Past Alumni Award Recipients
The Kent State University Alumni Association recognizes and honors alumni who, through leadership, character and hard work, have made exceptional contributions in their chosen profession, in their communities and at Kent State University. Sponsored by the Kent State Alumni Association, the Alumni Awards are the university’s most prestigious honors given to alumni.
Past Award Recipients
2023
- Distinguished Alumni Award - Thomas Iivari, ’67, MS ’76
- Distinguished Citizen Award - Scott Haws, ’99, MBA
- Professional Achievement Award - Danita Brown Young, ’97, Ph.D.
- Professional Achievement Award - Sonia Karkare, ’93, MS ’96
- Professional Achievement Award - John Van Alstine, ’74, MFA
- Kent State Advocacy Award - Garret Ferrara, ’90, MBA ’92
- Outstanding New Professional Award - Morgan Dawson, ’20
- Golden Flash Award - Isobel Day, ’23
- Golden Flash Award - Haley Dees
- Golden Flash Award - Avery Hall, '23
2022
- Distinguished Alumni Award - Raj Aggarwal, MBA ’70, DBA ’75
- Distinguished Citizen Award - Kathryn M. Tschiegg, ’92, RN
- Professional Achievement Award - Gary P. Jacobson, Ph.D. ’78
- Professional Achievement Award - Robert C. Lape, ’55
- Kent State Advocacy Award - Howard Ruffner, ’71
- Outstanding New Professional Award - Brenna Parker, ’17
- Golden Flash Award - Hannah Balash, ’21
2021
- Distinguished Alumni Award - Beverley Laubert, ’84
- Distinguished Citizen Award - James Luther Raper, ’79
- Professional Achievement Award - Colonel (ret) David H. Carstens, ’88
- Professional Achievement Award - Richard Breedon, ’77
- Kent State Advocacy Award - Robert Ross, ’70
- Kent State Advocacy Award - Michael John Gallagher II, ’19
- Outstanding New Professional Award - Gordon Stumpo, MA ’16
- Golden Flash Award - Tiarra Reddick, ’21
2020
- Distinguished Alumni Award - Judge Annalisa Stubbs Williams, ’77
- Distinguished Citizen Award - Nicholas E. Phillips, ’70
- Professional Achievement Award - Timothy F. Feltes, MD, ’77
- Professional Achievement Award - Terese Volk Tuohey, Ph.D. ’93
- Kent State Advocacy Award - Stephanie Sweany, ’05
- Outstanding New Professional Award - Justin Rudy Gleason, ’16, MBA ’18, M.Arch ’18
- Golden Flash Award - Kayla Marker, ’21, MPH ’22
2019
- Distinguished Alumni Award - Matthew Likens, ’75
- Distinguished Citizen Award - Judy Isaacson Elias, ’82
- Professional Achievement Award - Dr. David M. Jarzen, ’67, M.A. ’69
- Professional Achievement Award - Dr. Cheryl Thompson-Stacy, ’79, M.Ed. ’82, M/B.A. ’93
- Kent State Advocacy Award - Sandra E. Zirke, ’68, M.Ed. ’73, Ed.S. ’80
- Outstanding New Professional Award - Connor J. Whelan, ’16
- Golden Flash Award - Elena Neoh, ’20
2018
- Distinguished Alumni Award - John R. Elliot, ’70
- Distinguished Citizen Award - Carol A. Mancino, ’72 and Douglas M. Mancino, ’71
- Professional Achievement Award - Michael E. Rogers, Ph.D. ’96 and Ramesh Rajasingham, ’85, M.A. ’86
- Kent State Advocacy Award - Sandra C. Armstrong and Lawrence R. Armstrong, ’79, ’80
- Outstanding New Professional Award - Nick Belluardo, ’15
- Golden Flash Award - Chantrell M. Lewis, '19
2017
- Distinguished Citizen Award - Paul Beatty, ’87
- Distinguished Alumni Award - Dr. Jennie S. Hwang, M.S. ’71
- Professional Achievement Award - Gary O'Hara, ’74 and Richard Benz, ’73
- Kent State Advocacy Award - Elizabeth Bartz, ’80, M.A. ’82
- Outstanding New Professional Award - Dr. Anthony Limperos, ’04, M.A. ’06
- Golden Flash Award - Marisa Stephens, ’18
2016
- Distinguished Alumni Award - George Newkome, ’61, Ph.D. ’66
- Distinguished Citizen Award - Brooks Sumberg, ’72
- Professional Achievement Award - Karen Bankston, ’84, M.S.N. ’90 and John Visser, D.P.M. ’78
- Kent State Advocacy Award - Gary Brahler, ’89
- Outstanding New Professional Award - Damian Beauchamp, ’12
- Golden Flash Award - Jordan Provost, ’17
2015
- Distinguished Alumni Award - Timothy Hunsicker, ’92, ’93, M.Arch. ’94
- Distinguished Citizen Award - Abbie Morneault, ’12
- Professional Achievement Award - Earl Miller, ’85
- Kent State Advocacy Award - Larry, ’71, ’73, M.Ed. ’78 and Sandy, ’75 Disbro
- Outstanding New Professional Award - Morgan Shields, ’14
- Golden Flash Award - Douglas Defouw, JR., ’17
2014
- Distinguished Citizen Award - Andy Baskin, ’90
- Distinguished Alumni Award - Carter Strang, ’73, M.Ed. ’79
- Professional Achievement Award - Patricia Shehan Campbell, Ph.D. ’81
- Kent State Advocacy Award - John Garofalo, ’87, M.Ed. ’93
- Outstanding New Professional Award - Lauren Kotmel, ’11
- Golden Flash Award - Bitrus Audu, ’14