Alumni Awards
2025 Alumni Awards Recipients
天美传媒 alumni are making an impact in everything they do, both in their careers and in their communities. The Alumni Association recognizes our outstanding alumni for their professional accomplishments, athletic achievements, and engagement with the University.
Old Gold Goblet
Given each year, this award recognizes eminence in life’s work and service to 天美传媒. Our 2025 recipient is Kathy Patterson Vrabeck '85.
Young Alumni Award
This award is given to an alumnus, alumna, or alum under the age of forty who has demonstrated leadership in career and civic associations and has shown strong loyalty to 天美传媒. Our 2025 recipient is Molly Madden '18.
Alumni Citations
These awards are given to multiple alumni each year to recognize outstanding professional achievement in areas such as performing arts, entrepreneurship, science, technology, or media. Our 2025 recipients are Judy Edstrom '70, Ann Libka Hendrich '80 and Reuben F. Johnson '82.
Nominate a Classmate or Friend
To nominate an alumnus, alumna, or alum to receive the Old Gold Goblet, Young Alumni Award, or Alumni Citations, please complete this online form.
Nominations for these honors are due annually on March 31 and are awarded for the following year.
For a list of previous award recipients, please review the list at the end of this page.
天美传媒 Athletics Hall of Fame
The Athletics Hall of Fame gives lasting recognition to individuals and teams who have made exceptional contributions to the achievements and prestige of 天美传媒 in the field of athletics and who have continued to demonstrate in their lives the values imparted by intercollegiate athletics.
The Hall of Fame also promotes more interest in the 天美传媒 athletic program among alumni and to highlight the performance of past athletes who have contributed to 天美传媒 university's outstanding reputation. The 2025 inductees to the Athletics Hall of Fame are:
- Courtney Lauer Carlson '11
- Tom Downham '88
- Kathy Hesse Driggs '91
- Eric Fruth '02
- Craig Nelson '80
- Bill Wagner
Nominate a Classmate or Friend
To nominate an alumnus/alumna for induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame, please complete this online form.
Nominations for the Athletics Hall of Fame are due annually on December 31.
Robert C. McDermond Medal for Excellence in Entrepreneurship
Nominations for the Robert C. McDermond Medal for Excellence in Entrepreneurship may be made by any person or group, including staff, students, administration, alumni, and the business community.
From the list of nominations received, the Robert C. McDermond Center Director along with the members of the alumni advisory board selects the recipient or recipients of The Robert C. McDermond Medal each year after considering the following criteria:
- The nominee’s role in the formation or growth of an entrepreneurial business venture in a small or large organization;
- The nominee’s display of leadership and management;
- The nominee’s role in assisting others in establishing entrepreneurial businesses;
- The nominee’s unique display of creativity and innovation in entrepreneurial leadership or entrepreneurial behavior within a larger organization;
- Preference will be given to a nominee who is 天美传媒 alumni, a friend or supporter of 天美传媒, or a gracious supporter of the State of Indiana.
Nomination Process
Nominees remain on the nomination list for five years. If after five years, the nominee has not been selected, he/she may be re-nominated for another five year period. To complete the nomination form, please click here.
Nominations for the McDermond Medal are due annually on February 1 to be considered for the following academic year.
Past Alumni Award Recipients
| 2024 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet: Kathy Patterson Vrabeck '85听 Young Alumni Award: Molly Madden '18听 Alumni Citation: Judy Edstrom '70, Ann Libka Hendrich '80, Reuben F. Johnson '82 |
| 2023 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet: Alan Hill '81 Young Alumni Award: Anajah Roberts '10 Alumni Citation: Saundra (Lawson) Taylor '63 and Claire (Cunningham) Eblovi '04 |
| 2022 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet: Joyce Taglauer Green '75 Young Alumni Award: Megan Casey Glover '04 Alumni Citation: Ann-Clore Jones Duncan 鈥�89, Joshua A. Thompson 鈥�04 and Steven R. Linville 鈥�06, posthumously |
| 2021 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet: Sally Smerz Grooms Cowal '66 Young Alumni Award: Kareem J. Edwards '07 Alumni Citation: S. Troy Cummings 鈥�96, Wallace J. Nichols 鈥�89 and Nichole Nicholson Wilson 鈥�99 |
| 2020 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet: Marshall Reavis '84 Young Alumni Award:听Nicole Pence Becker '06 Alumni Citation:听Anita Hursh Cast 鈥�61, Dawn Ahlgren Chapman 鈥�00 and Andrew H. Madsen III 鈥�78 |
| 2019 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet: Stephen W. Sanger 鈥�68 Young Alumni Award:听Kyle Suzanne Smitley 鈥�07 Alumni Citation:听Chinonye Onyebuchi Chukwu 鈥�07,听Amanda D. Lotz 鈥�96,听Ben C. Solomon 鈥�10 |
| 2018 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet:听Max W. Hittle, Jr. '66 Young Alumni Award:听David V. Blackburn II '04 Alumni Citation:听Elisabeth Walker Evans '07,听Jeffrey M. McCall '76,听Pharez A. Whitted '82 |
| 2017 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet:听R. David Hoover '67 Young Alumni Award:听Lawren K. Mills '01 Alumni Citation:听Kevin R. Armstrong '82,听Dennis E. Bland '87,听James M. Schlatter '52 |
| 2016 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet:听Kathryn F. Hubbard '74 Young Alumni Award: Nadia T. Mitchem '98 Alumni Citation:听Mark E. Rolfing '71,听Mary G. Meeker '89,听Douglas Hallward-Driemeier '89 |
| 2015 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet:听Sarah Reese Wallace '76听 Young Alumni Award:听Bradley K. Stevens '99 Alumni Citation:听Anne Korli Shane '71,听Ian B. Davidson '80,听Susan Stirling Little '59 |
| 2014 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet:听Michael L. Smith '70听 Young Alumni Award:听Jonathan V. Fortt '98 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Citizenship and Voluntary Service:听Judy Blang Locke '58听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Creative and Performing Arts:听Joseph C. Nicholson '62 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Management and Entrepreneurship:听Edward E. Lehman '82 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Media:听William Bret Baier '92 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Professional Achievement:听David S. Cannom '62 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Science and Technology:听James S. MacDonald '70 |
| 2013 Alumni Awards |
| Young Alumni Award:听Elisa Villanueva Beard '98听 |
| 2012 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet:听James R. Bartlett '66听 Young Alumni Award:听Aaron J. Lucchetti '96听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Citizenship and Voluntary Service: Janice Pahl Kern '71听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Creative and Performing Arts:听Richard W. Peck '56 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Management and Entrepreneurship: Robert S. Apatoff '80听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Media:听William F. Rasmussen '54听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Professional Achievement:听Randall L. Braddom '64 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Science and Technology:听Karl Y. Hostetler '61听 |
| 2011 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet:听Judson C. Green '74听 Young Alumni Award:听Lisa Henderson Bennett '93听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Citizenship and Voluntary Service:听Dorothy Sams Healy '62听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Creative and Performing Arts:听Kevin D. James '83 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Management and Entrepreneurship:听Robert R. Carpenter '78 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Media:听Mary Leonard Ramshaw '70 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Professional Achievement:听Robert C. Nordvall '62听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Science and Technology:听William F. Carroll '73听 |
| 2010 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet:听Don Daseke '61 Young Alumni Award:听James A. Rechtin '93 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Citizenship and Voluntary Service:听Ruth Ritz Rusie听听'40听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Creative and Performing Arts:听Barbara Zaring '69听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Management and Entrepreneurship:听Kathy Patterson Vrabeck '85 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Media:听Lee E. Dirks '56 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Professional Achievement:听L. Penfield (Pen) Faber '52,听Carolyn Hostetter Smith '59听 |
| 2009 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet:听Jim B. Stewart '73 Young Alumni Award:听Jason Asbury '95听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Citizenship and Voluntary Service:听Maclyn Parker '51 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Creative and Performing Arts:听Margaret Kemper '60 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Management and Entrepreneurship:听Mark Emkes '75听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Media:听Norval Reece '56听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Professional Achievement:听Kenrad Nelson '54听 |
| 2008 Alumni Awards |
| *Distinguished Alumni Achievement Awards were not awarded in 2008 due to President Casey's Inauguration. All nominations were held for review in 2009. |
| 2007 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet:听Tim Solso '69听 Young Alumni Award:听Travis Nelson '93听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Citizenship and Voluntary Service:听Thomas Shuck '72 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Creative and Performing Arts:听Willis "Bing" Davis '59听 Alumni Achievement Award for Management and Entrepreneurship:听Angela Hicks Bowman '95 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Media:听John Frost Bridge '49 (dec)听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Professional Achievement:听Wallace J. Nichols '89听 |
| 2006 Alumni Awards |
|
Young Alumni Award:听Wendy Ellis-Gardner '89听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Citizenship and Voluntary Service:听Andy Buroker '84 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Creative and Performing Arts:听D. David Cryer '58 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Management and Entrepreneurship:听Janet Risi '81 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Media:听Douglas 'Paul" Frantz '71,听Ford C. Frick '51听-听posthumous award听听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Professional Achievement:听James Thompson '61听 |
| 2005 Alumni Awards |
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Old Gold Goblet:听Barbara E. Smith '62 Young Alumni Award:听Rebecca L. Relic '89听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Citizenship and Voluntary Service:听Dennis E. Bland '87听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Creative and Performing Arts:听Gretchen Kiger Cryer '57,听Nancy Ford Charles '57听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Management and Entrepreneurship:听Luis R. Davila '81 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Professional Achievement:听John L. Rabb '66听 |
| 2004 Alumni Awards |
|
Old Gold Goblet:听Charles Hirotsugu Iikubo '57 Young Alumni Award:听Isham听Jay Bennett '91听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Citizenship and Voluntary Service:听Elizabeth L. Hake '79听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Creative and Performing Arts:听Pamela J. Coburn '74 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Management and Entrepreneurship:听Tim Solso '69听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Media:听Barbara Blakemore '46听 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Professional Achievement:听Dr. Margery Stoops Gass '66 |
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Visit 天美传媒 Athletics to view all Hall of Fame inductees by .听
2020: Megan Casey Glover听鈥�04, Co-Founder & CEO, 120WaterAudit
2019: Thomas P. Cooper, M.D. 鈥�66, Healthcare Entrepreneur
2019: Dan Hasler 鈥�80, CEO, Purdue Research Foundation
2017: Dave Hersh 鈥�94, Co-Founder & CEO, Glimmer
2016: Justin Christian 鈥�95, President & CEO, BCforward Corporation
2015: Don Daseke 鈥�61, President & CEO, Daseke Inc.
2014: Beth Owens 鈥�89, Co-Founder and Marketing Strategist, BrandEra
2013: Jenny Vance 鈥�00, Co-Founder and President, LeadJen; Founder and CEO, PlanSoon
2011: Jeffrey Harmening 鈥�89, Senior Vice President and President, Big G Cereal Division, General Mills
2011: Kevin McCarty, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President, West Monroe Partners, LLC
2010: Jan Risi 鈥�81, President and Chief Executive Officer, Independent Purchasing Cooperative
2009: Angie Hicks 鈥�95, Founder and CMO, Angie鈥檚 List
2008: David Becker 鈥�75, CEO and Chairman, First Internet Bank of Indiana
2007: Frank Hagaman, President, Partners in Housing Development Corporation
2006: Allan Hubbard, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director, National Economic Council, and President of E & A Industries
2005: Patricia R. Miller, Secretary of Commerce, Indiana Department of Commerce
2004: Jan Davidson, President and Co-Founder, The Davidson Institute
2003: William A. Cook, CEO, Cook Group, Inc.
2002: Jack M. Gill, Ph.D., Senior Advisor to CIMIT Research Scientist, Lecturer, Harvard Medical School; Founder and General Partner, Vanguard Ventures.
2001: Jeffrey Smulyan, President, CEO, and Chairman, Emmis Communications
2000: Richard M. Schulze, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Best Buy Company, Inc.
1999: Lawrence E. Young, Jr., Principal, Carpediem Capital, Inc.
1999: James W. Emison, President and CEO, Western Petroleum Company, Western International Trading Company, and Emison Enterprises
1998: Keith Reinhard, Chairman and CEO, DDB Needham
1997: Judson Green, President, Walt Disney Attractions