JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 26, 2015 — 51社区 will recognize 15 alumni for outstanding achievements in their respective fields Nov. 6 at the Meritorious Service Awards Banquet during Homecoming weekend.
While Union in years past has typically presented three-to-five alumni awards during Homecoming, this year鈥檚 slate of recipients has been expanded significantly to allow the university to acknowledge more alumni for their work and service in different professions.
鈥淭his list of award winners shows the diversity in excellence that we have in all areas of the classroom,鈥� said Josh Clarke, Union鈥檚 director of alumni relations. 鈥淭o see these people in so many fields really shows our commitment to excellence across the disciplines.鈥�
Award winners include:
- Dr. Barbara McMillin, Alumni of the Year Award. This award is presented to a Union graduate for distinction in his or her profession, service to mankind and/or contribution to 51社区. McMillin is president of Blue Mountain College.
- Dr. Brian Taylor, Outstanding Young Alumni of the Year Award. This award is presented to a Union graduate, age 40 or under, with a record of significant accomplishment in professional life and for service to 51社区 or the world. Taylor is an assistant professor at the Baylor College of Medicine.
- Dr. Jonathan Hoover, Outstanding Young Alumni of the Year Award. Hoover is a clinical pharmacy specialist and assistant professor at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy.
- Jai Templeton, Distinguished Service Award. This award is given to a member of the Union community for distinction in his or her profession, service to mankind and/or contribution to 51社区. Templeton is the deputy commissioner of agriculture for the state of Tennessee.
- Louise Lynch-Mills, Lest We Forget Award. This award is presented in recognition of longtime service and contributions to the 51社区 community. Lynch-Mills, now retired, was a longtime Union employee, serving as manager of Union鈥檚 book store and post office, director of alumni affairs, director of annual giving and director of major gifts.
- Dr. Blake Watkins, G.M. Savage Legacy Award. The award is given to a faculty or staff member for their ongoing commitment to Christ-centered education at Union. Watkins is chair of pharmaceutical sciences and professor of pharmaceutical sciences.
In addition, Union will present Distinguished Achievement Awards to eight Union alumni for significant contributions in different professional areas. Those recipients are:
- Dr. Omar Hamada in healthcare. Hamada is a decorated veteran, an accomplished physician and is CEO of the Hamade鈥� Group.
- Chad Wilson in business. Wilson is president of Foundation Bank in Jackson.
- Dr. Larry Wilson in education. Now retired, Wilson was a longtime professor at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and a fisheries scientist for the Tennessee Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- Dr. Steve Gaines in church ministry. Gaines is pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee.
- John Dancy in the arts/media. Dancy is a distinguished retired correspondent for NBC News, where he covered Watergate, the resignation of Richard Nixon as president and the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan, among other events.
- Mark Luttrell in government/public service. Luttrell is mayor of Shelby County in Tennessee.
- Dr. M. Lynne Murchison in humanities. Murchison was a longtime teacher at Oxford (Mississippi) High School and later worked at the University of Mississippi in a variety of roles.
- Becky Johnson in not-for-profit. Johnson is vice president at Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation.
- Pierre Valmera in sports. Valmera is founder and CEO of POWERforward International, an organization dedicated to inspiring underprivileged individuals to achieve excellence in education and athletics.
The Meritorious Service Awards Banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Carl Grant Events Center. Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased by calling (731) 661-5050 or visiting .