Alumni Awards

2022

Distinguished Alumnus

Dr. David Fincher (’72)

Distinguished Young Alumna

Esperanza Massana Crane (’02)

Botham Jean Inspiration Award

Molly (’70) and Annabelle (’04) Dawidow

Outstanding Alumni

College of Allied Health: Dr. Michael (’77) and Marci Johnson Murphy (’77)

College of Arts & Humanities: Major Ryan Oldroyd Scott (’98)

College of Bible & Ministry: Art Smith (’73)

College of Business Administration: Paul Maynard (’87)

College of Education: Lewis L. Moore (’69)

College of Nursing: DeeAnn Martin (’75)

College of Sciences: Kristy Rollman Shelton (’80)

Learn more about the 2022 recipients.

2021

Distinguished Alumni

John (’74) and Beth Padenr (’75) Reese

Distinguished Young Alumni

Ryan Walters (’10)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Allied Health: Rebecca Oldroyd Weaver (’73)

College of Arts & Humanities: Rick Trujillo (’91)

College of Bible & Ministry: Dr. John D. Barton (’89)

College of Business Administration: Robert Chambers (’89)

College of Education: Mary Lou Dunn (M.Ed. ’77)

College of Nursing: Cathy Lott McLain (’77)

College of Sciences: Thomas Baird (’53)

Learn more about the 2021 recipients.

2020

Distinguished Alumni

Dr. Mike (’68) and Nancy Lavender (’75) O’Neal

Distinguished Young Alumni

Dr. Will (’04) and Alisa Wright (’04) Copeland

Outstanding Alumni

College of Allied Health: Shelley Privett Chesney (’89)

College of Arts & Humanities: Shelly Parks (’01)

College of Bible & Ministry: Dr. Leslie J. Williams (’88)

College of Business Administration: Paul Woolard (’87) 

College of Education: Dr. Charles E. Dupre (’84)

College of Nursing: Audrianna Ward Copeland (’12) 

College of Sciences: Dr. Fortune S. Mhlanga (’84)

Learn more about the 2020 recipients.

2019

Distinguished Alumni

Jim Citty (’61) and Maralyn Bailey Citty (’62)

Distinguished Young Alumni

Steve ('02) and Lindsay Snow ('02) Cloer

Outstanding Alumni

College of Allied Health: Dr. Dan Tullos (’73)

College of Arts & Humanities: Tim Cox (’94)

College of Bible & Ministry: Dr. Leonard Allen (’73)

College of Business Administration: Byron Carlock (’84)

College of Education: Dr. Jan Chessir Morgan (’69)

College of Nursing: Kim Hardy Leverett (’98)

College of Sciences: Dr. Eddie Shields (’85)

Learn more about the 2019 recipients.

2018

Distinguished Alumnus

Elijah Anthony (’68)

Distinguished Young Alumni

Jay ('04) and Erin Kemp ('03) Brogdon

Outstanding Alumni

College of Allied Health: Dr. David Adams (’93)

College of Arts & Humanities: Dr. Randy Gill (’76)

College of Bible & Ministry: Doyle Kee (’58)

College of Business Administration: Lindy Lunceford (’84) Ingram

College of Education: Michael (’99) & Abigail Drayton (’00) Stone

College of Nursing: Rhonda Finnie (’02)

College of Sciences: Dr. Fred Massey (’59)

Learn more about the 2018 recipients.

2017

Distinguished Alumni

Dr. Billy Jo Thrasher (’61) and Barbara Godsey Thrasher (’63)

Distinguished Young Alumna

Terri Lee ('04)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Allied Health: Jeryn Kuehn (’89) Laengrich

College of Arts and Humanities: Mark Moore (’91)

College of Bible and Ministry: Dr. Elaine Huffard (’78) Denman

College of Business Administration: David Waldron (’76)

College of Education: Angie Whitlock (’89) Raney

College of Nursing Lynn Bradley (’77) McCarty

College of Sciences: Dr. Tim Duke (’72)

Learn more about the 2017 recipients.

2016

Distinguished Alumnus

Dr. Milton Sewell (’64)

Distinguished Young Alumni

Matt ('02) and Rachael Harless ('02) Milligan

Outstanding Alumni

College of Allied: Health David Savage (’73)

College of Arts and Humanities: Dian Pritchett (’81) Eddleman

College of Bible and Ministry: Stan Granberg (’78)

College of Business Administration: Nancee Wilson (’93) Roberson-Caldwell

College of Education: Dr. Ed Higginbotham (’60)

College of Nursing: Sheila Cox (’82) Sullivan

College of Sciences: Nathan Ingram (’84)

Learn more about the 2016 recipients.

2015

Distinguished Alumni

Doyle Kee (’62) and Barbara Ethridge Kee (’58)

Distinguished Young Alumni

Brian ('00) and Becca Lewis ('00) and Bush

Outstanding Alumni

College of Allied Health: Jennifer Giesmann (’05)

College of Arts and Humanities: Gwen Crownover (’82) Moritz

College of Bible and Religion: Don Meredith (’63)

College of Business Administration: Charlie Elkins (’82)

College of Education: Dr. Bobby Coker (’56)

College of Nursing: Connie Farrar (’88) Horton

College of Sciences: Dr. Dan Davidson (’76)

2014

Distinguished Alumni

John Simmons (’74) and Beverly Shankle Simmons (’74)

Distinguished Young Alumni

Williw ('95) and Korie Howard ('95) Robertson

Outstanding Alumni

College of Allied Health: Dr. Cheryl Rainey (’86) Billante

College of Arts and Humanities: Dr. Dennis Organ (’66)

College of Bible and Religion: Dr. Jerry Jones (’60)

College of Business Administration: Mark Stevens (’85)

College of Education: Cecil Boothe (’70)

College of Nursing: Jerry Myhan (’72)

College of Sciences: Jon Wood (’87)

2013

Distinguished Alumni

Rodney (’71) and Suzanne Holland (’71) Waller

Distinguished Young Alumni

Tim ('02) and Holly McCulley ('03) Bewley

Outstanding Alumni

College of Allied Health: Dr. Richard Walker (’54) (posthumously) and Nancy Van Winkle (’54) Walker

College of Arts and Humanities: Dr. Joneal Shackelford (’74) Kirby

College of Bible and Religion: Randy Harris (’79)

College of Business Administration: John Freeman (’69)

College of Education: Rick Jones (’77)

College of Nursing: LaDonna Hutchison (’89) Johnston

College of Sciences: Richie Ray (’95)

2012

Distinguished Alumni

Keith Stotts (’55) and Joan Oliver Stotts (’55)

Distinguished Young Alumni

Phillip ('96) and Laura Rice ('94) Shero

Outstanding Alumni

College of Allied Health: Sarah Kate Epperson (’07)

College of Arts and Humanities: Leon Sanderson (’54)

College of Bible and Religion: Dwight Albright (’70)

College of Business Administration: Lynn Wright (’83)

College of Education: Bill Barden (’64)

College of Nursing: Kyle Vath (’05)

College of Sciences: Esther Pipkin (’90)

2011

Distinguished Alumnus

Dr. Howard Wright (‘68)

Distinguished Young Alumna

Liza Freeman ('02) Wright

Outstanding Alumni

College of Allied Health: Dr. Scott Mills (’84)

College of Arts and Humanities: Dr. Tiffany Yecke (’01) Brooks

College of Bible and Religion: Arlin Hendrix (’70)

College of Business Administration: Bruce Binkley (’80)

College of Education: Dr. Betty Work (’64) Watson

College of Nursing: Jennifer Latham (’98) Huntley

College of Sciences: Dick Carter (’61)

2010

Distinguished Alumni

Jerry Mitchell (’82) and Karen O’Donaghy Mitchell (’83)

Distinguished Young Alumni

Luke ('96) and Caroline Clements ('96) Smith

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Humanities: Amy Blankenship Sewell (’88)

College of Bible and Religion: Dr. David Bland (’75)

College of Business Administration: Brett Biggs (’90)

College of Communication: Yavonda Fletcher Chase (’99)

College of Education: Janice Oneida (’88)

College of Nursing: Grace Johnson Farrar (’48)

College of Sciences: Dr. Swaid Swaid (’73)

2009

Distinguished Alumni

Mike Bucchi (’69) and Marilyn Rogers Bucchi (’81)

Distinguished Young Alumni

Bob ('93) and Laura Degnan ('92) Lawrence

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Humanities: Diane Trombly (’78)

College of Bible and Religion: Jimmy Allen (’52)

College of Business Administration: Blair Bryan (‘84)

College of Communication: Joe Aaron (’83)

College of Education: David Fincher (’72)

College of Nursing: Arlene Hughes Morris (’78)

College of Sciences: Joe Hightower (’59)

2008

Distinguished Alumni

Cliff Clark (’67) and Tish Larkins Clark (’71)

Distinguished Young Alumni

Craig ('90) and Caryllee Parker ('92) Cheatham

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Humanities: Ginger Blackstone (’91)

College of Bible and Religion: Landon Saunders (’68)

College of Business Administration: Steve Clary (‘74)

College of Education: Mike Lucas (’71)

College of Nursing: Susan Kehl (’84)

College of Sciences: Tim Hacker (’74)

2007

Distinguished Alumnus

Dr. A.R. Brown (’41)

Distinguished Young Alumni

Marty ('90) and Louise ('90) Koonce

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Humanities: Bobbie Coleman (71)

College of Bible and Religion: Bernard Waites (’59)

College of Business Administration: Mark Wallis (’72)

College of Education: Dwight Thompson (’62)

College of Nursing: Christy Golden Mars (’90)

College of Sciences: Bill Chism (’72)

2006

Distinguished Alumni

Tom Henderson (’69) and Linda Henderson (’69)

Distinguished Young Alumnus

Robert Chambers ('89)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Humanities: Jack Ryan (’59)

College of Bible and Religion: Virgil Jackson (’95)

College of Business Administration: Brian TreusDell (’84)

College of Education: Howard Morris (’76)

College of Nursing: Mark Priddy (’85)

College of Sciences: Jim Carr (’70)

2005

Distinguished Alumni

Dean Priest (’61) and Carolyn Pogue Priest (’58)

Distinguished Young Alumni

Jody and Louise Venkatesan

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Humanities: Mark Woodward (’69)

College of Bible and Religion: Frank Mills (honorary)

College of Business Administration: Jeffrey Hearn (’82)

College of Education: Lauren Lawyer Jennings (’72)

College of Nursing: Sonya Curtis (’93)

College of Sciences: Joe Clements (’70)

2004

Distinguished Alumni

Jerry Hill (B.A. ’61) and Fern Pasley Hill (’58)

Distinguished Young Alumni

Alex and Kari Keesling Aziamov

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Humanities: Khalil Jahshan (’72)

College of Bible and Religion: Don McLaughlin (’83)

College of Business Administration: Brant Bryan (’77)

College of Education: Lois Lawson (’59)

College of Nursing: Ruth Elizabeth Cole (’93)

College of Sciences: Lundy Neely (’71)

2003

Distinguished Alumni

Neale Pryor (B.A. ’56) and Treva Pryor (B.A. ’66)

Distinguished Young Alumnus

Tony Tabora (posthumous)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Humanities: Leon Johnson (’82)

College of Bible and Religion: Dr. Herman Alexander (’57)

College of Business Administration: Jimmy Cone (’77)

College of Education: Dr. Maryann Cooper Felps (’72)

College of Nursing: Dr. Marty Farrar Highfield (’75)

College of Sciences: Dr. Bob Walker (’77)

2002

Distinguished Alumna

Helen Mattox Young (’39)

Distinguished Young Alumni

Mark ('90) and Marty ('92) Moore

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Humanities: Darren Irby (’93)

College of Bible and Religion: Fielden Allison (’70)

College of Business Administration: Dr. Randy Steger (’75)

College of Education: James Simmons (’76)

College of Sciences: Charles “Preacher” Roe

2001

Distinguished Alumni

Bill Cox (B.A. ’58) and Pat Overman Cox (’60)

Distinguished Young Alumnus

Matt Bell ('87)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Humanities: Dr. Michael Westerfield (’74)

College of Bible and Religion: Bill Pratt (’74)

College of Business: Administration Rodney Waller (’71)

College of Education: Susanne Walker (’63)

College of Nursing: Georgia Hobby (’38)

College of Sciences: Jim Citty (’61)

2000

Distinguished Alumni

David Smith (B.S. ’67) and Linda Byrd Smith (B.A. ’67)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Humanities: Winfred Wright (’57)

College of Bible and Religion: Steve Awtrey (’82)

College of Sciences: Kenneth Perrin (’55)

School of Business: Norman Bennett (’73)

School of Education: Bill Diles (’58)

School of Nursing: Elaine Boswell King (’79)

1999

Distinguished Alumni

Monroe Hawley (B.A. ’45) and Julia Tranum Hawley (B.A. ’45)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Humanities: Jerry Wayne Mitchell Jr. (’82)

College of Bible and Religion: Bruce D. McLarty (’78)

College of Sciences: Bill Williams (’50)

School of Business: Robert Ulrey (’82)

School of Education: Marilyn Sanderson (’66)

School of Nursing: Nancy Faxon Kaplin (’80)

1998

Distinguished Alumni

David B. Burks (B.A. ’65) and Leah Gentry Burks (B.A. ’65)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Jeff Davies (’71) and Stephen Smith (’72)

College of Bible and Religion: Keith Stotts (’55)

School of Business: Robert Neal (’71) (posthumous)

School of Education: Robert Abney (’52)

School of Nursing: Kathy Davenport (’77)

1997

Distinguished Alumni

Joseph L. Cannon (B.A. ’47) and Rosa Belle Cannon (’50)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Bill Barden (’64) and Dr. Bob Gilliam (’54)

College of Bible and Religion: Dr. Evertt Huffard (’73)

School of Business: Bill T. McCauley (’72)

School of Education: Dr. Wyatt Jones (’51)

1996

Distinguished Alumnae

Mildred L. Bell (B.S. ’49) and Winnie E. Bell (B.A. ’49)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Dr. Joan Coleman (’34) and Dr. Harry D. Olree (’53)

College of Bible and Religion: Charles B. Hodge (’53)

School of Business: Jim Bob Humphrey (’78)

School of Education: Cecil H Boothe (’70)

1995

Distinguished Alumnus

Danny N. Smelser (B.S. ’73)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Rex V. Taylor (’78) and Evan Ulrey (’46)

College of Bible and Religion: Barbara “Barby” Kline Smith (’60) and C. Dwight Smith (’59)

School of Business: Kenneth Johnson (’66)

School of Education: Ronald Butterfield (’61)

School of Nursing: Linda Darnell Calvert (’83)

1994

Distinguished Alumnus

James Kern Sears (B.S. ’42)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Larry Bills (’58) and Greg Hurst (’81)

College of Bible and Religion: Paul Pollard (’71)

School of Business: Phil Herrington (’74)

School of Education: Lois Cooper Freeman (’69)

School of Nursing: Julia Henderson Gist (’83)

1993

Distinguished Alumnus

Kenneth Davis Jr. (’42)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Alvin (’37) and Georgia Pruett (’38) Hobby and Dr. David E. Smith (’67)

College of Bible and Religion: Dr. Carl Brecheen (’56)

School of Business: David W. House (’74)

School of Education: Gerald W. Casey (’65)

School of Nursing: Marcia Austin Moore (’85)

1992

Distinguished Alumna

Pat Bell (B.A. ’58)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Claudette DuBois Jones (’60) and Virgil Lawyer (’46)

College of Bible and Religion: G. Gary Walker (’70)

School of Education: Margie Clark Wood (’62)

School of Nursing: Dr. Vicky Clark Bowden (’79)

1991

Distinguished Alumnus

J. Michael White (B.S. ’60)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Dr. Mildred L. Bell (’49) and Dr. George DeHoff (’37)

College of Bible and Religion: Evertt Huffard (’46)

School of Business: Gary Chamblee (’74)

School of Education: Dr. Alfred Morris (’50)

1990

Distinguished Alumnus

Robert H. Jones (B.S. ’61)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Gerald Ebker (’60) and Dr. John F. Wilson (’59)

College of Bible and Religion: H. Glenn Boyd (’52)

School of Business: James B. House (’66)

School of Education: Dr. Benny Gooden (’66)

School of Nursing: Connie Bowers Edelman (’79)

1989

Distinguished Alumnus

George D. Tipps (B.A. ’45)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Theodore R. Lloyd (’57) and Michael J. O’Keefe (’77)

College of Bible and Religion: Charles R. Coil (’52)

School of Business: Dr. Don J. Helms (’59)

School of Education: Eunice Hogan (’51)

1988

Distinguished Alumnus

Robert L. Hare (B.A. ’50)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Dr. Phillip F. Elliott (’70) and Dr. Robert H. Jones (’61)

College of Bible and Religion: Mike Cope (’78)

School of Business: Bill J. Dismuke (’58)

School of Education: Katie Darling Wesche (’63)

School of Nursing: Kathy Hood (’78)

1987

Distinguished Alumna

Marilyn McCluggage Allen (B.A. ’50)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Bernie L. Cox (’66) and David Ryan Smith (’74)

College of Bible and Religion: Joe Betts (’52)

School of Business: Dr. David Burks (’65)

School of Education: Dr. W. Mitchell Murphy (’71)

1986

Distinguished Alumnus

Jack W. McNutt (B.S. ’56)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Dr. Ray D. Dearin (’63) and Dr. Richard T. Hughes (’65)

College of Bible and Religion: Dr. Gary Elliott (’62)

School of Business: James H. Cone, Sr. (’48)

School of Education: Dr. Janette Staton Rogers (’69)

School of Nursing: Sara Starling Bolton (’77)

1985

Distinguished Alumnus

Jack Wood Sears (B.S. ’40)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Dr. John M. “Mike” White (’60) and Dr. Art Williams (’64)

College of Bible and Religion: Dr. F. Furman Kearley (’56)

School of Business: C. Mac Angel (’57)

School of Education: Dr. Calvin Leonard Johnson (’35)

1984

Distinguished Alumnus

Eddie Shewmaker (B.A. ’44)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Dr. Joel Anderson (’64) and Dwayne Van Rheenen (’66)

College of Bible and Religion: Joe Cannon (’47)

School of Business: Lott R. Tucker, Jr. (’51)

School of Education: Lester Balcom (’52)

1983

Distinguished Alumnus

W. Clark Stevens (B.S. ’49)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Rees Bryant (’52) and Dr. Gene Rainey (’58)

College of Bible and Religion: Dr. Rubel Shelly (’68)

School of Business: Harry Risinger (’68)

School of Education: Robert G. Neil (’32)

1982

Distinguished Alumnus

James H. Cone (’48)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Dr. Paul Gardner (’65) andDr. James Kern Sears (’42)

College of Bible and Religion: Gailyn Van Rheenen (’68)

School of Business: Pat Bell (’58)

School of Education: Dr. Thomas Whitfield (’41)

1981

Distinguished Alumnus

Landon B. Saunders (B.A. ’68)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Dr. Jimmie Lawson (’64) and Dr. Clark Stevens (’49)

College of Bible and Religion: Robert L. Hare (’50)

School of Business: Jack W. McNutt (’56)

School of Education: Milton Peebles (’34)

1980

Distinguished Alumnus

Jimmy Allen (B.A. ’52)

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Sciences: Dr. Calvin Downs (’58) and Myrtle Rowe (’32)

College of Bible and Religion: Owen Olbricht (’54)

School of Business: Dr. Axel Swang (’46)

School of Education: J.C. Shewmaker (’30)

1979

Distinguished Alumnus

Gottfried J. Reichel (B.A. ’53)

1978

Distinguished Alumna

Louise Nicholas Ganus (B.A. ’42)

1977

Distinguished Alumnus

Emmett F. Smith Jr. (B.A. ’46)

1976

Distinguished Alumnus

J.D. Bales (B.A. ’37)

1975

Distinguished Alumnus

Henry C. Farrar (’48)

1974

Distinguished Alumnus

Joseph E. Pryor (B.S. ’37)

1973

Distinguished Alumnus

Richard E. Burt (B.S. ’56)

1972

Distinguished Alumnus

Clifton L. Ganus Jr. (B.A. ’43)

1971

Distinguished Alumni

Louis E. Green Jr. (B.S. ’42) and E. LaMar Baker (B.A. ’40)

1970

Distinguished Alumnus

Dale R. Larsen (B.A. ’45)

1969

Distinguished Alumnus

Jule L. Miller (B.A. ’49)

1968

Distinguished Alumna

Annie May Alston Lewis (B.A. ’39)

1967

Distinguished Alumnus

Fount William Mattox (’33)

1966

Distinguished Alumnus

Lloyd Cline Sears (Cordell)

1965

Distinguished Alumnus

James Alvin Hobby (B.A. ’37)

1964

Distinguished Alumnus

Jim Bill McInteer (B.A. ’42)

1963

Distinguished Alumnus

George Stuart Benson (B.A. ’25)

1962

Distinguished Alumnus

John Dow Merritt (Cordell)

1961

Distinguished Alumnus

Robert T. Clark (B.S. ’39)

1960

Distinguished Alumnus

Lloyd O. Sanderson (B.A. ’28)