Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards

The Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards celebrates the achievements of the University’s remarkable alumni and friends. This annual event is an opportunity to publicly recognize these inspiring individuals. USA alumni are continuously making a difference across the globe and setting an example for future generations of Jaguars. The 16th annual Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards gala was held at the MacQueen Alumni Center on Thursday, March 5, 2020.

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards. Download the nomination form here. The nomination deadline is April 30, 2020.

2020 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

2020 Distinguished Service Award

Mr. James J. “Jake” Gosa ‘73

2020 V. Gordon Moulton Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Joseph F. Busta, Jr.

2020 Inspirational Achievement Award

Mr. William J. “Happy” Fulford ’73, ’91

2020 Community Partner Award

Mrs. Merceria Ludgood

2020 Distinguished Alumni Awards

Mr. William B. Burnsed, Jr. ‘72

Mr. John T. Crowder, Jr. ‘69

Mr. Brian J. Cuccias ‘79

Previous Winners
2019 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners Tanya Fratto Blair ’83, Caleb F. Crosby ’03, Edward A. Panacek, MD ’81, MPH, Marilyn Aiello, O.P., MD ’78, Ralph A. Hargrove
2018 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners Stephen E. Clements '78, Christopher C. Melton '81, Thomas M. Miller, MD '81, Joseph I. Molyneux, Ph.D. '70 and Thomas Joe Purvis '74
2017 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners James Busby MBA '83, VADM William Dean Lee '79, John Meigs MD '79, Dr. Patsy Capps Covey and Leeman Covey
2016 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners Diana Kahler Laier '83, Dr. James E. Laier, Christopher L. Lee, Jonathan Hursh '04, James H. "Jimmy" Shumock '80 and Mark Sloan Williams MD '80
2015 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners Greg Gabel '89, MBA '98, Andy Denny '68, MEd '72, Dan Grafton '75, V. Gordon Moulton, and Warren Nicholson '82, MSEE '89
2014 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners Bobby Marks '71, Gerry Marks '73, '88, Laura Cayouette MA '88, Dr. Marshall Porterfield '93, Mary Rodning, Dr. Charles Rodning, Dr. Steven Furr '76, MD '81, Julian MacQueen'73
2013 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners Dr. David Stearns, Larry Lilley, Jr. '92, Holle Briskman '69, Robbie McGhee '93, Tommy Zoghby '76, MBA '89
2012 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners David Whiddon `69, Terrence Tumpey, Ph.D. `97, The Honorable Victor Gaston MA `70, Glenn Sebastian Ph.D., and The Honorable Don Davis `78.
2011 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners Christie Miree `93; Michael Thompson `72; Herbert and Fanny Meisler; Dr. Damon Andrew `98, M.S. `99; Sydney Raine; and Carol Kittrell `83.
2010 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners Dr. Frank V. Degruy III, M.D. '77; Geri S. Moulton; JoAnn S. Broadus, post-master’s certificate 1996; Michael Saxon; Dr. Pamela T. Henson '84, Lt. Col. Brian G. Casleton '87; Barbara S. Malkove '69 and John W. Mincy '70.
2009 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners Gigi Armbrecht ’75, MBA ’88; The Crampton Trust; Don McCrory ’70; Dr. Johnson Haynes, Jr., COM ’80; Goldie Ungar; Major General Michael Sumrall ’70; Marlon Anderson; and Jim Yance ’70
2008 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners E. Thomas Corcoran ’70, Dr. James L. Harris ’79, Celia Mann Baehr M.B.A. ’82, Dr. Steven H. Stokes, M.D., ’80, The Honorable Bob Riley, Robin A. Hurst ’68, The Honorable Samuel L. Jones, R. Bruce McCrory ’72.
2007 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners The Honorable Kenneth Simon ’76; Capt. Robert “Ron” Jenkins III ’73; Steve Kittrell ’7, M.A. ’73; The Honorable Richard Shelby; the Mobile Press-Register; Judy Culbreth ’72 and Neil Henderson, M.S. ’90
2006 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners The Honorable Herman Y. Thomas '83; John "Jack" Donovan, Jr., '85; the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Eugene de Juan, Jr., '79, Dr. Joseph Benoit, Jr., '82, '86, Luis Gonzalez, attended '85-'89 and The Honorable Herbert L. "Sonny" Callahan
2005 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award Winners Tina Allen'78; James and Ann Nix; Abraham Mitchell; Dr. Laurie Beth Owen'80; Jon Lieber; Mark Hoffman'74; Mike Dow, '71, MBA '77; Mayer and Arlene Mitchell.