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JACKSON, Tenn. — Nov. 9, 2020 — 51���� celebrated Homecoming with the theme of “Coming Back to Our Roots” Nov. 6-7. Although modifications to the typical Homecoming events were made because of COVID-19, the Union community still celebrated with an alumni awards banquet and Homecoming court presentation Nov. 6, along with other events throughout the week and weekend.

Union recognized 19 alumni and friends of the university for outstanding achievements in their respective fields Friday night at the Meritorious Service Awards Banquet in the Carl Grant Events Center.

“This year’s banquet looked a little different due to the pandemic, but it was important to us to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of these distinguished alumni and friends who exemplify the core values of the university and live out the mission of Union each and every day in their community,” said Catherine Kwasigroh, Union’s vice president for institutional advancement.

This year’s alumni award winners include:

- Carla Sanderson (’81), Alumnus 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����. Sanderson has 40 years of leadership experience with global reach and impact in higher education and health care. She is the provost of Chamberlain University and provost emerita at 51����.

- Paul Akin (’06), Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. This award is presented to up to three Union graduates who are age 40 or younger with a record of significant accomplishment in their professional life and for service to 51���� or the world. Akin serves as dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Ministry at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and previously was as a team leader at the International Mission Board.

- Allen M. Smith (’04), Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. Smith has worked in the software industry, specializing in Apple platforms, since graduating. For the last nine years, Smith has worked at eBay as a software engineer on one of the world’s leading e-commerce apps.

- Elsie Smith (’60), 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����. Smith, professor emeritus, served as a biology professor at Union for 54 years before her retirement in 2016. She served multiple stints as chair of the biology department, and the Elsie Y. Smith Microbiology Lab in White Hall is named in her honor.

- The Polk Glover Family, Union Family Legacy Award. This award is presented to one family that has a strong tradition of attending 51����, with a minimum of three generations of graduates, and that has been consistently involved with and committed to the university.

The Glovers’ connection to Union has covered five generations, beginning with Dr. Ilar Glover, who was a Union trustee, and two of his six children (Dale and Louise) who attended Union. Dale’s oldest son, Polk Glover, attended Union where he met his wife, Sarah Pauline “Polly” Stone. Polly was an English professor at the University of Tennessee at Martin for more than 35 years. Polk succeeded his father in managing Glover Farming Co., and has served several terms on Union’s Board of Trustees and is a trustee emeritus.

They had three children, and their daughter, Brooke Emery, is assistant professor of marketing at Union. She completed her Master of Business Administration degree from Union in 2009, and her husband, Joe, graduated from Union in 1992 with a degree in business administration and is finishing his MBA. The Emerys have three daughters, and their eldest, Sarah, will graduate from Union in the spring.

- Dr. Hyran Barefoot, Lest We Forget Award. This award is presented in recognition of longtime service and contributions to the 51���� community. Barefoot served as Union’s 14th president from 1987-1996, leading the institution during a period of record enrollments, new construction, innovative programming and renewed alumni commitment.

- Bill Adcock, Lest We Forget Award. Adcock owned All-Wear Manufacturing and Lonoke Manufacturing. He served for more than 20 years as a member of the 51���� Board of Trustees, has been named trustee emeritus and was also a member of the 51���� Foundation Board from 2006-2020.

- Gil and Judy Fletcher (’75), Robert E. Craig Service Award. This award is named after Union’s 13th president and recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the university. Judy graduated from Union with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and worked as a CPA for many years before retiring from Alexander Thompson Arnold in 2015. Gil served with Federal Land Bank for 11 years and retired from BancorpSouth after 21 years of service. He has served on the 51���� Board of Trustees and is a past chairman of the 51���� Foundation.

- Ann Singleton (’74), G.M. Savage Legacy Award. This award is given to a faculty or staff member for his or her ongoing commitment to Christ-centered education at Union. Singleton is associate provost and dean of instruction at Union. Previously, she served the university as associate dean of the School of Education and continues to teach as university professor of special education. Before joining Union in 1985, she worked in the former Madison County School System as both a classroom teacher and supervisor of special education.

In addition, Union presented Distinguished Achievement Awards to 10 Union alumni for significant contributions in different professional areas. Those recipients are:

- Bettye Whiteaker Hurt (’55) in health care. Hurt completed her dental degrees from Baylor University and practiced periodontic dentistry in the Dallas, Texas, area until her retirement.

- Rob Dixon (’00) in business. Dixon has been the owner of a SERVPRO franchise in Nashville, Tennessee, for the past 14 years.

- Donna Gaines (’80) in education. In 2012, Gaines began the ARISE2Read program for underserved second graders in the Memphis city school system.

- Kevin Adelsberger (’10) in arts/media. Adelsberger is the founder of Adelsberger Marketing in Jackson, Tennessee, and a co-founder of Our Jackson Home, hosting its podcast from 2015-19.

- Reggie Thomas (’85) in church ministry. Thomas is president of PeakePotential and previously served in numerous church leadership roles across California, New Mexico and Texas.

- Michael Ulon Smith (’72) in research/sciences. Smith is a professor emeritus in the Department of Community Medicine at the Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia.

- Chris Todd (’89) in government/public service. Todd was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 73, which covers most of Madison County, in 2018.

- Glenna Veteto Marshall (’03) in humanities. Marshall is the author of two books, writes for several publications and is social media director for Practical Shepherding’s women’s branch.

- Gary Johnson (’92) in athletics. Johnson serves as chair of the Department of Physical Education, Wellness, and Sport at Union.

- Luke Pruett (’06) in not-for-profit. Pruett is the recruiting director at City Leadership in Memphis, Tennessee.

Union’s Homecoming Court was also presented Friday night during the Homecoming Hullabaloo event on the Great Lawn. Hayden Rash, senior cell and molecular biology major from Marion, Arkansas, was named Mr. Union. Delaney Sain, senior public relations major from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was named Ms. Union.

Mr. Union candidates included Jake Beals, Hayes Bell, Raymond Chahyadi, Isaac Elliott and Rash, and Ms. Union candidates included Leah Campbell, Rachel Lett, Elli Pratt, Suzanne Rhodes and Sain.