By: Craig Mills, ’81C
The Samuel Lanham Award for Extraordinary Service to the UWPIAA recognizes an individual who has devoted time and effort to the growth and support of the Up with People International Alumni Association (UWPIAA) to the benefit of alumni throughout the world.
Alex Flohr – ’91C
For more than three decades, one alumnus has ensured that the music of Up with People—the soundtrack of thousands of cast experiences—continues to bring joy, connection, and nostalgia to alumni around the world. That alumnus is Alex Flohr, Cast C ’91, founder and leader of the Up with People Survival Band.
The story begins in 1994, when Alex returned home from the road and had an idea: gather a few alumni to play Up with People songs at the German alumni meeting. What started as a small four‑person group quickly grew into something much larger—a musical tradition that has now spanned 32 years, more than 50 performances, and countless alumni gatherings across Europe.
Under Alex’s leadership, the Survival Band has evolved into a 10‑member international ensemble with musicians from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and beyond. Their performances are legendary: two hours of high‑energy Up with People classics that bring alumni to their feet, singing, dancing, and reliving the spirit of their cast years. The band has performed at nearly every German alumni annual meeting since 1994, at European Alumni Meetings in Antwerp, Ennis, Engelberg, Amsterdam, and Bochum, and at the 50th anniversary celebration of Up with People in Brussels. In recent years, they have become a beloved fixture at Annual Alumni Week.
Alex’s contribution goes far beyond musical direction. He is the band’s organizer, arranger, conductor, and anchor. For decades, he has coordinated logistics with local teams, communicated with organizers, and ensured the band is ready for every performance. In the pre‑digital era, he cut tapes and burned CDs to mail across Europe so band members could rehearse. Today, he continues to invest his own time and personal resources—all while working as an intercontinental airline pilot.
Each spring, Alex and his wife Ute open their home in Ratingen, Germany, for the band’s annual rehearsal weekend. These gatherings have become a cherished tradition, filled with music, laughter, shared meals, and the kind of camaraderie that defines the alumni experience. Over the years, these weekends have created lasting friendships, strengthened international connections, and built a sense of community that extends far beyond the stage.
The impact of the Survival Band is profound. Their performances reconnect alumni with the music that shaped their lives. They revive memories, spark joy, and create moments of belonging. As one nominator wrote, “Alex has preserved and conveyed the spirit of Up with People in a contemporary form for decades.”
Through his exceptional consistency, artistic passion, and tireless dedication, Alex Flohr has kept a vital part of Up with People’s cultural heritage alive. His work has strengthened the alumni community, fostered international exchange, and brought immeasurable joy to thousands.
The Up with People International Alumni Association proudly honors Alex Flohr with the 2026 Samuel Lanham Award for Extraordinary Service to the UWPIAA.
Jeff Peterson – ’69B
For more than 20 years, Jeff Peterson has carried out one of the most meaningful — and emotionally demanding — volunteer roles in the Up with People alumni community. His work is not loud or visible. It does not take place on a stage or in front of a crowd. Instead, it happens quietly, behind the scenes, with deep care and unwavering commitment.
Jeff, a member of the ’67/’68 Sing-Out!, ’69B, and ’70A casts, began his journey in the 1990s when he started hearing about the passing of castmates he had known on the road. Wanting to remember them—and believing others would want to remember too—he began keeping track of their names. What started as a personal effort soon grew into something much larger.
In 2004, Jeff created the first online memorial page on his personal website, compiling names, cast years, and dates of death. His work built upon the efforts of another alum who had transcribed early records, but Jeff expanded, corrected, and organized the information with remarkable precision. His memorial page quickly became a vital resource for alumni seeking to honor those who had passed.
Recognizing the significance of his work, the UWPIAA adopted Jeff’s memorial list around 2006, integrating it into the official alumni website. From that point on, Jeff became the steward of the UWPIAA Memorial—a role he has fulfilled with extraordinary dedication.
In 2017, Jeff helped develop a new interactive Memorial Database, allowing cast and crew reps and alumni to submit information directly. He personally reviews every submission, reaches out with condolences, verifies details, and gathers photos and obituary information whenever possible. His meticulous record‑keeping ensures that each alumnus is remembered accurately and respectfully.
Jeff’s work extends beyond the database. He was instrumental in establishing the Memorial Rooms at reunions—quiet spaces for reflection, remembrance, and connection. In preparation for Up with People’s 50th Anniversary in 2015, he curated a powerful memorial exhibit and collaborated on the first In Memoriam video, which debuted as part of “The Journey” walk‑through experience. That first video was just over six minutes long. Today, the annual In Memoriam video has grown to nearly 42 minutes and includes almost 1,000 alumni.
Jeff continues to collaborate monthly on updates, ensuring that every name, photo, and detail is handled with care. His work has helped make the Celebration of Life a meaningful and expected part of Annual Alumni Week.
Those who know Jeff describe him as humble, gentle, and deeply committed. He avoids the spotlight, preferring to honor others rather than be honored himself. Yet his contribution to the UWPIAA is immense. He has given thousands of hours to ensure that no alumnus is forgotten—a gift of memory, dignity, and love to the entire community.
The Up with People International Alumni Association proudly recognizes Jeff Peterson as a 2026 Samuel Lanham Award for Extraordinary Service to the UWPIAA recipient.