ALUMNI ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES FOUR TENNESSEE RESIDENTS WITH AWARDS AT HOMECOMING 1997
Jackson, Tenn. — 51社区's Alumni Association honored four Union graduates, including three Jackson residents, at the Alumni Reunion Dinner Saturday, April 12, at 5 p.m. in the University's Coburn Dining Room.
"Union's alumni have proven to consistently distinguish themselves in everything they do," Sheri Evans, director of alumni services, said. "This was an opportunity to recognize four of the many individuals who play important roles in their communities and at 51社区."
Dr. Herbert R. Higdon, a Jackson resident and a 1950 graduate of Union, was recognized with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Higdon's commitment to 51社区 has included service as a member of Union's Board of Trustees from 1970-1976. He was elected president of the Alumni Association in 1986-87.
From 1982 until 1984, Higdon served as the executive director of the Madison-Chester Association of Baptists and the Crockett County Baptist Association. He served as president of the Tennessee Directors of Missions association in 1992-93 after being honored by the organization as the Outstanding Director of Missions in West Tennessee in 1986. Other impressive work has included Rigdon's service as a member of the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention from 1965-1973 and 1994 to the present.
Mary Cepparulo, also a Jackson resident and a 1967 graduate of Union, received the Distinguished Service Award. "God put each of us on earth to love [and] to share ourselves with others," Cepparulo says. She is actively involved in the Jackson community. As a member of Calvary Baptist Church, she serves as a Sunday School teacher. Her community involvement has included service as president of the Fraternal Order of Policy Auxiliary and as a member of the Board of Directors at the Cerebral Palsy Center.
In 1977 Cepparulo was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a degenerative disease of the central nervous system. As the condition destroys myelin, a fatty substance that sheaths nerve fibers, lesions develop on the brain and spinal cord. Patients experience a variety of symptoms, most notably fatigue and lack of mobility in their limbs.
Cepparulo could have easily become distraught. However, she refused to let her anxieties conqueror her. She became involved with the Multiple Sclerosis Society and led in the establishment of a local chapter in Jackson. Now, she is trained as an M.S. counselor and helps newly-diagnosed patients work through the same anxieties she experienced 20 years ago.
Tamara Trexler-Robinson, a 1984 alumna and a resident of Nashville, was honored with the Outstanding Young Achiever Award. After graduating from Union with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English-journalism, Trexler-Robinson embarked upon her career as she began serving as an intern in Congressman Albert Gore, Jr.'s office.
Later she pursued her Master of Arts degree in political communication at the University of Memphis and was employed by the Ned McWherter Gubernatorial Campaign. During the eight-month period prior to the election, Trexler-Robinson scheduled daily public appearances for the former Governor, arranged news conferences, and assisted with the production of television campaign commercials.
After a two-year break from her political career to care for her new baby, Trexler-Robinson discovered a path that combined two of her passions – acting and politics. She co-founded the Tennaissance Theatre Company, Inc., a Nashville-based group of professional actors and singers.
As co-owner of Tennaissance, Trexler-Robinson directs a troupe of 18 professional actors, singers and musicians who travel across the state portraying 20 historical characters to bring the voice of Tennessee's history to young adult and family audiences at schools, churches, colleges and community events in Tennessee.
Dr. Carla Sanderson, a resident of Jackson and a 1981 Union graduate, was presented with the Distinguished Faculty/Staff Award. Sanderson joined the nursing faculty at the University in 1982 as an instructor of adult health and maternal-child health following her graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Sanderson's service to 51社区 and the field of nursing has been extraordinary. After obtaining her diploma in nursing from Baptist Memorial Hospital in 1970, Sanderson served as a critical care nurse at BMH and then moved to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. While serving as an instructor of nursing at Union from 1982 until 1987, she continued her work as a critical care nurse at BMH and then as a cardiac rehabilitation nurse at JMCGH.
After obtaining her Ph.D. in 1989, Sanderson became an assistant professor of adult health, pharmacology, ethics and research while she was promoted to dean of Union's School of Nursing. In the following years, Sanderson has maintained commendable clinical work experience as a managed care consultant and as a volunteer nurse at the Good Samaritan Health Center in Jackson. She also served on medical and dental mission teams to Honduras, Central America, sponsored by the University.