2021 Edie Bates Volunteer Service Award Winner - Lana Burton M’79

Lana Burton has a rich history of volunteerism at the University of Evansville and in the Evansville community. She retired as the principal of Harper Elementary after 40 years of educating, empowering, and enhancing young minds and their families. She’s been a member of the UE Alumni Board of Directors and held leadership positions in the University of Evansville African American Alumni Association (UEAAA).She is also the current president of the Evansville African American Museum, a teacher and youth leader at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, and a founding organizer of Read Evansville.

Read Evansville began when Burton and fellow educator Patricia Weinzapfel discovered an unmet need within the city. Their goal is simple… to get books in the hands of EVSC students in the summer to keep them reading and learning. During the summer of 2020, Read Evansville partnered with Feed Evansville and other local organizations to pass out 1,000 books per week.

Burton was awarded the YMCA 100 Women Stepping Up Award in 2011 and was inducted into the EVSC Hall of Fame in 2020.

2021 Distinguished Alumnus Award - Dr. Robert Lodato ’70

Dr. Robert Lodato studied electrical engineering at the University of Evansville and competed at the collegiate level on the Swimming and Diving team. After graduation, he went on to earn his MS from University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in 1971, and his MD and PhD from Johns Hopkins University. After his internship and residency in internal medicine at Indiana University, he returned to Johns Hopkins for his fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine.

Lodato is a professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas. For several years, Best Doctors in America has included him in the list of the country’s most outstanding physicians. His teaching ability has been recognized both locally and abroad. He has received the Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award at the University of Texas and has been invited to give lectures and do bedside teaching rounds at a number of institutions throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. In 2019, he received an award from the Chinese consulate for his work in pulmonary medicine in China.

His primary research interests are sepsis and acute respiratory failure. His lab was the first to show that nitric oxide is a major mediator of the vasorelaxation and hypotension of septic shock. This finding led to a patent for him and his colleagues. His published work on the “waterfall model” of the lung has provided novel insight into the pathophysiology of severe obstructive lung disease. Dr. Lodato’s research has also extended to collaborations with NASA on the effects of space flight on the circulation and included the studies of Astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn for his “Return to Space” Mission in 1998.

He was inducted into the UE Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977 for Men’s Swim & Dive.

2021 Distinguished Young Alumna Award - Alissa (Fricke) Paik ’12

Growing up in a small town close to Evansville, Alissa (Fricke) Paik imagined moving away to a bigger city. After graduating from the University of Evansville with a BS in communication; however, she received a unique job opportunity that she could not pass up. Her experiential and hands-on learning allowed her to jump into her role as business development manager at Weaver, Dalton & Associates in Henderson, Kentucky.

While attending UE, Alissa was a member of the Acettes and the International Club. She was an admission ambassador, held a leadership role on the Student Activities Board, and studied abroad at Harlaxton College.

In 2014, at only 25 years old, Paik took another big step and opened her own business, Thrive Marketing Strategies in Downtown Evansville. Thrive provides full-service marketing consulting and advertising for small- to medium-sized businesses and nonprofit organizations. She’s been awarded the Young Business Leader of the Year from UE in 2015 and was in the 2020 class of Evansville Rotary’s 20 under 40 Leaders.

Paik is actively involved with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Ohio Valley and is the president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association. She’s also an adjunct professor at UE, teaching advertising and promotion strategy. She lives in downtown Evansville with her husband Young Paik, a facial and reconstructive plastic surgeon.

2021 Samuel Orr Honorary Alumni Award Winners - Drs. Charles and Patricia Robertson

Dr. Charles Robertson Sr. was a professor of biology from 1950 to 1972. With so much time on campus as a youth, Robertson decided to move away for a new college experience and earned his BS in physics from Rhodes College in 1965. He later earned his PhD from Florida State University. He was employed by DuPont for 29 years before founding NanoDrop Technologies, a manufacturer of micro-volume ultraviolet visible instrumentation.

Dr. Patricia Robertson graduated from Millersville University in 1966 with a BS in education and earned her master’s in marine biology in 1972 from the University of Delaware. She was also a founder and managing partner in NanoDrop Technologies.

The Robertsons sold NanoDrop Technologies in 2007 to Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Even though they live in Pennsylvania, they have stayed connected to UE and Evansville. In 2009, they gifted a Habitat for Humanity home in Evansville in memory of Charles’s mother. They’ve also supported the UE Biology and Chemistry departments for many years by sponsoring student internships, awarding the Charles and Patricia Robertson Jr. Senior Biology Award each spring, and establishing the Dr. Charles and Lola Robertson Sr. Endowment for Biology Research, which resulted in naming the research center after Charles.

2019 Distinguished Alumni Award – Lloyd Winnecke '82

As mayor of Evansville since 2012, Lloyd Winnecke has led tremendous change in the Evansville community. His leadership has seen the completion of large scale, transformative projects such as the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in downtown Evansville, which connects to the Ford Center and the Old National Events Plaza by skybridge. He also was instrumental in the city building the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences, a collaborative partnership bringing together University of Evansville, Indiana University School of Medicine, and University of Southern Indiana in training a next generation of health professionals.

Winnecke has led a great number of other initiatives, including attaining Regional City status, negotiating an extended lease agreement to keep LST 325, the historic warship, in Evansville for an additional 10 years, and championing the efforts of UE's Changemaker Challenge as a panel judge.

Winnecke has devoted his time, energy, and passion to promoting positive progress in the City of Evansville.

2019 Distinguished Alumni Award - Posthumous – William Bell ’49

William Bell was a longtime educator in the Evansville Public School system. Due to the nature of racist policies that existed in the United States, segregated schools existed and Bell became an educator teaching primarily black students during his tenure. He was a long-time instructor at Lincoln High School in Evansville where primarily black students attended for years. Although doors were closed to him in the areas of music and education, he continued to dedicate his career to educating Lincoln High students to achieve all they could in life and to build themselves a path to success.

As an Evansville College student in the 1940s, Bell became a campus leader and was involved in Evansville College organizations. As a black student he led the all-white Glee Club, and he was one of the first black students to achieve campus notoriety based on his educational performance in the classroom. His achievements under trying social circumstances speak to the excellence of his character and dedication to his alma mater.

2019 Distinguished Young Alumni Awards – Amelia McClain ’03 and Wes Grantom ’03

After a year-long run as Sandra in Broadway’s smash-hit production of The Play That Goes Wrong, Amelia McClain returned to UE as a guest artist in residence for the 2018-19 academic year, teaching acting and audition techniques. An accomplished actor, she has worked on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in regional theatres across the country.

Together with fellow UE Theatre alumni, McClain started the UE Theatre Alumni Mentor Project, which seeks to formally connect young UE Theatre alumni with other UET alums in the same city or area of professional interest. She has joined the UE Theatre faculty in 2019-20 as assistant professor of acting.

Wes Grantom’s professional credits include the world premiere of Civics and Humanities for Non- Majors, The Lion in Winter, and A Comedy of Tenors at Pioneer Theatre Company; Eager to Lose, by Matthew-Lee Erlbach, at Ars Nova; The Steadfast, by Mat Smart ’01, and Mine, by Bekah Brunstetter, for Slant Theatre Project. He has a number of Broadway credits as resident and associate director and is a recipient of multiple Drama League Fellowships, a member of Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, and the artistic director of Crowded Outlet based in Queens, New York. Grantom served as a guest artist for UE Theatre in the 2018-19 season and directed Spring Awakening. He also directed Once in a Lifetime for UE Theatre in 2012 and returned to UE in 2019-20 as resident director.

Grantom has worked with and hired countless alumni whose graduation years span decades.

2019 Edie Bates Volunteer Service Award – Brad Coomer '93

Brad Coomer is an avid volunteer for the University of Evansville. He has served as champion for the Indianapolis UE Alumni Network, an alumni mentor for UE students as part of the UE Connect Program, a member of the Hyde Hall Fundraising Committee, a seven-year member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and former president, and is currently serving as an alumni-elected member of the Board of Trustees. Coomer is also a leader in UE philanthropy. Through his generous support of the True and Loyal Fund, he is a current member of the University's President's Club and was a lead donor for the Hyde Hall Renovation project.

Coomer is actively involved in the Indianapolis community through volunteerism with Junior Achievement, the Dance Kaleidoscope, Chatham Arch Neighborhood Foundation, Lambda Chi Alpha, Sertoma, and more.

Coomer's established career has taken him from his first job at Babcok & Wilcox in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, to One-America in Indianapolis, and now to John Hancock where he currently serves as Vice President, Strategic Relationship Management.

2019 Samuel Orr Honorary Alumni Award – Bob Bowen

Since 1967, Robert L. Bowen, PhD, has distinguished himself in the construction industry as the founder and chair of Indianapolis-based Bowen Engineering Corporation.

Bob attended Purdue University, receiving his bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1962.

Bob's generosity has impacted scores of engineering students and graduates at the University of Evansville. Bowen Engineering has hired numerous civil engineering and mechanical engineering students as summer interns, giving these students the opportunity to work on exciting state-of-the-art construction projects such as the IPL Petersburg station and the Duke Energy Gibson station.

Bob established the Bowen Engineering Corporation Endowed Dean's Discretionary Fund at UE in 2005. Funds have been used to support a variety of student projects, including the ASCE Concrete Canoe Team and many others.

In 2011, Bob received an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from UE and recently joined the Board of Trustees as an Honorary Member.

2019 Samuel Orr Honorary Alumni Award - Posthumous – Angela Williams

Angela Williams was a mother, author, and mentor, and the University of Evansville is proud to have had her as an employee from 2007-2017. She worked in the Office of Alumni and Engagement during her 10 years at UE, most recently serving as assistant director of alumni and parent relations at the time of her unexpected passing in February 2017 at the age of 57. Prior to her time at UE, Angela earned her Bachelor of Science degree in operations management from LaSalle University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh with concentrations in finance and marketing. As assistant director, Angela was instrumental in the creation of the UE African American Alumni Association, developing a photographic presentation of the history of black students at UE, a chronological list of African American student achievements, and the UEAAA alumni awards.

Angela's dedication to service to UE through a variety of activities and actions displayed continued support for the University, students, parents, and alumni.

2018 Distinguished Alumni Award – Jennifer (Betz) '79 & David '78 Pollock

David and. Jennifer Pollock are award winning scientists, medical researchers and endowed chairs at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB). In the midst of incredibly demanding careers, they have found a way to give back to UE and impact current UE students and young alumni. They have provided over 20 UE undergraduate students opportunities to explore biomedical research through summer internships and full-time employment.

Both Pollocks are Professors of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine at the University of Alabama Birmingham, and together they direct the Cardio-Renal Physiology and Medicine section. Jennifer also serves as the Associate Director of the Center for Free Radical Biology. She earned a BS in biology with a minor in chemistry from UE, MS in chemistry from the University of Cincinnati and PhD from the department of chemistry, biological division of the University of North Carolina. David Pollock also majored in biology while at UE. He went on to earn his PhD in Physiology from the University of Cincinnati.

2018 Young Alumna Award – Angela (Easterday) Stocklin '00

Angie Stocklin studied psychology at UE, earned a masters from Indiana State University in School Psychology and worked as a school counselor in area high schools before founding a very successful business. She and her husband, Randy, started One Click - an online eyewear business, from their home office. The Stocklins' commitment to One Click, its core values and customers has resulted in a number of awards, including TechPoint's MIRA Award for Excellence in New Media, Indiana Companies to Watch, and Indianapolis Business Journal's list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Indiana. Angie volunteers her time at UE; having served as an alumni mentor for the UE Connect Program and currently as a director on the Harlaxton Society Board.

2018 Edie Bates Volunteer Service Award – Richard Werking '66

Richard, Library Director and Professor of History, Emeritus, U.S. Naval Academy, has been a tireless supporter and volunteer on behalf of UE for many years. He helped lead the efforts to establish three funds honoring his former professors at Evansville College: Dr Thomas C. Fiddick, Dr. Orville Jaebker, and Dr. Arthur B. Aarstad. In 2003 he gave the inaugural lecture in the Thomas C. Fiddick Lecture Series, entitled "Vessels and Voyagers: Some Thoughts about Reading and Writing, Books and Libraries." He also established a scholarship at UE in memory of his parents, both of whom were EC faculty members. Under his leadership and due to his tireless efforts, the class of 1966 had one of the most successful reunions in recent UE history both in terms of attendance and funds raised toward a class gift. Being true to his nature as a librarian and historian, Richard spearheaded the efforts to have decades' worth of LinCs and Crescents digitized and made available to all alumni through UE's web site.

2018 Samuel Orr Honorary Alumni – Sharon and Tom Kazee

The Kazees have faithfully served the University of Evansville since June 2010 when Tom became our 23rd president. Under President Kazee's leadership, UE implemented a facilities master plan, including new student townhouses and renovations of key academic buildings including the University library. UE also added important new academic programs, including a Master of Physician Assistant Science program that will be located in the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences in downtown Evansville. Also during Dr. Kazee's tenure, UE enriched and expanded the Center for Career Development.

Sharon earned her PhD in educational administration from the University of South Carolina and was the dean and vice president for arts and academics at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities before coming to UE. Sharon continues to be an advocate for the arts and education through her community involvement with Signature School, Evansville Philharmonic, and Evansville Public Art Commission among others. She is an energetic member of the campus community serving on the Art Collection Committee, Theatre Society Board, and Executive Committee of the President's Club.

2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award – Paul Jones ‘71

A 1971 industrial engineering graduate, Paul Jones went on to a successful career in engineering and business. He is the retired Chairman and CEO of A.O. Smith Corporation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, having served on A.O. Smith’s board since 2004. Prior to that, he was chairman and chief executive officer of U.S. Can Company, Inc. and president and chief executive officer of Greenfield Industries, Inc.

Paul joined UE’s board of trustees in 2010, and became active immediately. He now chairs the International Engagement committee. He was instrumental in creating partnerships between UE and A.O. Smith which benefited business and engineering students and has also worked toward recruiting students from A.O. Smith’s production facility in China to attend UE.

Paul and his wife, Pat, made the lead gifts to the recently completed library renovation project and the Hyde Hall project. They also gave $1 million to the new engineering equipment fund and support UE athletics.

Play Paul Jones Acceptance Video

2017 Samuel Orr Honorary Alumna – Carol Dallinger, professor of music

Carol Dallinger has served on the music faculty at UE since 1972 and is the founder and coordinator of UE’s Suzuki Violin program. She has been recognized for her contributions to teaching with the UE Alumni Association’s Outstanding Teacher Award in 1995 and the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s award in 2000. Her dedication to and support of UE is commendable, and her influence has been felt by generations of string students from Suzuki students to UE students to alumni.

2017 Edie Bates Volunteer Service Award – Don ’68 and Martha Fischer

Martha Fischer retired from UE in 2012; she had worked as the insurance specialist in the human resources office for many years. Since then she and her husband Don, a 1968 UE graduate, have been full-time volunteers for UE. Working together they serve the athletics department coordinating all insurance claims. Their countless hours of volunteer service and expertise in health care administration enable the athletic training and administrative staffs to focus on other tasks related to our student athletes. Don and Martha also coordinate the monthly meetings of UE’s emeriti faculty. They are two shining examples of truly dedicated volunteers for UE.

2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Joyce Germaine Bowles ’64, PhD, RN

Dr. Joyce Bowles ’64, a nursing major while at Evansville College, has more than 35 years of executive management expertise in program planning, development, and evaluation in higher education; and clinical experiences in psychiatric nursing. She is a retired US Army Colonel, starting her service as an Army nurse during the Vietnam conflict. Dr. Bowles has more than 25 years of experience in higher education and served as dean of the school of professional studies and chair of the department of nursing at Bowie State University. She has been an active participant on local, national and international forums addressing issues that impact educational programs, policy development and community services.

2016 Edie Bates Volunteer Service Award
David T. Bertorello ’89 (posthumously)

The UE Alumni Family lost one its strongest and most vocal members September 24, 2015. Dave Bertorello truly served the spirit of UE. He was a champion for alumni and current students serving on the UE Alumni Association Board of Directors, leading the Indianapolis Alumni Network and volunteering countless hours to Sigma Phi Epsilon. He was recognized by UE in 2005 with the Young Alumnus Award and by Sig Ep National as a distinguished alumnus. In addition to running his own business, Dave volunteered for numerous organizations including Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership and Indiana Donor Network. Dave gave so much for others while facing personal health challenges; he was the recipient of a double lung transplant at the age of 34.

2016 Samuel Orr Honorary Alumnus Award
John C. Barner

Since joining the UE staff as vice president of development in 2002, Jack Barner has had an unprecedented impact on the University. Jack’s tireless efforts during the U Envision 2010 campaign raised over $80 million over a four year period. He was instrumental in raising funds for Harlaxton Manor, the Ridgway University Center, Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building and the recent library renovation and green house construction. Since retiring as vice-president in May 2015, he continues to promote UE serving as the planned giving officer.

2015 Distinguished Alumnus Award

After graduating from UE’s theatre department, Carrie Preston ‘89 earned her MFA in from The Juilliard School. Carrie’s breakout was her Outer Critics Award nominated turn as Miranda in the Broadway production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest with Patrick Stewart. She’s gone on to act, direct and produce for the stage, screen and television. She currently plays Arlene Fowler on HBO’s True Blood and has the recurring role of Elsbeth Tascioni on CBS’s The Good Wife, for which she won the 2013 Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. For her production company, Daisy 3 Pictures, Carrie directed the feature film, That’s What She Said, which premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival as one of 27 feature films chosen out of 4000 submissions. Carrie serves on the Board of Directors for the New Harmony Project and stays connected to UE Theatre. She has hosted the west coast gathering of UE Theatre alumni on numerous occasions.

2015 Young Alumnus Award

Brian Revalee ’03 M’09 has done much to help others in the time since he completed his first degree from UE. For seven years, Brian served as the regional HIV/AIDS spokesperson for a number of statewide organizations, and advocated for fair and affordable housing for those living with HIV across the state. Throughout his tenure as Executive Director at the AIDS Resource Group, ARG received one local award in 2007 for Best Social Service Agency and received the top award in the state for an AIDS service organization in 2012 from the Indiana Minority AIDS Council. ARG was the top HIV Care Site in the State of Indiana for five years in a row under Brian’s leadership. During this time he also earned an advanced degree from UE and started a family. In 2010 Brian and his partner became licensed foster parents and to three young children (a sibling group) and officially adopted them 11 months later. In 2013 Brian and his family moved to southwest Ohio where Brian is now the Executive Director of the United Way of Oxford, Ohio and Vicinity and a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson.

2015 Edie Bates Volunteer Service Award

Robert ’66 and Judy ’66 Wargel shared many life defining moments at Evansville College. Both graduated with chemistry majors and went on to have very successful careers in the Chicago area. Bob pursued his PhD in chemistry at Northwestern University and then worked for Kraft Foods as a research scientist. Judy joined Abbott Laboratories as an information scientist, a medical writer and eventually worked for TAP Pharmaceuticals, a joint venture between Abbott and the Japanese company Takeda. They were able to retire early and become super volunteers. UE is fortunate that they moved back to Evansville in 2002 and have dedicated a significant portion of their volunteer time to the University. They both serve on the Science Advisory Council and are very involved with the Chemistry department – helping with student summer internships, equipment and endowment funding.

2015 Samuel Orr Honorary Alumna Award

Dr. Jean Beckman came to the University of Evansville in 1978 and since she has selflessly served both the Department of Chemistry and the University. Dr. Beckman served for six and a half years as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and one year as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs. She was a member of two presidential search committees and contributed to the self-studies for a Higher Learning Commission and an NCAA accreditation. Impressively, Dr. Beckman has not only served the University for over thirty years but she has also exhibited tremendous generosity in establishing the Beckman Endowed Research Fellowship Fund which provides funds for undergraduate research.

2014 Distinguished Alumnus Award

UE’s longest tenured and one of the most decorated faculty members is one of our own. John David Lutz ‘64 has served UE for almost 50 years as a professor and 30 years as chair of the UE Theatre department. Under his leadership UET has risen to national prominence; earning the right to perform at the National American College Theatre Festival in the Kennedy Center on nine occasions. Six of those productions were directed by him. Personally he has been recognized as a Gold Medallion Award recipient for his involvement with the Kennedy Center and American College Theatre Festival (1984), State of Indiana’s Governor’s Arts Award and Art Educator of the Year for 1995, 2005 Southwest Indiana Arts Council Mayor’s Art Award, and 2007 invested into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre at the Kennedy Center. His service to UE has earned him the University’s medal of honor.

2014 Young Alumnus Award

Jamey Carroll ‘96 is a great athlete and better yet a great person. He has achieved professional success in the highly competitive sport of professional baseball, not just due to his athletic abilities but also his strength of character and hard work. Drafted into MLB after graduation, he has had a long career in baseball. He has won the “Heart and Hustle” Award twice in his career; in 2006 from the Colorado Rockies and in 2011 from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although his work has taken him far away, he has not forgotten his home and UE. He is supportive of UE’s baseball program and UE in general. His help also extends to others. He formed the Jamey Carroll T.W.O. (Together We’ll Overcome) Foundation for at-risk children. He is a great role model to numerous young children and athletes and a fine representative of the University of Evansville.

2014 Samuel Orr Honorary Alumna Award

One of the University of Evansville’s strongest supporters and most faithful volunteer is not a graduate of UE. Patricia Bateman has served UE for numerous years and in many capacities including the President’s Club Executive Committee Chair and Board of Visitors membership. She is a hometown girl who loves to see her community university thrive. She is very interested in leadership opportunities for UE women to learn and stay in the tri-state region. Pat earned her degree from Butler University and currently serves as the chief development officer for the Girl Scouts of Southwestern Indiana. She strongly supports her community and has served as president of the Evansville Museum Guild and of the Evansville Philharmonic Guild Board.

2013 Distinguished Alumnus Award

On November 28th, 2012, the University of Evansville as well as the Evansville community as a whole lost a great servant. Marjorie Soyugenc M’73 was a devoted supporter of UE, serving on the Board of Trustees since 1995, as well as many local organizations and groups. Her service to the university and her career with Welborn Baptist Foundation and Welborn Baptist Hospital have left a lasting mark upon the Evansville community; as such her posthumous recognition via this award is very much well-deserved.

2013 Young Alumnus Award

Since graduating from the University of Evansville in 1995, George Day has continually shown his commitment to the University. George has held leadership positions in the UE community including co-chair of the Harlaxton Society Board of Directors, treasurer of Sigma Phi Epsilon housing corporation, and treasurer and Adopt-a-Student Parent for the UE Theater Society Board. He has continually advanced in his career at Old National Bank and is currently Senior Vice President, Corporate Lending Executive.

2013 Edie Bates Volunteer Service Award

Steve and Kathie Bugg have contributed to the professional world of Evansville for numerous years and have served their community to the upmost. Both Steve and Kathie have been members of several groups and organizations across the local community, including Historic Newburgh Inc., the Reitz Home, and Mesker Park. In addition to their community service, the Buggs passionately support UE by serving on a number of boards including the Harlaxton Society, the Neu Chapel Society, the Purple Aces Club, Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Men’s Basketball Blue Ribbon Committee.

2013 Samuel Orr Honorary Alumna Award

Despite not having graduated from the University of Evansville, Patricia A. Kishline is very much a friend of the university. Throughout the years, Patti Kishline has dedicated herself to UE through various mediums. She is an ardent supporter of the UE Theatre Society, the UE President’s Club, and the UE Sponsor-a-Student Program. She has also been passionately involved with the Neu Chapel Society Board of Directors. Her dedication to UE is only equaled by her career as a professional and her support of her community. Patti is retired from Bristol Myers Squibb as manager of nursing education.

2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award

Dr. R. Edward Coleman '65, worked as a Professor of Radiology as well as Vice-Chair Department of Radiology at Duke University Medical Center. His medical passions lied with PET imaging and its use and evaluation of patients with cancer and dementia, and he was credited as the first physician to demonstrate the potential clinical utility of PET imaging. After graduating from UE, Dr. Coleman remained a committed, dedicated UE alumnus. He was an active member of the University's Alumni Association Board of Directors, serving from 1988-1994, and a President's Club member beginning in 2009, sponsored an endowed scholarship and was the 2009 homecoming speaker. The University community is grateful for his service and commitment to both the University of Evansville and the field of medicine. Dr. Coleman passed away after a battle with cancer on June 25, 2012.

2012 Young Alumnus Award

Since graduating from UE, Dr. Craig Bryan '01 has given his time and talent to establish programs to reduce suicidal behaviors among pre-deployment and active duty soldiers. Recently assuming the new role of associate director of the National Center for Veterans Studies, he has also worked as a consultant for the United States Air Force, Marine Corps, and Army. In addition to his demanding career and service to his local community, Dr. Bryan has volunteered at UE both as a mentor and a LEAGUE recruiter. He represents the quality education UE can provide as well as the core values and spirit of service that are products of embracing the Evansville experience.

2012 Samuel Orr Honorary Alumni Award

Although they're graduates of Vanderbilt and Indiana University, Richard and Patrice Schroeder have been long-time friends of the University. Richard and Patrice are currently actively involved with the university as members of the UE Sponsor-A-Student Program and long-time members of the President's Club. Richard is a charter member of the Schroeder School of Business Advisory Board and is currently serving as chair. The Schroeder family supports UE as if it were their own university.