Jim Auxer sits in his new office space, on the second floor of the Butcher Center at Shepherd University, on Nov. 14. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Arthur “Jim” Auxer III was presented with the Jack and Martha Young Community Service Award at Shepherdstown Area Independent Living’s (SAIL) annual meeting in the Trinity Episcopal Church fellowship hall on Friday afternoon.

According to SAIL program coordinator Carolee Youngblood, Auxer was selected for the award, due to his “significant contributions to the community” in the past, as mayor of Shepherdstown, and in the present, as Shepherd University’s liaison to the town.

“Each year, SAIL honors an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the quality of life in the Shepherdstown community. This includes of course, not only the town, but the surrounding area that comprises the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia,” Youngblood said.

Those honored with the award have, in particular, been selected due to their contributions to the quality of life of SAIL’s membership — senior citizens desiring to remain active in the community and to age in place for as long as possible, with the help of the nonprofit organization’s programming and support network. During his time as mayor, Auxer championed work being done to solve accessibility issues in Shepherdstown, which was of great benefit to senior citizens and to those dealing with disabilities alike.

“Jim Auxer was selected from several nominees recommended to the board, because of the superb job that he has done, over the past 20 years as mayor of Shepherdstown,” Youngblood said. “He has managed to continue excellent leadership of overall issues relevant to our community and retain his individual interests and highlights that capture the qualities we all treasure here in Shepherdstown. He has championed many projects that benefit seniors living in Shepherdstown.”

Kent Shaffer, right, presents the Jack and Martha Young Community Service Award to Jim Auxer at Shepherdstown Area Independent Living’s annual meeting on Friday afternoon. Courtesy photo

Although Auxer lost the 2024 municipal election, he has not retired from being a public servant. He currently works in an unpaid position as Shepherd University’s liaison to the town which, he noted, is something he had unofficially been doing since he was first elected mayor in 2000. After this year’s election results came in, Shepherd University President Mary Hendrix placed him in his current position and gave him an office on the second floor of the Butcher Center.

“I’m working to maintain the town-gown relationship and taking care of some things on campus,” Auxer said, mentioning Rams football fans will likely have already seen some of the work he has accomplished. “My first project was in Ram Stadium, to have the Coach Monte Cater Field wall built and the area around it landscaped and the lettering for the scoreboard completed. They had been working on that project for years and it needed to get done.”

Along with his work as town liaison, Auxer is an active member the Shepherd University Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Shepherd University Gridiron Club. He also serves on the Jefferson County Criminal Justice Board.

For Auxer, receiving recognition for his community service was appreciated, though the retired Department of Corrections mental health counselor said it was far from the reason he began investing so much of his life in the local community.

“We wonder why we were put here on this earth,” Auxer said. “Well, sometimes I think we were put here to help each other — at least, I’d like to think that.”