JACKSON, Tenn. — Nov. 8, 2022 — Union University’s 2022 Homecoming celebration included the recognition of 19 alumni and friends of the university for outstanding achievements in their respective fields and the presentation of Union’s Homecoming Court, among other activities.
The Meritorious Service Awards banquet was held Nov. 4 in the Carl Grant Events Center.
“Union has such a rich history of producing alumni who serve their communities well, and who make a difference in the lives of others for the kingdom of God,” said Catherine Kwasigroh, Union’s vice president for institutional advancement. “We’re so thankful for this year’s award winners, and we’re honored to be able to recognize them for their accomplishments.”
This year’s winners include:
- John Adams (’63), Alumnus 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. Adams served as Union’s vice president for religious affairs and professor of practical Christian ministries at Union from 1982-1999. He has also served several churches as pastor and interim pastor.
- Joshua B. Clarke (’07, ’11, ’16), Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. This award is presented to up to three Union graduates who are age 40 or younger with a record of significant accomplishment in their professional life and for service to Union University or the world. Clarke serves as missions pastor at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.
- Drew Yates (’05, ’10), Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. Yates is a senior relationship manager at FirstBank in Jackson, Tennessee.
- Katie McCoy (’07), Outstanding Young Alumna Award. McCoy serves as director of women’s ministry at Texas Baptists.
- Ashley Blair (’94), 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. Blair is chair of the communication arts department at Union and coordinates the public relations major. She has worked at Union for 23 years.
- The Phil Jett Family, Union Family Legacy Award. This award is presented to one family that has a strong tradition of attending Union University, with a minimum of three generations of graduates, and that has been consistently involved with and committed to the university. Longtime pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee, Phil Jett graduated from Union in 1966. He and his late wife Marilyn have three children – David Jett, Steven Jett and Susan Jett Larson – all of whom are Union graduates. Two of Phil’s grandchildren (Kevin Jett and Brian Jett) are Union graduates, and one (Elijah Larson) is a current Union student.
- Karen McWherter (’81), Lest We Forget Award. This award is presented in recognition of longtime service and contributions to the Union University community. McWherter recently retired from Union after a 40-year career in the information technology department.
- Tony Wamble, G.M. Savage Legacy Award. This award is given to a faculty or staff member for his or her ongoing commitment to Christ-centered education at Union. Wamble is laboratory specialist, director for anatomical services and director for plastination at Union, where he has worked since 2009.
- Gary A. Taylor (’01), Robert E. Craig Service Award. This award is named after Union’s 13th president and given to an individual who has made significant contributions to the university. Taylor is president of Gary A. Taylor Investment Co. in Jackson, Tennessee, and has developed approximately 3 million square feet of commercial retail, office, hotel, banking and restaurant space in his career. He is chairman of the Union University Foundation and a former chairman of Union’s Board of Trustees.
In addition, Union presented Distinguished Achievement Awards to 10 Union alumni for significant contributions in different professional areas. Those recipients were:
- Kimberly Holland (’99, ’01) in health care. Holland is the director of nursing at The Jackson Clinic in Jackson, Tennessee.
- Stephen Moore (’83) in business. Moore founded his own independent financial planning firm, Financial Strategies Group in Franklin, Tennessee, in 1997.
- Chris Mathews (’95) in education. Mathews is vice president of academic affairs at Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota.
- Trent Bullock (’88) in church ministry. Bullock is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Paris, Tennessee.
- Kerstin Ure (’04) in research/sciences. Ure is manager of the University of Ottawa Behaviour and Physiology Core in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Cody Curtis (’09) in humanities. Curtis is a composer, educator and performer who serves as assistant professor of music theory and composition at Union.
- Tommy Sadler (’76) in athletics. Sadler is director of athletics at Union.
- Felipe Araújo (’12) in not-for-profit. Araújo is one of the masterminds behind the project "Sports Beyond Borders" in Brazil as one of the authors of a series of educational books that uses sports to improve students' social-emotional abilities.
- Brad Douglass (’86) in arts/media. Douglass is anchor for 7 Eyewitness News at WBBJ in Jackson, Tennessee.
- Olivia Abernathy (’11, ’12) in government/public services. Abernathy is director of early education initiatives at United Way of West Tennessee.
Complete list of alumni awards
Union’s Homecoming Court was presented Nov. 5 during halftime of the Bulldog basketball game. Abby Bone, a nursing major from Chiang Mai, Thailand, was named Ms. Union, while Steve Williams III, a business administration major from Memphis, Tennessee, was named Mr. Union.
Other Ms. Union candidates were Laila Al-Hagal, a digital media communications major from Spring Hill, Tennessee; Mikayla DePalma, a social work major from Catawba, North Carolina; Danielle Popson, an economics major from Scottsdale, Arizona; and Hadie Sowell, an intercultural business major from Hernando, Mississippi. Other Mr. Union candidates were Tad Binkley, a history major from Jackson, Tennessee; Preston Buck, a zoology major from Crossville, Tennessee; Sean Otto, a business management major from Modesto, California; and Charlie Skinner, an accounting major from Brentwood, Tennessee.