Past Alumni Award Winners
Honoring the men and women whose dedication, service, and leadership reflect the best of UMO.
2025
Young Alumni Achievement AwardJames Benson ’21
Lorelle F. Martin and Michael R. Pelt Excellence in Teaching AwardAndy Sullivan ’04
Lifetime Achievement AwardGary Barefoot ’59
Dianne Brown Riley Distinguished Service AwardSteven Anderson ’98
W. Burkette Raper Leadership AwardWanda Becton ’81
Tillman Business AwardDon Fader ’76
Alumni Hall of FameAlexis B. “Lexie” Welch, RN, Ed.D. ’73
Honorary UMO AlumnusDonnie “Don” Lassiter
2024
Young Alumni Achievement AwardPaul Young ’18
Lorelle F. Martin and Michael R. Pelt Excellence in Teaching AwardLaura Buddin ’81
Lifetime Achievement AwardKermit Nixon ’83
Dianne Brown Riley Distinguished Service AwardDr. Gregg Paul ’74
W. Burkette Raper Leadership AwardDr. Leslye Kornegay ’99
Tillman Business AwardTilwanda Steinberg ’17
Alumni Hall of FameDr. Jason Mendez ’01
Honorary UMO AlumnusTim Warren
2023
Young Alumni Achievement AwardBrandon Hickey ’18
Lorelle F. Martin and Michael R. Pelt Excellence in Teaching AwardSarah Williamson ’17
Lifetime Achievement AwardGenevieve Taylor ’57
Dianne Brown Riley Distinguished Service AwardFrancine Cooke ’76
W. Burkette Raper Leadership AwardMichael Burkette Hood ’16
Alumni Hall of FameJames Cahoon ’75
Honorary UMO AlumnusDr. Sandy Maddox
2022
Young Alumni Achievement AwardJohn Ryan ’15
Lorelle F. Martin and Michael R. Pelt Excellence in Teaching AwardMichael J. Bowen ’83
Lifetime Achievement AwardEarl Bielby ’67
Dianne Brown Riley Distinguished Service AwardBryan DeBose ’11
W. Burkette Raper Leadership AwardEarl W. Worley ’86
Alumni Hall of FameHilda Watkins ’57
Tillman School of Business AwardDwayne Bevell ’97
2021
Young Alumni Achievement AwardAisha Christa Atkinson ’13, Eric Godwin ’11
Lorelle F. Martin and Michael R. Pelt Excellence in Teaching AwardBarbara Lee ’08, Barry Staton Toole ’83
Lifetime Achievement AwardBilly Kornegay ’66, Carolyn Jernigan ’64
Tillman Business AwardScott Winslow ’96
2019
Lorelle F. Martin and Michael R. Pelt Excellence in Teaching AwardMarian Kennedy ’82, Roy Harris ’07
W. Burkette Raper AwardJaNae Joyner ’02
Tillman School of Business AwardDean Rouse ’90
Alumni Hall of FameKristi Nixon ’84
2018
Lorelle F. Martin and Michael R. Pelt Excellence in Teaching AwardNancy Boykin ’81
Lifetime Achievement AwardDavid Hines ’79
Alumni Hall of FameKevin Kornegay ’95
Honorary Alumna AwardStephanie Kornegay
Business Associate of the YearKevin Coakley ’95, AccuCopy of Goldsboro
2017
Honorary Alumnus AwardOpey D. Jeanes
Lifetime Achievement AwardLee Glover ’59
Alumni Hall of FameTerry ’03 and Juliet ’03 Jones
Business Associate of the YearBrad Lee ’99, William E. Lee and Sons Trucking Co.
2016
Dianne Brown Riley Distinguished Service AwardCarolyn F. Hill ’64
Lifetime Achievement AwardJean F. Ackiss ’60
Alumni Hall of FameCharlotte F. Watson ’96
Business Associate of the YearJohn ’15 and Deanna ’11 Ryan
2015
Honorary Alumnus AwardAshton Griffin
Lorelle F. Martin and Michael R. Pelt Excellence in Teaching AwardHeather McPherson ’08
Business Associate of the Year AwardSIA Group Insurance, Brandon Mills ’07
2014
Dianne Brown Riley Distinguished Service AwardNancy Yates ’89
Young Alumnus Achievement AwardTrenton V. Lassiter ’09
Honorary Alumna AwardGail S. Huffaker
Lorelle F. Martin and Michael R. Pelt Excellence in Teaching AwardSara McLamb ’09
Business Associate of the Year AwardDr. Kenneth E. Benton ’11
2013
Honorary Member AwardJanice Meyers
Young Alumnus Achievement AwardKelley Smart ’04
Business Associate of the Year AwardTracey Meadows ’94
2012
Alumni Hall of Fame AwardJulie Beck ’00
Honorary Member AwardBrenda Edwards
Dianne B. Riley Distinguished Service AwardDianne B. Riley ’67
Lorelle F. Martin and Michael R. Pelt Excellence in Teaching AwardIrene Patten
Business Associate of the Year AwardMike Davis ’73
2011
Excellence in TeachingIrene Patten
Alumni Business Associate of the YearMike Davis ’73
Alumni Hall of FameJulie Beck ’00
Honorary AlumnusBrenda Edwards
Distinguished Alumni of the YearDianne Riley ’67
2010
Young Alumnus of the YearBrent Williams ’91, Keith Williams ’92
Alumni Business Associate of the YearDoug Anderson ’67 ’88
Alumni Hall of Fame – TraditionalCarolyn Fader Hill ’64
Alumni Hall of Fame – CohortTharesa Chadwick Lee ’01
Distinguished Alumni of the YearRomey McCoy ’78
Honor a Trojan
Nominate Someone Today
Know a deserving alumnus? Submit your nomination for the UMO Alumni Association Awards.
