Staunton attorney receives humanitarian award
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STAUNTON — Former Waynesboro prosecutor Charles Ajemian died in 2014, but his memory and commitment to the community live on in the form of the "Charles P. 'Chuck' Ajemian Humanitarian Award."
The award, which was pretty much on hiatus while the pandemic raged, was presented Tuesday afternoon by the Augusta Bar Association during its annual meeting at Ciders from Mars on South Lewis Street in Staunton.
Ajemian had been Waynesboro's commonwealth's attorney since 1997 when he died nine years ago while still in office following a battle with scleroderma. Prior to becoming Waynesboro's top prosecutor, he was in private practice for 30 years, according to the Augusta Bar Association. He was a co-founder and the long-time coach of the Waynesboro Basketball Club at the Waynesboro Family YMCA, and also coached little league baseball for years.
The bar said the soft-spoken Ajemian set the example with his "thoughtful, ethical and collegial advocacy."
On Tuesday, Staunton attorney Angela Whitesell, of Vellines, Glick & Whitesell, P.C., was presented with the annual humanitarian award. Whitesell, a Staunton native, is a 1982 graduate of the former Robert E. Lee High School, and did her undergraduate work at the University of Notre Dame before heading to the University of Virginia School of Law.
A former school board member in Staunton, Whitesell has served on a number of boards and committees, including with the Valley Alliance for Education, the Commissioner of Accounts for the City of Staunton, the Staunton Board of Equalization, the Children's Art Network, the Valley Child's Advocacy Center, the Shenandoah Valley Governor's School and others.
Whitesell, who was on hand to receive the award, which included an engraved cup, said her service to the community began in earnest in the early 1990s. The attorney said she was both "honored and humbled" by the award.
"It's something I've enjoyed doing," said Whitesell when asked about her community efforts.
Whitesell said she typically chooses causes she cares about, such as education and the prevention of child abuse. "It's easy to get involved when it's something you care about," she said.
Ajemian's wife, Anne, and one of his five sons, Erik, were in attendance Tuesday for the award presentation.
The award plaque hangs outside of the Waynesboro Circuit Court. Past winners include attorneys Thomas Bell Jr., Ronald Denney, Benham Black and Frank Summers.
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Ledbetter said the soft-spoken Ajemian always looked out for the needs of the victim, as well as not trampling on the rights of defendants.
"He was definitely a big-picture thinker," he said.
Ajemian also was a superb athlete. In October, Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., where he played football and baseball, inducted him into its athletic hall of fame.
"He was very athletic and quick on his feet," Ledbetter said.
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Click "Universal" in the eNewspaperDetective Robert Luzader of the Waynesboro Police Department said he and Ajemian didn't always see eye to eye. "We disagreed on things, but that's healthy," he said. "He was a man of honesty and integrity, and he had a moral conviction."
Luzader said Ajemian, who coached little league baseball for 20 years and was the founder of the Waynesboro Basketball Club, according to the Saint Vincent website, was very active in the Waynesboro community. Luzader said Ajemian's close connections to Waynesboro caused him to think his cases through to the very end, and what ramifications they might have.
"It's easier to make those (decisions) when you have ties to the community," Luzader said.
Nicole Briggs, clerk of Waynesboro Circuit Court, worked with Ajemian since 1999. "I've never known the office without him," she said.
Briggs said one of Ajemian's traits was that anyone – from co-workers, city employees, police and even those he prosecuted – could approach him.
"He never made anyone feel as though he didn't have time for them," she said. "He was a great man to work with."
Circuit Judge Humes J. Franklin Jr. graduated with Ajemian from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1964, and described Ajemian as "a close friend."
The judge said Ajemian was "a listener and a keen observer" and noted, "he could parcel out a situation so quickly. That was just a really strong suit of his."
Labeling Ajemian a "tremendous lawyer; a tremendous person," Franklin also lauded his commitment to civic affairs and the church as well.
"The city has just lost a valuable asset," he said.
NOMINATION FOR THE CHARLES P. “CHUCK AJEMIAN HUMANITARIAN AWARD
The Augusta Bar Association has established the Charles P. “Chuck” Ajemian Humanitarian Award to recognize members of the association who demonstrate commendable service to our community.
The award is named in honor of Charles Paul “Chuck” Ajemian who served was an attorney in private practice in Waynesboro for thirty years before serving seventeen years as the Commonwealth Attorney for the City of Waynesboro. Mr. Ajemian passed away in 2014. Mr. Ajemian set an example among the local bar of thoughtful, ethical and collegial advocacy. He and his wife, Anne Marie, raised five sons. In addition, he worked tirelessly in the community as co-founder and long-time coach of the Waynesboro Basketball Club at the Waynesboro YMCA. He also coached Little League baseball for many years.
The lawyer selected to receive the Ajemian Award shall be an outstanding member of the Augusta Bar Association who possesses the following attributes:
Professionalism;
Excellent character; and
Commitment to community service.
The award will be presented at a bar meeting in the first half of each calendar year. The recipient will be selected from the membership of the bar association by a committee of experienced members of the bar to be appointed by the president of the association. The honoree shall receive appropriate recognition by announcement of the award, their name included on the award plaque hanging in the Waynesboro Circuit Court and an engraved cup.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Staunton attorney receives humanitarian award
