JACKSON, Tenn. — Nov. 9, 2017 — Union University welcomed back alumni, recognized outstanding alumni for their service and crowned a new Homecoming queen as part of Homecoming festivities on campus Nov. 3-4.
“It’s always a delight to welcome Union graduates back home to campus,” said Catherine Kwasigroh, Union’s vice president for institutional advancement. “Union has a long history of shaping lives and preparing students for success in a variety of fields, so it’s fitting for us to celebrate who our alumni are and what they have accomplished.”
Mary Catherine Byars, a business administration major from Dyersburg, Tennessee, was crowned Homecoming queen. She is the daughter of Tim and LaDon Byars.
Other members of the Homecoming court included senior representatives Krista Erlandson of Libertyville, Illinois; Savannah Legan of Eagle, Wisconsin; and Rachel Lewis of Germantown, Tennessee; junior representative Sabrina Clendenin of St. Charles, Missouri; sophomore representative Kristen Pickens of Jackson, Tennessee; and freshman representative Lyanna Mockford of Austin, Texas.
Cedric Davis of Memphis, Tennessee, was named Mr. Union, while Katie Hail of Jackson, Tennessee, was named Miss Union.
The men of Sigma Alpha Epsilon won the Presidential Homecoming Cup, given to the student organization that has shown outstanding service during the last school year. Zeta Tau Alpha finished second and Chi Omega was third.
At a chapel service Nov. 3, members of the class of 1968, who celebrated their 50-year reunion over the weekend, talked about the impact Union made on them.
“When I came to Union, I was a very naive little country girl,” Lynne Murchison recalled. “When I left Union, I was educated. I think I was more grown up. If I talk to you about what Union meant to me, the first thing I would have to say is that Union gave me an excellent education. Without the foundation I had here, I could not have gone on. My English classes here prepared me for graduate school.”
Union University recognized 18 alumni and friends for outstanding achievements in their respective at the Meritorious Service Awards Banquet Nov. 2.
“Union University has a long history of producing graduates who excel in their careers and in their service to others,” said Catherine Kwasigroh, Union’s vice president for institutional advancement. “We’re looking forward to an evening where we are able to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of this year’s group of award winners.”
Award winners included:
Ken Newman (’62), Alumni of the Year Award. This award is presented to a Union graduate for distinction in his or her profession, service to mankind and/or contribution to Union University. Newman has taught in Union’s School of Education as professor of educational leadership for 17 year. He previously served in a variety of positions in Jackson-area schools.
Steve Beverly, Distinguished Service Award. This award is given to a member of the Union community for distinction in his or her profession, service to mankind and/or contribution to Union University. Beverly joined the Union faculty in 1993 after 20 years in television as a news director in Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. He is associate professor of communication arts and has served as coordinator of the broadcast journalism program for 25 years.
Ashley Pugh (’11) and Fred Shackelford (’99), Outstanding Young Alumni Award. This award is presented to up to three Union graduates who are age 40 or younger with a record of significant accomplishment in professional life and for service to Union University or the world. Pugh graduated from Union’s College of Pharmacy in 2014 and serves on its faculty as an assistant professor of pharmacy practice with a clinical practice site at Kroger Pharmacy. Shackelford has been senior pastor of Ellendale Baptist Church in Bartlett, Tennessee, since 2013.
Norman O. Hill (’80), Lest We Forget Award. This award is presented in recognition of longtime service and contributions to the Union University community. Hill is executive director of Trumbull Laboratories, LLC, in Memphis. He is a member of Union’s Board of Trustees and previously served as chairman of the presidential search committee.
Harry Smith, Robert E. Craig Service Award. The award is named after Union’s 13th president and recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the university. Smith served as Union’s Board of Trustees chairman during the 2008 tornado and assisted with the planning effort to rebuild about 75 percent of Union’s campus housing.
George Guthrie, G. M. Savage Legacy Award. The award is given to a faculty or staff member for their ongoing commitment to Christ-centered education at Union. Guthrie is the Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible at Union and is the author of more than a dozen books and numerous articles.
In addition, Union presented Distinguished Achievement Awards to 11 Union alumni for significant contributions in different professional areas. Those recipients were: John C. Jennings (’67) in health care. Jennings is professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin, where he also served as regional dean from 2006-2012.
Robert Dailey III (’76) in business. Dailey is the president and chief operating officer of Intex DIY, Inc., one of the largest textile wiping cloth suppliers in the country.
Lyda Kay Ferree (’67) in arts/media. Ferree is a feature writer, travel writer and account executive at VIP City Magazines in Jackson.
Linn Stranak (’70) in education. Stranak began working at Union in 1980, coaching baseball and serving as chair of the physical education, wellness and sport department.
Haylie Mulliniks (’03) in research/sciences. Mulliniks is the clinical director at Toyos Clinic, which specializes in refractive surgery and dry eye.
Lawrence Ragland (’87) in church ministry. Ragland is president and CEO of The Paris Youth Enrichment Project, which teaches youth the necessary skills for mission work in the local community and beyond.
Luis Ortiz (’04) in athletics. Ortiz is in his third season with the San Diego Padres after joining the organization in 2015 as field and hitting coordinator. John Carroll (’09) in government/public service. Carroll is the executive director of City Leadership and founder of Choose901 in Memphis.
Mandy White (’98) in not-for-profit. White is senior vice president of economic development for the Jackson Chamber.
Richard and Barbara McDade (’68) in humanities. Richard retired from Baptist Hospital in Memphis in February after 34 years of service. Barbara is a teacher at First Assembly Christian School, where she has served since 1984.