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Distinguished Alumni Awards
2023 Alumni Distinguished Award Recipients
Since 1941, the Office of Alumni Engagement has presented awards to honor alumni of Elon University who serve as active partners, advocates and investors. The Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented each spring and are the highest accolades conferred by the Office of Alumni Engagement.
Meet the recipients
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Awarded to an alumnus who has distinguished himself in a profession and in the community and brought honor to Elon.
A business management graduate, Bell currently serves as the as regional president for Truist Financial Corporation in North Carolina’s Triangle region. He has served his community well in many capacities and is previously a member of the Elon Alumni Board, including one term as president, and a regional committee member for the Elon LEADS campaign.
Distinguished Alumna of the Year
Awarded to an alumna who has distinguished herself in a profession and in the community and brought honor to Elon.
An English major and Communications minor, Niven serves as chief executive officer of Biscuitville, Inc. In 2014, she led the rebranding of Biscuitville, which included the addition of FRESH SOUTHERN® to its name; remodeling, relocating or rebuilding 100% of its restaurants; and a re-energized commitment to sourcing locally. Always generous with her time for her alma mater, Niven has served on the Elon Alumni Board and the President’s Advisory Council.
Distinguished Service to Elon
Awarded to an organization, business, foundation or individual who has demonstrated outstanding service that promotes the advancement of Elon.
Rich ’87 P’17 and Laurie P’17 Johnson
A mass communications major, Rich Johnson spent his entire career in the banking industry and retired in 2022 as senior vice president and chief consumer lending officer at MainStreet Bank.
Laurie earned her bachelor’s degree from American University and her MBA at George Washington University, joining Accenture in 1989 and recently retired as managing director. Proud parents of Elon alumna Grace Johnson ‘17, the Johnsons have been among Elon’s most active and impactful volunteers, always answering the call to serve Elon.
Alumni Service Award
Presented to an alumnus or alumna who has given extraordinary service to his or her community.
A corporate communications major, Leadership Fellow and double Elon graduate (B.S. in communications in 2004 and MBA in 2010), Faustin serves as executive director of She Built This City, providing industry disruptive programming that sparks interest and builds pathways to lucrative careers in the skilled trades for youth, women and marginalized communities.
Equally committed to community service beyond the scope of her work, Faustin serves on the Neighborhood Revitalization Committee for Habitat for Humanity Charlotte.
Past Recipients
Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award
Awarded to an alumnus or alumna who has distinguished himself or herself in a profession and in the community and brought honor to Elon.
– 2021 Michelle Wideman ’00
– 2021 Steve Ellington ’80
– 2018 Carter M. Smith ’92
– 2018 Angie Lovelace Walton ’10
– 2018 Tony Weaver Jr. ’16
– 2018 Jill Rose ’00
– 2018 David A. Stevens ’81
– 2017 Susan L. Yow ’76
– 2017 W. Cecil Worsley III ’86 P’14
– 2016 Kelli E. Palmer ’98
– 2016 John R. Hill ’76
– 2015 Tracey Nugent ’84 P’15
– 2015 Igor Pavlov ’94
– 2014 Gail Hettel LaRose ’64
– 2014 Mike Riccio ’85
– 2013 U.S. Navy Adm. William “Bill” E. Gortney ’77
– 2013 Tracey Helton Lewis ’93 P’10
– 2012 A. Christine Baker G’88
– 2012 Christopher P. Martin ’78 P’13
– 2011 W. Thomas Amick ’69 P’13
– 2011 Samuel L. Burke ’89
– 2011 Michele Skeens Hazel ’78 LP’09
– 2010 Jack R. Lindley Sr. ’56 P’83
– 2010 Stephen F. Schuckenbrock ’82
– 2010 Kebbler McGhee Williams ’98
– 2009 William N.P. Herbert ’68
– 2009 Deborah A. Yow-Bowden ’74
– 2008 Noel L. Allen ’69
– 2008 Bonnie Baxter ’88
– 2007 George J. Kilroy ’73
– 2006 Raymond L. Beck ’75
– 2005 Gerry Stephen Oxford ’69
– 2004 Jerry Lee Michael ’66
– 2003 Eddie C. Bridges ’57
– 2002 Frederick J. Stephenson Jr. ’65
– 2001 Lowell L. Thomas ’65
– 2000 Kerrii Brown Anderson ’79
– 1999 Jo Craven McGinty ’85
– 1998 John “Jack” McKeon ’63
– 1997 William E. LaCoste ’62
– 1996 Frank R. Lyon ’71
– 1995 Jo Watts Williams ’55
– 1994 William C. Wilburn ’64
– 1993 Bob E. McKinnon ’62
– 1992 Kenneth Utt ’42
– 1991 Richard Thompson ’64
– 1990 C. Carl Woods Jr. ’51
– 1989 Zachary T. Walker III ’60
– 1988 Robert E. LaRose ’66
– 1987 G. Thomas Holmes ’39
– 1986 Barbara Day Bass ’61
– 1985 Don L. Allen ’56
– 1984 Charles Almon McIver ’36
– 1983 Isabella W. Cannon ’24
– 1983 Moses Crutchfield ’41
Young Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award
Awarded to an alumnus or alumna who has graduated within the past 10 years and has distinguished himself or herself in their profession.
– 2017 Ashleigh J. Palmer Weathers ’08
– 2017 Brandon S. Shore ’08
– 2016 Samantha J. Gilman ’08 L’11
– 2016 Geoffrey M. Lynn ’07
– 2015 Melissa Taylor Duncan ’06 L’09
– 2015 Matt Belanger ’05
– 2014 Kim Hayes ’05
– 2014 David L. Morrow II ’07 L’10
– 2013 Darris Means ’05
– 2013 Britten Ginsburg Pund ’06
– 2012 Alexandra E. Ellis ’05
– 2012 Michael G. Long ’04
– 2011 Joshua D. Voss ’01
– 2011 Daniel J. Watts ’04
– 2010 Michelle C. Pautz ’03
– 2009 Stephanie P. Newbold ’01
– 2009 Audrey M. Seagraves ’02
– 2008 Lundon B. Sims ’02
– 2008 Laith al-Majali ’05
– 2007 Kelli E. Palmer ’98
– 2007 Charles Ashton Newhall ’98
– 2006 Joshua S. Felix ’00
– 2005 Dustin Michael Tonkin ’95
– 2004 David L. Wyrick ’94
– 2003 Elizabeth Spain Cooper ’02
– 2002 Peter G. Lindstrom ’94
– 2001 Troy P. Senkiewicz ’98
– 1999 Steven P. Messinetti ’94
– 1998 Daniel C. Dollins ’93
– 1997 Burney Jennings ’87
– 1996 Raymond Covington ’86
– 1995 Christopher Janelle ’87
– 1993 Lisa D. Conklin ’86
– 1992 D. Wesley Durham ’88
– 1991 Greg Harris ’87
– 1988 Aiah Gbakima ’76
– 1987 Donna Hill Oliver ’72
– 1986 Eddie Ricky Brooks ’76
– 1986 D. Keith Hall ’72
– 1985 Deborah A. Yow ’74
– 1984 James W. Morris III ’72
– 1983 Raymond L. Beck ’75
– 1982 Noel L. Allen ’69
– 1982 William N.P. Herbert ’68
– 1981 William J. Griggs Jr. ’74
– 1980 Sally Ann O’Neill Mauldin ’70
– 1980 Wayne Weston ’71
– 1979 Carolyn Little ’69
– 1979 Gerry Oxford ’69
– 1978 Sam Lee Story ’69
Distinguished Service to Elon Award
Awarded to an organization, business, foundation or individual who has demonstrated outstanding service that promotes the advancement of Elon.
– 2021 Priscilla Awkard ’95
– 2017 Garrett A. McKnight ’94
– 2016 Howard F. Arner ’63 & Beverly Frye ’66 Arner
– 2015 Darryl Smith ’86
– 2014 Tim Johnson ’09 & Max Cantor ’10
– 2013 Lindsey Goodman Baker ’04
– 2011 Amy Thomas Hendrickson ’69 & Jay A. Hendrickson ’71
– 2011 Dorothy S. Walker & Zachary T. Walker III ’60
– 2009 Walter Campbell Tims ’00
Alumni Service Award
Presented to an alumnus or alumna who has given extraordinary service to his or her community.
– 2021 Kevin Gilmore ’96
– 2014 TJ Reynolds-Emwanta ’01
– 2013 Natasha Christensen ’07
– 2010 Carol Ann Barnett Collard ’89 & Chuck Collard ’89
– 2008 Joan Summers Drummond ’52
– 2006 Clyde Edward Welch Jr. ’59
– 2002 William Dennis Rippy ’43
– 2001 J. Fred Bowman ’51
– 2000 Margaret Patillo Cass ’57
– 1999 M. Cade Covington ’41
– 1998 Anita Butler ’88
Service to Church and Society Award*
– 2016 Samuel V. Barefoot ’79
– 2014 The Rev. Erin M. Keys ’05
– 2013 The Rev. Jonathan Chapman ’07
– 2011 Sir Walter L. Mack Jr. ’89
– 2009 Walstein W. Snyder ’45
– 2007 William J. Andes ’35
– 2006 Mary Coolidge Ruth ’66 & William J. Ruth ’66
– 2004 Faye Gordon Humphrey ’61
– 2002 Wilmer Brown ’92 & Hulen Grogans Brown ’92
– 2001 Laurinda M. Hafner ’76
– 2000 The Rev. Marvin L. Morgan ’71
Distinguished Service Award*
– 2003 Don E. Bolden
– 2002 Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation with special appreciation to Lyons Gray
– 2001 Alamance Regional Medical Center
– 1999 Henry N. Dorris ’57
– 1998 Nell Mann Snyder ’47
– 1997 Virginia Shipman Wilburn ’72
– 1997 Raleigh D. Ellis Jr. ’52
– 1992 The A.J. Fletcher Foundation
– 1991 Francis Asbury Palmer Fund
– 1987 Martha & Spencer Love Foundation
– 1985 Burlington Industries
Citizens Service Award*
– 2002 Edward K. Walker Jr. P’78 P’79 & Carol Ann Walker P’78 P’79
– 2000 R. Cruse Lewis
– 1998 Dolores Hagan Truitt ’53
– 1997 Warren “Dusty” Rhodes
– 1994 Eddie C. Bridges ’57
– 1989 James S. Belk Sr.
– 1987 David E. Pardue Jr.
– 1986 Calvin A. Michaels ’54
– 1984 Frances Turner Fonville ’28 & Rudy Moore Fonville ’27
– 1983 Marvin H. Comer
– 1982 James B. Powell
– 1981 Thad Eure
– 1980 Thomas E. Powell III
– 1979 Roger Gant Jr.
– 1978 Laurence A. Alley
* The Distinguished Service Award and Citizens Service Award were combined in 2004 to create the Distinguished Service to Elon Award.
For more information on the alumni awards, please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at (336) 278-7500 or alumni@elon.edu.