark.

Gianna Allentuck’s life and work reflect a deep gratitude for the people who have inspired, supported, and uplifted her along the way. She feels blessed by her family: her husband Lee, a devoted partner in what she affectionately calls their “wacky wonderful life”; her son Sontino, a dedicated member of the United States Coast Guard; her daughter Cecelia, a gifted writer, poet and creator; and Rudy, the family pup who always has time for snuggles.

Recently retired from her role as a school counselor, Allentuck carries the same deep appreciation for her Springfield Public Schools and Brookings School family – the children, families, educators in every role, and community partners she describes as loving, smart, dedicated, compassionate, strong, and funny. She is equally grateful for the friends, mentors, and city and community family who have shared their time, love, energy, encouragement, advocacy, strength, laughter, knowledge, and empowerment in service to others.

Allentuck credits those who live, lead, serve, and inspire with purpose and positivity with touching her own heart and life, as well as the lives of the people she loves. That gratitude now guides the next chapter of her journey: building Thank You for Inspiring, a global movement centered on appreciation for “good humans, good hearts, and good moments,” and building her company Sonelia with the purpose of appreciating, uniting, and strengthening people and organizations in their efforts to help and uplift others.

For Allentuck, the people around her are not simply part of her story; they are gifts in her life and in the community. Her work is an extension of the thanks she continues to offer them and of her belief in carrying those relationships forward into the next adventure together – what she calls living “in the goodness.”

   Ronald H. Berger, nominated by Charles Casartello.

Ronald H. Berger has spent a lifetime caring for others, first through a career in medicine and, in the years since, through a deep commitment to education, mentorship, and community service throughout Western Massachusetts.

A graduate of Cornell University and Tufts University School of Medicine, Dr. Berger completed his internal medicine residency at Baystate Medical Center. He later joined Chestnut Medical Associates in Springfield, serving patients there for more than three decades before retiring in 2018. He also served on the initial Board of Directors of Health New England.

Ron’s commitment to service extends well beyond medicine. He coached youth soccer and Little League baseball in Longmeadow and later advised Longmeadow High School’s AS Schools Match Wits team. Since 2019, he has volunteered as a mathematics tutor in Springfield Public Schools. After initially developing an enrichment program for advanced students, he returned following the pandemic to work with middle-school students performing below grade level, helping them rebuild skills and confidence. Since 2024, he has also volunteered as a tennis instructor with Moving On Up with Tennis and Education, a free summer program serving youth ages 6–18 at Forest Park.

For more than two decades, Dr. Berger has been involved with Griffin’s Friends, supporting children undergoing cancer treatment and their families. He completed 13 marathons to raise funds for the organization and continues to visit young patients at Baystate Children’s Hospital with fellow volunteers.

He is also a founding committee member and organizer of the Stuffing the Pantry Thanksgiving Day Road Race, which has collected thousands of pounds of food and raised approximately $600,000 for Open Pantry Community Services. Across each chapter of his life, Ron has consistently put his time, knowledge and energy to work for others.

David Cecchi, nominated by Laurie Cecchi.

David Cecchi’s lifelong passion for local heritage began on his grandparents’ farm in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Cecchi channels his creative talent into Cecco | the design office of David Cecchi, an award-winning graphic design and advertising practice based in Agawam, MA. Beyond his profession, he has dedicated decades to institutional leadership and historic preservation. Since 1992, he has served as chairman of the Agawam Historical Commission, where he has led key initiatives including the listing of Agawam Center and the School Street Barn in the National Register of Historic Places and the enactment of a Demolition Delay Ordinance. His longtime, hands-on involvement with, and recent leadership of the Agawam Historical Association as president, helped secure, fund, and preserve vital community landmarks, including the Agawam Historical & Fire House Museum and the ca. 1757 Thomas Smith House. Believing history is best shared, Cecchi has authored multiple Images of America titles—including three volumes showcasing Agawam and Feeding Hills, of which he has generously directed royalties back to local historical organizations.

Cecchi’s civic impact spans local government, education, and the arts. He served as the youngest-elected member and former vice chairman of the Agawam School Committee, co-chaired the town’s Sesquicentennial Committee, and spent decades contributing his time and talent to the Agawam High School Band Parents Association, the Agawam Cultural Council, and the Pynchon Trustees for the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, where he is a past four-term president and club historian. His broad record of volunteerism includes roles with the Agawam Sister City Commission, the Agawam Community Preservation Act Committee, the board of trustees of Agawam’s Captain Charles Leonard House, and other local organizations. In recognition of his sustained service, professional artistry, and generosity, Cecchi has received numerous accolades, including the Agawam Rotary Club Paul Harris Award, the Citizenship Award of the Agawam St. Patrick’s Committee, the Eastern States Exposition Friend of The Big E Award, and Preservation Massachusetts’ K. Julie McCarthy Community Spirit Award.

David Cecchi exemplifies passion and volunteerism. He is a quiet, unassuming gentleman who has gone above and beyond to share that passion within our community. He is a role model for his dedication to many causes. A quote posted in David’s office says: “A society grows great when people plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in,” a sentiment Cecchi took to heart when he rallied residents in opposition of tree removal and road widening and fought for the planting of hundreds of trees as part of a MassDOT project in the heart of Agawam’s Main Street historic district.

As someone who has known David since he was a young student in her CCD class, and who later served with him on the Agawam School Committee, Agawam Town Councilor and former State Representative Rosemary Sandlin had this to say: “He holds a deep respect for the history of the town of Agawam and works tirelessly to preserve and celebrate it. His dedication is not limited to words — it is demonstrated through action. As an elected official, he has served with integrity and humility. He volunteers readily for committees, offers his time generously, and shares his artistic talents to enrich community initiatives. His creativity and craftsmanship reflect both pride in his heritage and devotion to the town he loves.”

David lives in his hometown with his wife (and high school sweetheart) Laurie. Their home, which features the oldest in-ground swimming pool in Agawam, is a favorite gathering place for friends and family, including their two sons: Joseph and his partner Kelly; Bailey and his wife Layne; and their beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

David is also proud to possess Elijah A. Newell’s 1916 and Brigadier General Gilbert H. Stewart’s 1942 Pynchon Medals.

Phil Glynn, nominated by Jack Dill.

Phil Glynn has devoted more than four decades to caring for patients and families throughout Western Massachusetts, with a career spanning medical oncology, internal medicine, hospice and palliative care, education and community service.

A graduate of Boston College, Dr. Glynn completed pre-medical studies at Columbia University before earning his medical degree from the University of Rome. He completed his residency at St. Raphael Hospital in New Haven and a clinical fellowship in medical oncology through Tufts University School of Medicine and Baystate Medical Center. He is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hospice and palliative care.

Dr. Glynn served as medical director of the oncology program at Noble Hospital from 1993-2017 and Noble VNA & Hospice Services from 1995-2017. He later served as president of Pioneer Valley Oncology Hematology and, from 2012 to 2025, as director of medical oncology at Mercy Medical Center’s Sr. Caritas Cancer Center. In 2024, he became co-director of Mercy’s Andy Yee Palliative Care Unit.

Appointed an assistant clinical professor of medicine at Tufts University in 2002, Dr. Glynn has also contributed to medical education, research, and numerous oncology publications and presentations.

Beyond his clinical work, he has served on the boards of the American Cancer Society of Greater Springfield, Cancer House of Hope, the Chris Weeks Ovarian Cancer Foundation and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as hospital ethics, cancer and quality committees.

His service has been recognized with the Robert Angolli Award, Noble Spirit Award, American Cancer Society’s Omar T. Pace Award and a 2022 BusinessWest Healthcare Heroes Award. In 2025, the Andy Yee Palliative Care Unit team was also recognized by BusinessWest.

Throughout his career, Dr. Glynn has paired medical expertise with a sustained commitment to patients, families, and the Western Massachusetts community.

This year’s recipients were chosen from a pool of nominations received by the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts. All nominees are researched by the trustees, who then deliberate before selecting final recipients. Pynchon medalists are chosen by unanimous decision of the Pynchon Board of Trustees.

The Pynchon Trustees for 2026 are Myke Connolly, Janine Fondon, Ellen Freyman, Kelly McGiverin, and Robyn Miller.

The presentation of the Pynchon Medal and celebration will take place Fall 2026 with details coming soon.

For additional information on this year’s Pynchon recipients, please contact Robyn Miller at 413.271.7288 or via email at robyn@morningbird.media.

The Order of William Pynchon

The Order of William Pynchon was established in 1915 by the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts (then known as the Publicity Club) for the purpose of giving public recognition to those citizens in the region who have rendered distinguished civic service.

Nominees are brought forth each year by members of the community and medalists are chosen by unanimous decision of the Pynchon Trustees.

The Pynchon medal bears the name of Springfield’s founder, whose life and achievements typify the ideals of promoting citizenship and the building of a better community, qualities the award is intended to recognize and encourage. Recipients are presented with a bronze medal bearing Pynchon’s likeness and inscribed with the quotation: “They honor us whom we honor.” More than 200 citizens have been inducted into the Order of William Pynchon since its founding in 1915.

The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts

The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts is the premier organization for marketing and communications professionals in western Mass and northern Connecticut. The club offers members the ability to advance and enrich the advertising community by acting as a catalyst for idea exchange, professional development, and creative energy. The club offers its members a forum to learn, network, recognize achievement, and build a stronger advertising and marketing community. The club also supports future generations of creative professionals with an annual scholarship awarded to a Western Massachusetts high school graduate pursuing a degree in the communication arts.

Pynchon Recipients

1957F. Nelson Bridgham