Distinguished Friend Award

Sara Ballengee Otto

Inducted into the Honorary Alumni Hall of Fame is Sara B. Otto, recipient of the Distinguished Friend Award, which honors individuals who have given unusual and unselfish service to the University through their time, talents, and resources.
During a time when the vast majority of women were never afforded the opportunity to purse higher education, Otto was one of six daughters who all received a college degree. She attended Concord University and West Virginia University, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in education. Beginning in 1935, she taught physical education in Princeton. Then in 1937, she taught two more years at Woodrow Wilson High School.

She later attended Beckley College briefly to renew her teaching certificate. After her marriage to J.E. Otto in 1939, she and her husband became well-known members of the Beckley business community for many years. The Ottos, along with her father, S.C. Ballengee, owned and operated Ballengee Furniture Company on what was then Valley Drive, now Robert C. Byrd Drive. After Mr. Otto’s death in the late 60s, she operated the successful Beckley business until she retired in 1988.

A member of United Methodist Temple since 1927, she has served on several committees and is now a trustee of the church. She has been active in community organizations, having served on the Salvation Army Board for 10 years and on the Zoning Commission for the City of Beckley. She is currently a member of the Beckley Women’s Club.

Otto has diligently served on the MSU Board of Trustees for more than a decade and has been a faithful donor to the University for many years. Her generous gifts have provided scholarships for many deserving MSU students.