Tim Wester named Trinity College Alumnus of the Year

Deerfield, Ill. - The Alumni Office of Trinity College has named Tim Wester ('77) the 2016 Alumnus of the Year.

Wester earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry and biology at Trinity, and later completed a medical degree at the University of Iowa. He and his wife Ann have served since 1986 as medical missionaries in Africa.

In 32 years, Wester has worked in at least five different mission hospitals in three countries. He was raised on the mission field in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and returned there after completing his education in the United States. Civil war forced a relocation to the Central African Republic in 1998.

Wester has traveled Africa extensively, serving as the initial AIDS Director for ReachGlobal, the international missions arm of the Evangelical Free Church of America.

In his current role, Wester works as a physician and surgeon at a 180-bed mission hospital in Gamboula, a city on the Central African Republic's western border with Cameroon.

According to the Christian Medical Fellowship, the Medical Center of Gamboula treats about 12,000 patients each year and has an active public health program in 24 surrounding villages. The hospital also offers a university degree nursing program.

"We congratulate Tim Wester on his years of faithful service," Trinity President David S. Dockery said. "He is a worthy recipient of this alumni recognition from Trinity College."

Wester will receive his award on Oct. 21, during Homecoming Week on the Trinity campus.