The University of South Alabama's National Alumni Association will honor five distinguished alumni, a U.S. senator and a local news organization at its annual awards gala on Friday, Feb. 9, at the Mitchell Center.

The event, part of Homecoming weekend 2007, recognizes the achievements and contributions of alumni and advocates for USA. Proceeds from the event will support the association's scholarship program. The gala begins with cocktails at 6 p.m. and continues with dinner at 6:45 p.m.

This year's recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Awards are Judy Culbreth, editor-in-chief of Mobile Bay Monthly; Neil Henderson, co-founder and general manager of the embedded systems division of Mentor Graphics (previously known as Accelerated Technology); Capt. Robert “Ron” Jenkins III, director of Naval Weapons Systems Business Development for Raytheon Missile Systems; Steve Kittrell, head baseball coach for USA; and The Honorable Kenneth Simon, a partner with Christian & Small, LLP of Birmingham. The Distinguished Service Award recipients are U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby and the Press-Register.

“In the third year of this recognition program, once again we have an outstanding and extremely worthy group of recipients,” said Michael Mitchell, USA National Alumni Association board member and chair of the Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards program. “We are excited to recognize them for their achievements and significant service to our alma mater. This is the biggest gala held on our campus and we anticipate a sellout event.”

Tables and individual tickets are available for purchase. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Carol Kittrell in the Office of Alumni Relations at (251) 460-7084.

Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Judy Culbreth, B.A. '72. During her senior year at USA, Judy Culbreth was named one of America's Top Ten College Women by Glamour Magazine. This award became the catalyst for a move to New York and an amazing career in publishing. The award-winning journalist first served as an editorial assistant as Seventeen Magazine, then as editor-in-chief of Working Mother and Parent&Child magazines and executive editor at Redbook. Culbreth was one of the co-founders of the national program Take Our Daughters to Work Day, and testified before Congress on behalf of the Family and Medical Leave Act. She has appeared on hundreds of national television news programs, including a regular guest spot on the PBS public affairs show “To the Contrary” and a four-year stint as the work-family correspondent with the “Today Show.” Culbreth currently serves as editor-in-chief of Mobile Bay Monthly, a lifestyle magazine covering the Bay Area. A native of Mobile, she received her bachelor's degree in history from USA.

Neil Henderson, M.S. '90, is the co-founder and general manager of the
embedded systems division of Mentor Graphics, which was previously known as Accelerated Technology. Accelerated Technology creates and sells embedded operation computer software systems. The company was started in 1990, and by 1995 Accelerated Technology was earning over $1 million in annual sales. More than 80 USA alumni work at the company, which employees nearly 200 people. Some of Accelerated Technology's customers include Compaq, Honeywell, NASA, Sony, and Texas Instruments. Henderson and Accelerated Technology are committed to fostering a relationship with USA's School of Computer and Information Sciences by providing more than $300,000 in equipment and $150,000 in graduate fellowships. Henderson was one of the first graduate students in the Master of Science degree program at the USA School Computer and Information Sciences. Prior to attending USA, Henderson served in the Navy from 1975 through 1983 and Henderson received his bachelor's degree in accounting at the National University in San Diego.

Robert (Ron) D. Jenkins III, '73, is Director of Business Development for the Naval Weapon Systems product line at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Arizona. Before joining Missile Systems, Jenkins served as Director of the CVN 21 (21st Century Aircraft carrier) program for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, leading a team that won the multi-million dollar Mission Systems Integration contract for Raytheon. Jenkins was a career officer in the U.S. Navy, rising to the rank of Captain. He commanded the USS McInerney (FFG-8) during Operation Desert Shield and the USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) leading combat strike operations during Operation Allied Force. Jenkins served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy and was selected as the Senior Fellow at the CNO Strategic Studies Group where he helped to develop FORCEnet. He is the recipient of numerous awards and commendations including the 1994 VADM James Bond Stockdale award for inspirational leadership and the 2000 John Paul Jones award for inspirational leadership from the Navy League of the United States. As an undergraduate at USA, Jenkins was a member of Circle K, Student Government Association and Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. A native of Mobile, Jenkins received his bachelor's degree in education from USA in 1973, and his master's degree in National Security Affairs from the U.S. Naval War College and Armed Forces Staff College in 1985.

Steve Kittrell '71, M.A. '73, is the head coach for USA's baseball team. As an undergraduate, Kittrell played centerfield under legendary USA Coach Eddie Stanky and earned USA's highest career batting average (.360), a record he still holds. He signed a professional contract with the Boston Red Sox in 1971. In 1983, Kittrell returned to USA as head coach, where his teams have qualified for the NCAA tournament 19 of his 23 seasons. USA has played in the final 16 of the NCAA tournament seven times. Kittrell was coach during six of the seven visits. USA was named the 21st best program in the nation by Baseball America for the 90's decade. During his 23 years a head coach, more than 70 of his former players have signed professional major-or minor-league contracts. He is an inductee in the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame, the USA Athletic Hall of Fame and most recently, the Alabama Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. Kittrell, a native of Mobile, earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from USA's College of Education.

The Honorable Kenneth Simon '76 is, to date, the only USA graduate to be awarded a White House Fellowship. White House Fellows spend a year working as full-time, paid special assistants to senior White House staff, the Vice President, Cabinet Secretaries and other top-ranking government officials. As an undergraduate at USA, Simon was very active on campus. He was a member of the varsity debate team, Mortar Board and president of the Student Government Association. From 1992 to 1996, Simon served as a Circuit Court Judge for Jefferson County, Alabama, the largest judicial district in the state. Currently, he is a shareholder in the law firm of Christian and Small, LLP, of Birmingham. Simon's commitment to Alabama is not limited to the judicial system. He is one of the founders of what is now the Bay Area Food Bank. A native of Mobile, Simon received his bachelor's degree in history from USA and his law degree from the University of Alabama.

Distinguished Service Award Recipients

The Press-Register, the oldest newspaper in Alabama, has served as a leading force in the community for generations. The Press-Register, and its award-winning reporters and editors, have done excellent work in chronicling the growth of the region, particularly the revitalization of downtown Mobile and the rapid development of Baldwin County. The newspaper has also been supportive of downtown growth, particularly through its new building and presses on Water Street, which has helped lead to a renovation and rebirth of the entire area. The Press-Register also donated its former location on Government Street to encourage art downtown through Space 301. This move has spawned a downtown renaissance in art galleries and events. The Press-Register has been supportive of all major initiatives of the University including, USA's legislative agenda and budget, Mitchell Cancer Institute, Technology and Research Park, Campaign USA, and the partnership with Auburn University for a pharmacy school at USA.

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby has served with distinction in the U.S. Congress for more than 28 years, including four terms as a representative and 20 years as a senator. Currently, Shelby serves as ranking member of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and ranking member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee. In addition, he is a member of the Appropriations Committee and the Special Committee on Aging. Shelby has been a strong advocate in helping USA establish the Mitchell Cancer Institute and build a new College of Engineering complex. Shelby served as USA Commencement Speaker in May 2006, at which time USA celebrated his 72nd birthday by honoring him, and his wife, Dr. Annette Nevin Shelby, with Doctor of Humane Letters degrees. A fourth-generation Alabamian, Shelby and his wife have two sons and two grandchildren. They reside in Tuscaloosa.