The 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards brought together members of the Elon community to honor four alumni whose lives exemplify the university’s values of leadership, global citizenship, service and lifelong connection.
In a warm and spirited gathering at the Snow Family Grand Atrium on May 2, Elon University recognized four outstanding individuals whose professional excellence and enduring commitment have left a lasting impact on their communities and alma mater.
Since 1941, Elon has celebrated alumni whose achievements, leadership and service bring honor to the university. At the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony, four more names were added to that list: Sam Troy ’67, Akilah Weaver Hill ’00, Mike Cross and Cecelia Thompson ’05.
At the conclusion of the event, President Connie Ledoux Book reflected on how the honorees embody the spirit of Elon’s motto, Numen Lumen, representing both knowledge and light through their work. She emphasized that their stories reflect the university’s mission to create opportunities and build a better world, adding that purpose-driven work like theirs sustains hope for the future.
“Thank you for your purpose and your compassion and for caring so deeply for Elon University,” Book said.
Sam Troy ’67 – Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Sam Troy’s legacy is one of global vision, civic duty and unwavering support for his alma mater. A retired international business executive, Troy built a career that spanned three continents — from the U.S. Department of Commerce to private-sector leadership at Lane Furniture and academic research at UNC Greensboro. He now serves as executive-in-residence at UNCG’s Bryan School of Business and Economics, where he focuses on promoting North Carolina’s wine industry.
A lifelong advocate for global education, Troy has endowed two scholarships at Elon — one supporting business students and the other funding international study. He’s been a faithful donor every year since his graduation and remains active in university life as a career mentor, alumni volunteer, reunion organizer and past board member.
During the ceremony, Niels Egelund, a close friend from the College of Europe in Belgium and now the Danish ambassador, recounted their 55-year friendship and estimated they’d walked “some 7,000 miles together — from Brussels to Britain, Greensboro to Connecticut.”
In his remarks, Troy credited the people who shaped his life: his parents, his late husband, Buster, and beloved Elon President Emeritus Dr. J. Earl Danieley ’46. He recalled a chance encounter with Danieley in his rose garden that led to a meeting with then–House Minority Leader Gerald Ford — and ultimately, a role in public service.
“Dr. Danieley managed to keep me continuously involved,” Troy said. “He never let go of me,” he said, adding that he always felt included in the growth of the university. “I am ever Elon.”
Akilah Weaver Hill ’00 – Distinguished Alumna of the Year
Akilah Weaver Hill is a dynamic leader in corporate America, a passionate advocate for equity and a mentor to future generations. A senior vice president at Bank of America, Hill oversees the design and delivery of employee work/life benefit programs for more than 200,000 U.S.-based associates. Her prior roles include program management at Alight Solutions and business analysis with IBM.
At Elon, Hill was a Jefferson Pilot Business Fellow and the first Black woman elected president of the Student Government Association. She was also a four-year member and two-year vice president of the Elon Gospel Choir and actively involved in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Today, she continues to give back through her leadership with the Elon Black Alumni Network (where she served as president during the COVID-19 pandemic), the Women of Elon Advisory Council and numerous volunteer roles.
Barb Carlton, associate director of facilities and event services at James Madison University, introduced Hill by reflecting on her natural ability to make others feel seen and valued — whether custodial staff, administrative assistants or university leadership. From the start, Hill was determined to make a difference. She has a gift for building authentic relationships and understands the power of her influence, especially with students preparing for college, Carlton said. Whenever she can, she shares her Elon experience and offers thoughtful guidance, helping future students envision the opportunities that await them.
A breast cancer survivor and community advocate, Hill mentors young professionals and serves on the board of the Deltas of Charlotte Foundation. In her remarks, she reflected on the deep relationships formed at Elon and how they’ve continued to shaped her life.
“Thank you for recognizing my skills and talents and drawing me back because even though I graduated in 2000, I don’t think there was a year where I was not involved,” she said. “It’s because of how much Elon has poured into me, I can’t help but to say yes, every time.”
Mike Cross – Distinguished Service to Elon
For more than three decades, Mike Cross has been a loyal and generous supporter of Elon University, especially its athletics programs. A veteran of the reinsurance industry, Cross serves as president of Acrisure Re North America, where he has helped mentor and employ many Elon students and graduates.
Cross and his wife, Mary Ellen, made their first gift to Elon in 1990. Since then, their generosity has grown to include support for Rhodes Stadium, the Schar Center and nearly every Elon sports team through the Phoenix Club. Mike has served on multiple leadership councils and advisory boards and is a fixture at Elon football games, where his “7 a.m. Tailgate” crew is known for raising the Phoenix flag bright and early on game days.
Jonathan Miller, senior director of development, said Cross’s influence extends far beyond his official roles. For decades, he been a trusted advisor to coaches, athletic directors, staff members, and student-athletes alike — always ready with encouragement, insight, and unwavering support.
“We are involved because we see the wonderful people who come through the university and participate in sports. We’re so proud of it,” Mike said during his remarks. “It’s so wonderful to see the contributions they make to not only the university, but also the community in general. We’re so blessed to have Elon near us and contributing to the community — it’s such a wonderful impact.”
Cecelia Thompson ’05 – Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Cecelia Thompson is a leader in civic innovation and community development, known for her inclusive, collaborative approach to public life. As executive director of Action Greensboro, she works at the intersection of business, education, and local government to strengthen economic opportunity and quality of life in the city she calls home. She’s also the former director of the Guilford Green Foundation and LGBTQ Center, founder of the Boomerang Greensboro talent initiative, and co-creator of the national Young, Smart & Local conference network.
At Elon, she studied political science, public administration and sociology, and was a founding member of the marching band. She credits a formative internship at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro with setting her on a path toward public service and community engagement.
Her efforts have earned her numerous honors, including the Dawn S. Chaney Award, Next City Vanguard distinction and recognition from Triad Business Journal. She serves on multiple state and local boards focused on education, the arts, and health equity.
In her introduction, Gavin Stevens ’07 called Thompson “a master class in leadership with heart,” noting the inspiration she brings to those around her through quiet, powerful actions.
In her remarks, Thompson recalled arriving at Elon just a week before the September 11 attacks. As a new member of the marching band, she remembered how the group had planned to perform the fight song during College Coffee that Tuesday morning. Instead, in a spontaneous act of solidarity, they marched to the fountains and played the national anthem — a moment that revealed the strength of Elon’s community even in the face of tragedy. That early experience of belonging, she said, shaped her entire time at Elon and continues to guide her work today.
“I go back to that sense of belonging and how we make change in the spaces we work and live in,” she said. “It’s about broadening circles, inviting more people in and making sure they have the support they need to flourish. That’s a value I found at Elon — and one I carry forward.”