Freeman Volunteer of the Year Award

This award is named for Robert Mallory Freeman, a former VIMS Council member and supporter who passed away in 2004. Bob was chairman of Signet Bank in Richmond until 1996. He was active with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Virginia Environmental Endowment, among many other community leadership activities. At VIMS, Bob was interested in oyster restoration, advancing research with cutting-edge scientific equipment, and helping to leverage resources through his many generous donations.

This year’s Freeman Award goes to Helmut Walter.

Helmut has been a dedicated Outreach Volunteer since beginning at VIMS in 2015. During this time, he has devoted more than 350 hours of service, assisting with almost every campus tour, After Hours lecture, festival exhibit, and Advancement event. Helmut is devoted to the goal of educating people about VIMS’ mission and the important research we conduct. His passion for the Chesapeake Bay and our work is clearly evident, and he conveys that passion to every member of the public he interacts with during our events.

Helmut is the ideal volunteer and an invaluable member of the Advancement team. He is dependable and always willing to help with whatever is needed, often filling in for last-minute requests. Helmut is welcoming and courteous to everyone he encounters and ensures that our campus visitors and event participants have a wonderful experience. He always goes the extra mile to make sure tasks are done well and programs are successful. Helmut’s positive and easy-going personality is contagious and it is a true pleasure to work with him.

Helmut’s significant and constant contributions to VIMS’ mission of educating and engaging the public make him a very deserving recipient of the Robert M. Freeman Volunteer of the Year Award.