Pynchon Awards

Nominations Sought For Region’s First Community Service Award

The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts is seeking nominations from throughout Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties for the Pynchon Award, which recognizes those citizens of our region who have rendered outstanding service to the community.

The Order of William Pynchon was established by the Advertising Club in 1915 to recognize and encourage individuals whose lives and achievements typified the ideals of promoting citizenship and the building of a better community in western Massachusetts. Past recipients include community volunteers, social activists, teachers, journalists, public servants, business leaders, philanthropists, historians, physicians, and war heroes — a diverse group united by their passion for our region. Pynchon nominees are people you know/live/work with, who are passionate about their community or cause, and give selflessly of their time, talent, or treasure (sometimes all three). Pynchon recipients are recognized for giving a little more and doing a little more, making them role models for community involvement. Though nominees may serve in a leadership role, they are just as likely to work anonymously or behind the scenes. The Pynchon award is not a recognition of “lifetime achievement” — age and length of service are unimportant — rather, it is depth of dedication and influence on the community that matters. A nominees’ impact need not be region-wide, just meaningful, and impactful within the community, (and the trustees’ definition of “community” is broad, including neighborhoods, municipalities, and region). There are many people doing great things in our community … “unsung heroes,” if you will. This is your chance to sing their praises. 

To nominate an individual, please submit a letter explaining why the nominee should be considered. Please include biographical information, outstanding accomplishments, examples of service to the community, organizations he or she is or has been active in, and the names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of at least three people who can further attest to the nominee’s eligibility for induction into the Order of William Pynchon. The Pynchon Trustees respectfully reserve the right to eliminate nominations from consideration due to insufficient information. 

Qualifying nominees will be considered and researched by the Pynchon Trustees, composed of the current and five past presidents of the Advertising Club. Nominations must be submitted by March 31, 2022 to: William Pynchon Trustees, Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, P.O. Box 1022, West Springfield, MA 01090-1022 or by e-mail to [email protected]. 

Pynchon medalists are chosen by unanimous decision of the Pynchon Trustees. 2022 recipients will be announced in June of this year, with an awards ceremony tentatively scheduled for the fall of 2022. Recipients are presented with a bronze medal cast with the name and likeness of Springfield’s founder, William Pynchon, and bearing the inscription: “They honor us whom we honor.”

Previous Pynchon Award Events

Pynchon Recipients