2009 Alumni Awards

Making an impact

During Homecoming 2009’s Black & Gold Banquet, Harding University will honor a select group of individuals who are making an impact in their communities and around the world. The alumni selected were chosen for their degree of excellence and recognition in their fields; lives consistent with University ideals; active support of the University; and service to their community, church and God.

Distinguished Alumni

After graduating from Harding, Vice Admiral Mike Bucchi ('69) was commissioned into the Navy where he served as an instructor at Top Gun.
He has completed various Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf cruises aboard the USS John F. Kennedy, USS America and USS Theodore Roosevelt with more than 1,000 carrier-arrested landings. Bucchi received his third star en route to his assignment as Commander, U.S. Third Fleet and director of the Navy's sea-based battle lab. His last active duty tour as commander of the fleet was in 2003.

His long list of awards and commendations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, and Bronze Star with Combat Valor.
Bucchi now works with Concurrent Technologies Corp. as a principal technical investigator.

After the death of his first wife, he married Marilyn Rogers ('81) Jan. 1, 2006, who taught kindergarten, first grade and reading recovery for 16 years. In 2002, she began a DivorceCare program at the Southeastern Church of Christ in Indianapolis. The program rapidly grew, aiding single moms and their children as they dealt with divorce.

In 2008, she joined the San Diego Council of the Navy League, serving as vice president of scholarships and starting the Alexander Kreiglowa Scholarship Program.

The couple lives in Bloomington, Ind., and has five children and three grandchildren. They worship and serve at North Central Church of Christ.   

Outstanding Young Alumni

Upon seeing the need for closer health care in rural Alaska, Bob ('93) and Laura Degnan ('92) Lawrence started Alaska Family Doctor. The small medical company provides cutting-edge medical communication technology, helping to reduce the distance between patients and their physicians.

Beginning as a minister in Anchorage, Bob earned his M.D. from University of Washington School of Medicine and went on to work for Norton Sound Health Corp. The company provided medical services to Nome, Alaska, and 15 surrounding villages. He served as family physician, diabetes consultant, cardiac risk consultant and student clerkship coordinator.

In 2008, Alaska Family Doctor began; Bob is owner, cofounder and medical director, and Laura is president and chief executive officer. Before developing their business, both Lawrences taught - Bob as an adjunct professor of anatomy for University of Alaska Biomedical program, and Laura as an English and history teacher.

The couple has four children and worship at Nome Church of Christ.

College of Arts and Humanities

For Diane Trombly ('78) Brown, teaching has always been a natural fit. Her love for art and children mixed together to create a rewarding profession. As a result of her two loves, Brown was awarded Elementary Art Educator of the Year by the Michigan Art Education Association for 2008-09.

For the past 11 years, she has taught art in the Bay City School District and rotates between three area schools. Brown believes that integrating instruction is an important learning tool and works with teachers to incorporate their curriculum into her classes.

In addition to teaching, Brown is a commissioned watercolorist who specializes in architectural renderings of historical homes. She has also lent her abilities to the theater, designing and implementing stage makeup for "The Hobbit," "Snow White," and "Joseph and the Amazing, Technicolor Dreamcoat."
She and her husband, Loran ('81), have two daughters and attend Wheeler Road Church of Christ in Midland, Mich.

College of Bible and Religion

Many great men and women have left a legacy that will forever be tied to the University - Jimmy Allen ('52) is one of them. Allen has traveled the globe preaching God's word and converting the lost in 42 states and seven countries. He has authored 13 books and spoken at numerous college lectureships.
Before coming to school at Harding, Allen served 18 months in the Army and 22 months in the Army Reserve. In 1949, Allen became a Christian and began preaching soon thereafter. He hasn't stopped since.

Allen retired as professor of Bible from the University after 50 years of dedicated service in spring 2009. During his teaching career, he was given the Outstanding Educator Award and Distinguished Teacher Award.

He has been married to Marilyn McCluggage ('50) for 58 years, and they have three children and seven grandchildren. They are members of College Church of Christ in Searcy.

College of Business Administration 

Having worked 24 years in the commercial real estate industry, Blair Bryan ('84) has established himself as a leader in his field. Specializing in tenant representation, Bryan's experience has allowed him to successfully negotiate and serve clients in the competitive real estate market.

Currently working at Jones Lang LaSalle in Charlotte, N.C., as managing director, he has also worked for The Staubach Co., Arthur Young & Co. and EquiFirst. He has negotiated transactions for notable companies, such as Pepsi Bottling Group and Duke Energy. Bryan also provides customers with strategic planning, leasing, dispositions, financial advisory services, purchasing and built-to-suit proposals.

Outside of work, he participates in numerous community activities including the Charlotte Arts and Science Council, Sportsman's Club of Charlotte, and Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife, Karen Slater ('84), have two children and attend Providence Road Church of Christ.

College of Communication

Upon graduating from the University, Joe Aaron ('83) moved to New York City seeking a job in television. His list of employers includes Children's Television Workshop, HBO, Cinemax and Comedy Central.

However, Aaron is best known for his work as co-creator of the character "Doug," which follows the imaginative title character through his middle school dilemmas.

Aaron wrote, produced, directed and starred in his first feature film, "Crazy Jones," which won several awards, including best feature at the Cinequest International Film Festival. He can also be seen in the documentary "Dreams on Spec," focusing on screenwriters in Los Angeles as well as HBO's Emmy award-winning "Autism: The Musical" featuring his daughter Lexi.

He is currently attending the American Film Institute in L.A. and will graduate with his M.F.A. in 2011. He is also working on his next film project, "Big, Fat, Dumb and Ugly," which he hopes to film in Searcy.

Hilltop Community Church of Christ is his home congregation.

College of Education

When David Fincher ('72) began teaching at Greater Atlanta Christian School, he was not  expecting to stay long. What began as a short stay has continued to this day. During his time at GAC, he has served as teacher, debate coach, principal, academic dean, vice president and president.

Now Fincher is president of Georgia Independent School Association after holding the title of president for both the National Christian School Association and the Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools.

Actively serving on several boards focusing on community improvement and Christian humanitarian efforts in Atlanta, he is also working with a group of American and African leaders to develop a Christian school in Kigali, Rwanda.

He and his wife, Beth Saxton ('72), have two children and are members of Campus Church of Christ, where he is an elder.

College of Nursing

A graduate of the College's second nursing class, Arlene Hughes ('78) Morris received support and encouragement from her professors. As a  result, she is doing the same for the next generation of nurses, teaching in the School of Nursing at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., for the past 17 years.

During her time at AUM, she has received multiple honors, including distinguished teaching awards from the Alabama State Nurses Association and Auburn University, and receiving the School of Nursing Faculty Excellence Award in 2007.

She has published and presented nationally and internationally regarding issues related to caring for older adults, nursing education and nursing professionalism. Prior to teaching, Morris worked in medical surgical nursing, home health care and student health care.

She and her husband, Kelly ('74), live in Montgomery, Ala., have two children, and attend GracePointe Church of Christ.

College of Sciences

Since his college days as president of the senior class and Alpha Chi national honor society as well as the University's first AIC scholar-athlete in baseball, Joe Hightower ('59) has earned a few more titles, including professor in chemical engineering at Rice University and philanthropist.

While at Rice, he received the American Chemistry Society National Award for his research in petroleum chemistry. He chaired the chemistry department for three years and was acting director of University sponsored research and faculty secretary. In 2002, he was named Emeritus Professor.

Hightower may be best known for cofounding and leading the Hospitality Apartments, a nonprofit foundation providing free housing for families with loved ones receiving various treatments at Texas Medical Center in Houston. He has served as president of the project for 41 years. Each year he bakes almost a ton of sourdough bread for guest families.

As a result of his work, he has received the Jefferson Prize in Houston, Leadership in Volunteerism recognition, and, in 2007, Mayor Lee Brown proclaimed Feb. 18 as "Joe W. Hightower Day in Houston."  

He is a member of Bering Drive Church of Christ in Houston.