Chalfant, Jerkins receive top 2026 alumni awards
Office of Public Relations & Communications |
2026 alumni award honorees Brooklyn Chalfant and Gary Jerkins with President Candice McQueen.
One of the highlights of Bisons Weekend is recognizing two distinguished alumni whose professional accomplishments, leadership and commitment to service exemplify the university's mission. Brooklyn Chalfant (’18) is the 2026 Young Alumna of the Year Award recipient, and Dr. Gary Jerkins (’74) has been named the 2026 Alumnus of the Year. Both were honored at Bisons Weekend chapel.
The Young Alumni of the Year Award recognizes emerging and established leaders among Lipscomb University’s young alumni who demonstrate exceptional leadership, a commitment to serving others and the potential to make a lasting impact in their professions and communities. The award also celebrates alumni who exemplify Lipscomb’s mission and demonstrate a continued commitment to the university and its values.
Chalfant, who earned a bachelor's degree in theater education from Lipscomb, has served as director of theater arts at Floyd Central High School in Indiana since 2020. Under her leadership, the school's theater program has earned state and national recognition, including the 2023 Outstanding School Award and the 2025 Theatre in Our Schools Advocacy Award. Her professional accomplishments include working with the Jimmy Awards in New York City, studying Shakespeare Off-Broadway and receiving the 2024 Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship. She also was selected to direct the youth pilot production of SUFFS for the 2026 Indiana All-State Musical.
The Alumnus of the Year Award is Lipscomb University’s highest alumni honor, presented annually to an individual whose exceptional professional accomplishments, strong faith and commitment to serving others exemplify the transformative impact of a Lipscomb education. The award recognizes alumni who have achieved distinction in their fields while embodying the university’s values and bringing honor and recognition to their alma mater.
Jerkins is an accomplished ophthalmologist whose connection to Lipscomb began as a first grader at Lipscomb Academy. After earning his bachelor's degree in biology at Lipscomb, he went on to medical school and built a distinguished career as a physician and eye surgeon. He currently leads Advancing Vision Research,LLC, and has remained actively involved with Lipscomb through his support of athletics and mentorship of pre-health students through The J.S. Ward Society. Since 1996, Jerkins has led medical mission efforts in Ukraine, coordinating surgical teams to provide critical care to underserved communities. He also founded SeaStar Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children experiencing trauma related to the war in Ukraine.