2024 Society of the Golden Key Induction Ceremony and Alumni Achievement Awards

SOCIETY OF THE GOLDEN KEY

Induction Ceremony — and —

NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Alumni Achievement Awards

April 2, 2024 - 5:30 p.m.

Bell Conference Center

SOCIETY OF THE GOLDEN KEY

In 1963, Dr. Robert Gilbert, Miss Elizabeth Hoover, Dr. Ralph Lyon, Dr. Alda May Spieth, and Mr. William Tidwell founded an honor society at the University of West Alabama known as the Society of the Golden Key. The objective of the society is to honor alumni and former faculty members who have brought distinction upon the institution by the quality of their lives and their achievements. Since the initial charter, 233 individuals have been inducted into the society.

Society of the Golden Key Inductees

MR. BRANDON ESSIG Partner, Lightfoot Law Firm Birmingham, Alabama

MR. JOHN E. PHILLIPS Author, Owner, Night Hawk Publications President, Creative Concepts Birmingham, Alabama

DR. J.J. WEDGWORTH

Vice President of Institutional Advancement, The University of West Alabama Founder, Chief Executive Officer, University Charter School Livingston, Alabama

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS The University of West Alabama and the National Alumni Association are proud of the accomplishments and loyalty of its graduates and we believe their achievements and support should be publicly recognized. In 1994, the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Awards were established to recognize graduates in each college or division who have distinguished themselves in such a way as to reflect honor on the University and the National Alumni Association.

Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award Recipients

BRAD BOLTON

MARCY BURROUGHS

MATTHEW LAVENDER

President, CEO, Senior Lender Community Spirit Bank

Superintendent of Education Sumter County School System

Owner, President Lavender, Inc.

DONAVAN JOHNSON

MARY TEW LONG

LYNN LASHLEY

College of Business Class of 2009

Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education Class of 2011

College of Liberal Arts Class of 2012, 2015

College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics Class of 1990, 1993

Dean of Students Baton Rouge Community College

Certified Licensed Athletic Trainer Holy Spirit Catholic School Tuscaloosa City School System

Division of Engineering & Technology Class of 2005

Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing Class of 1976 Professor Emeritus Retention Specialist Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS The University of West Alabama and the National Alumni Association are proud of the accomplishments and loyalty of its graduates and we believe their achievements and support should be publicly recognized. In 2012, the Emerging Leader Awards were established to recognize graduates in each college or division who show promise for success and leadership in the same manner.

Emerging Leader Award Recipients

R.J. MILLER College of Business Class of 2008

BRANDON RENFROE Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education Class of 2022

Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis for Global Payments, Inc.

Science/Anatomy and Physiology/Earth & Space Science teacher DeKalb County Schools

RANDA SIMPSON HOVATER

KRISTA ELAM MATTIX

College of Liberal Arts Class of 2016, 2019

Tourism Account Supervisor Miles Partnership

College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics Class of 2016 Payload Planning Manager MartinFederal Consulting

GRIFFIN RICKETSON Division of Engineering & Technology Class of 2019 Wastewater Treatment Manager Chemical Waste Management

FREDERICA EVERETTE MCKINNEY Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing Class of 2013

Clinical Informaticist Specialist, RN DCH Regional Medical Center