The Alumni Awards are the highest honor conferred upon our alumni and recognize the inspiring ways Lipscomb alumni are making a profound impact in the world.
2026 Recipients
Alumnus of the Year: Dr. Gary Jerkins (’74)
Young Alumna of the Year: Brooklyn Chalfant (’18)
Click here to learn more about the 2026 recipients!
To nominate individuals for the 2027 awards, please use the links below to review the criteria and submit nominations by Aug. 28, 2027.
Nominate a Candidate Alumni Awards Criteria Previous Award Recipients
The Young Alumnus of the Year Award is designed to recognize established and future leaders among Lipscomb’s young alumni. Standards for recognition include one or more of the following: demonstrated leadership capability, a substantial indication of a commitment to service of others, demonstration of the potential for leadership/distinction in the long term and a substantial commitment to Lipscomb University and its mission.
Criteria:
- Nominees must have graduated from an undergraduate or graduate course of study at Lipscomb University.
- Nominees must have graduated within the last 10 years OR under the age of 40.
- Nominees must have established an exceptional record in a particular career discipline.
- Nominees must have made such an accomplishment which demonstrates an enthusiasm or vigor which typifies and represents the spirit of both students and recent graduates
- No person shall be recommended for Young Alumnus of the Year while a candidate for public office.
- To be eligible for nomination, alumni do not have to be working in the particular discipline from which they graduated.
Nomination Form.
Selection Process
The Office of Alumni Engagement, by means of the compiled list, will make recommendation to the President and Senior Leadership Team regarding the selection of the recipient. The President and Senior Leadership Team will have the final decision.
Contact
Stephanie Carroll, assistant vice president of alumni and parent engagement, at o) 615.966.5130 or email srcarroll [at] lipscomb.edu (subject: Info%20re%3A%20Alumni%20Awards) (Stephanie Carroll.)
The Alumnus of the Year Award is presented on an annual basis and is the highest form of recognition given by Lipscomb University. The recipient can be defined as: “One singularly successful individual who, through exemplary accomplishments and recognition, and through his/her strong faith and servant-like heart, epitomizes the potential of a Lipscomb education and thereby brings credit and honor to the university.”
Criteria:
- Nominees must have graduated from an undergraduate or graduate course of study at Lipscomb University.
- Nominees must have established an exceptional record in a particular career discipline.
- Nominees must have made outstanding contributions in their field of expertise.
- To be eligible for nomination, alumni do not have to be working in the particular discipline from which they graduated.
- Nominees must have achieved international, national, state or regional recognition for outstanding definable career accomplishments.
- Nominees must have a record of distinguished service.
- No person shall be recommended for Alumnus of the Year while a candidate for public office.
- Nominees must have demonstrated excellent service to the university in at least two or more of the following:
- Student recruitment
- Financial support
- Volunteer support of university programs
- Internships, mentoring and/or job replacement
- Served as a member on a University board or council
Nomination Form.
Selection Process
The Office of Alumni Relations, by means of the compiled list, will make recommendation to the President and Senior Leadership Team regarding selection of the recipient. The President and Senior Leadership Team will have the final decision.
Contact
Stephanie Carroll, assistant vice president of alumni and parent engagement, at o) 615.966.5130 or email srcarroll [at] lipscomb.edu (subject: Info%20re%3A%20Alumni%20Awards) (Stephanie Carroll.)
Previous Alumni Award Recipients
Below are former recipients of awards presented by the Office of Alumni Engagement. These include the Young Alumnus of the Year award, Alumnus of the Year award, Lipscomb Honors and a Distinguished Alumni award from each college. See key below for college abbreviations.
2025
Alumna of the Year Award
Drew Davis (’81)
Young Alumna of the Year Award
Alex (Kelly) Samuels (’11)
2024
Alumna of the Year Award
Robbie (Brewer) Davis (’74)
Young Alumnus of the Year Award
Bennie Harris II (’20 & ’21)
2023
Alumnus of the Year Award
Pat Martin (’99)
Young Alumnus of the Year Award
Ruth Steele Park (’18)
2022
Alumnus of the Year Award
Pat Bethel (’72)
Young Alumnus of the Year Award
Sydney Ball (’12 & ’14)
2021
Alumnus of the Year Award
Not awarded
Young Alumnus of the Year Award
Not awarded
2020
Alumnus of the Year Award
Not awarded
Young Alumnus of the Year Award
Not awarded
2019
Lipscomb Honors Award
Ernie Clevenger (’75)
Jeffrey W. McGruder, II (’00
Jean Shelton Walker (’69)
2018
Lipscomb Honors Award
Jim (’68) and Linda Shackelford
Steve Groom (’73)
James Netterville (’76)
MarQo Patton (’12 & ’17)
2017
Lipscomb Honors Award
Kerri Pauley Edwards (’93)
Bruce Bowers (’72)
2016
Lipscomb Honors Award
Lori Bumpas (’86)
Mark Lanier (’81)
2014
Alumnus of the Year
David A. Sampson ('78)
2013
Alumnus of the Year
Jeff Whitehorn ('84)
Young Alumnus of the Year
David Clayton ('04 & '06)
2012
Alumnus of the Year
Beth Harwell ('78)
2011
Alumnus of the Year
Dr. Michael F. Adams ('70)
Young Alumnus of the Year
Patrick Chaffin ('96)
2010
Alumnus of the Year
Dr. Paul Jhin ('60)
Young Alumnus of the Year
Mitch Edgeworth ('95)
Distinguished Alumni
Randy Goodman ('77) - CAS
Dr. Jean Anderson ('75) - CAS
Dr. Jerry L. Sumney ('78) - CBM
Keith Dyer ('85) - COB
Scott Owens ('86) - COE
Bryan Thornton ('98) - RBJ
2009
Alumnus of the Year
Barry Stowe ('79)
Young Alumnus of the Year
Dr. Johnetta Blakely ('94)
2008
Young Alumnus of the Year
Michael Shane Neal ('91)
2006
Alumnus of the Year
Mary Nelle Hutcheson Chumley ('53)
Distinguished Alumni
Judy Leavell (’68) - CAS
Jerrie Barber (’67) - CBM
Ernie Hyne, II (’73) - COB
Bill Burton – (’70) - COE
Sara Reed Stinchcomb (’61) - CNAS
2005
Alumnus of the Year
Marty Roe ('84)
Distinguished Alumni
Beth Halteman Harwell (‘78) - CAS
Johnny Markham (’85) - CBM
Bob Sircy (’74) - COB
George Spain (’56) - COE
J. David Hardison (’76) - CNAS
2004
Alumnus of the Year
Dale Randolph ('64)
Distinguished Alumni
Lincoln Hanks (’91) - CAS
Clyde Miller (’48) - CBM
Ken Shumard (’65) - COB
Tom Ingram (’67) - COE
David Elrod (’77) - CNAS
2003
Alumnus of the Year
Randy Becton ('66)
Distinguished Alumni
David Sampson (’78) - CAS
John Murphree (’49) - CBM
Jeff Whitehorn (‘84) - COB
Sharon McLarty Dockins (’77) - COE
Jimmy Netterville (‘76) - CNAS
2002
Alumnus of the Year
Roger Church ('49)
Distinguished Alumni
David Ralston (‘62) - CAS
Philip Slate (’57) - CBM
Bruce Sullivan (’63) - COB
Steve Liddle (’82) - COE
Robert Pilkinton (’54) - CNAS
2001
Alumnus of the Year
Tom Trimble ('53)
Distinguished Alumni
Dennis Loyd (‘58) - CAS
Larry Cantrell (’91) - CBM
David Costello (‘64) - COB
Caroline Cross (’53) - COE
Oliver Yates (‘56) - CNAS
1999
Alumnus of the Year
Jim Jinkins ('75)
Distinguished Alumni
Phillip Sprayberry (’76) - CAS
Clarence Dailey (’48) - CBM
Karen Saul ('84) - COB
Junior High (’70) - COE
Tom Breakfield (’62) - CNAS
1998
Alumnus of the Year
William Ruhl ('59)
Distinguished Alumni
Larry Bumgardner (‘77) - CAS
Harvey Floyd ('53) - CBM
Gary Baker (’67) - COB
Harry Kellam (’68) - COE
Burton Elrod (’72) - CNAS
1997
Alumnus of the Year
John R. Pierce ('69)
1996
Alumnus of the Year
William S. Banowsky ('58)
1995
Alumnus of the Year
Craven Crowell ('65)
1994
Alumnus of the Year
Ronald Avron Hunter ('71)
1992
Alumnus of the Year
Janice Bingham ('67)
1991
Alumnus of the Year
Charles E. Chumley ('39)
1990
Alumnus of the Year
G. Willard Collins ('36)
