SOCIETY OF THE GOLDEN KEY InductionCeremony and
NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
April 2, 2024 - 5:30 p.m.
Bell Conference Center
AlumniAchievementAwards
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
College of Business Class of 2009
President, CEO, Senior Lender Community Spirit Bank
DONAVAN JOHNSON
College of Liberal Arts
Class of 2012, 2015 Dean of Students
Baton Rouge Community College
MARCY BURROUGHS
Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education Class of 2011
Superintendent of Education Sumter County School System
MARY TEW LONG
College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Class of 1990, 1993
Certified Licensed Athletic Trainer
Holy Spirit Catholic School
Tuscaloosa City School System
MATTHEW LAVENDER
Division of Engineering & Technology
Class of 2005
Owner, President Lavender, Inc.
LYNN LASHLEY
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
Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis for Global Payments, Inc.
RANDA SIMPSON HOVATER
College of Liberal Arts
Class of 2016, 2019
Tourism Account Supervisor
Miles Partnership
BRANDON RENFROE
Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education
Class of 2022
Science/Anatomy and Physiology/Earth & Space Science teacher
DeKalb County Schools
KRISTA ELAM MATTIX
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