Alumni Achievement Awards
Nominations Now Open
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Alumni Achievement Awards! The 2024 awardees will be celebrated during Homecoming April 5-6, 2024 on the Denton campus. Learn about the awards and the 2023 recipients below.
Nominations must be entered by 11:59 p.m. CT on November 1, 2023 to be considered for the 2024 Alumni Achievement Awards.
More than 112,000 Texas Woman’s University alumni are making an impact state-wide, nationally and internationally. The Alumni Achievement Awards recognize and celebrate outstanding TWU graduates and friends of the university for their professional accomplishments, distinction in their careers, service to their communities and their loyalty and dedication to the institution.
2023 Alumni Achievement Awards Recipients
The Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership Distinguished Public Service Award: Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses ‘83
This award recognizes alumni with exceptional public service achievements.
The Honorable Alia Moses is chief U.S. judge of the Western District of Texas, which is one of the country’s largest, covering 93,000 square miles. Moses was appointed in 2002 by then-President George W. Bush, becoming the first woman to serve on a federal bench in the Western District. She was raised in the small farming community of Quemado, near the Texas-Mexico border. Prior to serving as a federal judge, she held positions as a federal magistrate, prosecutor and assistant county attorney. Moses received a bachelor’s in business administration from Texas Woman’s.
Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Award: Carol Ireton-Jones, PhD ‘82, ‘88
This award recognizes the exceptional careers of TWU alumni.
Dr. Carol Ireton-Jones is a nationally recognized nutrition therapy specialist. She earned her doctorate and master’s degrees in nutrition from Texas Woman’s and is well known for the Ireton-Jones Energy Equations, which are widely used nationally and internationally to predict energy expenditure in patients. She has received several awards, including the prestigious Medallion Award from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Texas Distinguished Dietitian Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dallas Dietetic Association. When she is not teaching, Dr. Ireton-Jones owns and operates Good Nutrition for Good Living, where she serves high-profile nutrition therapy clients like NPS and Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
Distinguished Alumni Award: Dianne Randolph ‘69, ‘71
This award recognizes alumni who have attained prominence in their professions or through their accomplishments within their industries, communities or through public service.
Dianne Randolph is an artist, educator and activist who earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Texas Woman’s. A classically trained soprano, she has performed throughout the world, exploring the rich styles of African American and European music traditions. Randolph has received many honors for singing, teaching and mentoring young artists. Now retired, Randolph serves on the Texas Woman’s Foundation Board and the university’s Quakertown Committee and was instrumental in founding the Texas Woman’s University Black Alumni Association.
Maroon and White Award: Empowering Women as Leaders, Dallas and Forth Worth Chapters
This award recognizes alumni and friends of the university who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in their personal or professional endeavors and have provided exceptional service to the university.
Empowering Women as Leaders (EWL) was formed in 2004 with the mission to support women in achieving their highest potential through scholarships, mentoring and networking. Since 2018, Joan Kuehl has served as board president of EWL. The organization provides support to non-traditional-age women students who have financial need and are beginning college for the first time or returning to college. EWL has been proud to partner with Texas Woman’s since 2004. The organization has awarded over $350,000 in scholarships to date and boasts a success rate of 95%.
Young Alumni Award: Tiana James ‘14
This award recognizes alumni under the age of 40 who have outstanding records of achievement in their professions, communities or through public service.
Tiana James is manager of PR & Partnerships for Victoria’s Secret PINK. She specializes in public relations (PR) strategy, influencer marketing and celebrity affiliations, and has earned personal accolades, including an honoree recognition for Ad Age 40 Under 40 and PRSA Dallas 40 Under 40. James has led initiatives and partnerships that are firsts for the PINK brand, such as TikTok sensation and first-ever size consultant Remi Bader. She also co-founded Amplifyed, a digital education course designed to mentor aspiring marketers. James graduated from Texas Woman’s with a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising.
Past Recipients
The Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership Distinguished Public Service Award
2023 Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses ‘83
Chancellor's Alumni Excellence Award
2023 Carol Ireton-Jones, PhD ‘82, ‘88
2019 Ann Nalley ’75
2018 Donna Schloss ’65
2017 Jay-lin Jane ’78
2016 Beverly Sgro ’63
2015 Kathleen Robinson ’70
2014 Holly Williams ’94
2013 Deneese Jones ’74
2013 Nancy Moody ’78
2012 Anngienetta Johnson ’71
2012 Maggie Richard ’85
2011 Pat Costner ’61, ’64
Distinguished Alumni Award
2023 Dianne Randolph ‘69, ‘71
2022 Lisa Fusillo, PhD, ’78, ’82
2022 Beverly Walker-Griffea, PhD, ’04
2021 Geraldine Haggard, EdD, ’49 ’52
2021 Carolyn M. Oddo ’81, ’88
2021 Maria Alicia Rodriguez Travelle, PhD, ’55, ’71, ’76
2019 Anne Alexandrov, PhD, ’02
2019 Yvonne Randall ’87
2018 Deborah Ann Brown ’79, ’86
2018 Vicki Tigert Davis, PhD, ’73
2017 Helen Benjamin, PhD, ’89, ’77
2017 Donna Alexander Israel, PhD ’82
2016 Therese Bartholomew Bevers, MD, ’81
2015 Lillie Mae Dukes Biggins ’81
2015 Linda C. Hilgenbrinck, PhD, ’01
2014 Betty Bohon Alford, PhD, ’54, ’56, ’65
2013 Carolyn “CAD” Dennehy, PhD, ’82, ’89
2012 Anne Gudmundsen, PhD, ’62
2012 Johnnie Roebuck, EdD, ’64
2012 Lillie Tucker-Akin ’58
2011 Billie J. Askew, PhD, ’82
2011 Gayle Ziaks Halperin ’87
2011 Bettye Myers, PhD, ’46, ’47
2010 Virginia Chandler Dykes ’53
2010 Karen P. DePauw, PhD, ’80
2010 Rosemary Luquire, PhD, ’97
2010 Claudine Sherrill, EdD, ’55
2009 Lola Chriss ’88
2009 Dana L. Gibson, PhD, ’81, ’84
2009 Elma Gonzalez, PhD, ’65
2008 Anita Cowan, PhD, ’62
2008 Darlene Kluka, PhD, ’85
2008 Sally Roden, EdD, ’60
2007 Carolyn Gunning, PhD, ’65
2007 Colleen Smith, PhD, ’97
2007 Norma Silva-Quinn ’74
2006 Barbara D. Nunneley ’75
2006 Dianne Baker ’75
2006 Elizabeth Ray Hall Burns, PhD, ’78
2006 Marie Chapman Martch ’65
2005 Margaret Beard, PhD, ’79
2005 Betty Ferrell, PhD, ’84
2005 Connie Sitterly, EdD, ’75, ’78
2004 Margaret Lowe Bogle, PhD, ’89
2004 Janie M. Hott Humphries, EdD, ’64
2004 Virginia “Ginger” Purdy ’48
2004 Glenda Brock Simmons, PhD, ’60
2003 Corina Gardea, PhD, ’75
2003 Cecilia May Moreno, EdD, ’68
2003 James H. Rimmer, PhD, ’82
2003 Mary Beth Foshee Scull ’47
2002 M. Diane Dwight ’76
2002 Alice Ludeman Spencer ’29
2002 Kaye Stripling, EdD, ’62
2002 Kathryn Yandell ’60
2001 Margaret Varner Bloss ’50
2001 Greta Joy Dicus ’61
2001 Elizabeth Ann Nalley, PhD, ’75
2001 Emily-Mae Stafford ’56
2000 Cornelia Marie Beck, PhD, ’78
2000 Gloria Vasquez Brown ’67
2000 Patricia E. Horridge, PhD, ’69
2000 Rosie M. Collins Sorrells, EdD, ’87
1999 Cheryl Blalock Aspy, PhD, ’71
1999 Rosanne Casey Keller ’59
1999 Beverly A. Mitchell-Brooks, PhD, ’70
1999 Anne Durrum Robinson ’36
1998 Laura V. Estrada ’70
1998 Major General Mary L. Saunders ’70
1998 Mary Ann “Windy” Windham Sitton ’71
1998 Charlotte “Toby” Anne Tate, PhD, ’69
1997 Geraldine “Polly” Parrott Bednash, PhD, ’65
1997 Ignatius Morgen Chiminya Chombo ’87
1997 Carol “Maggie” Snyder ’76
1997 Kathy Williams ’81
1996 Sandra Lynn Allmon Anderson ’70
1996 Janice Franklin, PhD, ’88
1996 Katherine “Kitty” Winter Magee ’34
1996 Marsha Pyle Martin ’59
1995 Rubye Jo Williams Jones, PhD, ’77
1995 Sheila Whitaker Kellagher ’81
1995 Mary Ann Odom ’59
1995 Beth C. Vaughan-Wrobel, EdD, ’65
1994 Mary Ann Baker ’80
1994 The Honorable Sylvia R. Garcia ’72
1994 Elizabeth Silverthorne ’61
1993 Carolyn Cody, PhD, ’75
1993 Kay Williams Goodman ’58
1993 Melinda Lou Kinkade McClanahan, PhD, ’71
1992 Susan A. Moucha ’85
1992 Kathryn Coffey Ragsdale ’63
1992 Veatrice A. Gipson Williams ’76
1991 Lois Jean Moore ’70
1991 Patricia Fine Swerda ’41
1991 Vi Marie Buster Taylor, PhD, ’51
1990 Dolores Gomez Barzune ’63
1990 Shirley Abbott Tomkievicz ’56
1990 Ann Ferrell Williams ’68
1989 The Honorable Maryellen Whitlock Hicks ’70
1989 Sook He Kim, PhD, ’62
1989 Louise Ritter ’82
1988 Laura Nell Gasaway ’67
1988 Barbara Luther Taylor ’52
1988 Mary Alexander Walker ’50
1987 Louise Kuehn Appleman ’62
1987 Cheryl Anne Holland Bridges ’68
1987 Lou Halsell Rodenberger, PhD, ’47
1986 Mickie Newbill Edwardson, PhD, ’50
1986 Jill Shugart, PhD ’72, ’80
1986 Beatrice “Bea” Paschall Stebbing ’38
1985 Sylvia “Sibby” Christensen ’57
1985 Lucyle Hook, PhD, ’22
1985 Millie Hughes-Fulford, PhD, ’72
1985 Mara Smith ’69
1984 Jerry A. Johnson, EdD, ’52
1984 Margaret Murrell ’47
1984 Barbara McFalane Staton ’52
1983 Ruth M. Bain, MD, ’40
1983 Dee Anne Dyke ’66
1983 Carolyn A. Williams, PhD, ’61
1982 Margarette Reeve Bolding ’45
1982 Vonette Zachary Bright ’48
1982 Jerline Kennedy ’39
1981 Johnie Christain, PhD, ’26
1981 Dymple C. Butler Cooksey, PhD, ’72
1981 Boots Cooper, MD, ’51
1981 The Honorable Anita Carraway Hill ’50
1981 Ann Badoloti Roznovsky ’58
1980 Agnes Thorton Bird, PhD, ’43
1980 Freida Loyce Carson, PhD, ’47
1980 LaVerne Collins Chatfield ’42
1980 Betty Green Heitman ’49
1980 Mary Martha Monroe Lappe ’60
1979 Constance Stanley Ashley ’66
1979 Laura Lane ’33
1979 Jo Ann Miller ’49
1979 Sue Titus Reid, PhD, ’60
1978 Gussie Nell Davis ’27
1978 Madelyn Pulver Jennings ’56
1978 Geraldine Segars Pool Marcus ’58
1978 Aline McKenzie Snyder ’28
1977 Elizabeth A. Crisp, MD, ’43
1977 Natha Howell ’29
1977 Sara Bernice Honea Moseley ’37
1976 Katherine Fewell Moore ’32
1976 Nell Morris ’27
1976 Patricia Tobin O’Connor, PhD, ’47, ’48
1975 Rae Ann Kaufman Fichtner, JD, ’50
1975 Jackie Matthews Greer ’29
1975 Mary Ellen Tisdale Hughes ’21
1974 Hazel Weber Brodersen ’43
1974 Mary Evelyn Blagg-Huey, PhD, ’42
1974 June Hyer ’42
1974 Ludie W. Clark Thompson ’10
1973 LaVerne Harrell Clark ’50
1973 Frances Matsler Gordon ’45
1973 Ola Lummus ’38
1972 Mary Alice Brown Ficklen ’43
1972 Oline E. Nicholson ’22
1971 Kate Adele Hill, PhD, ’25
1971 Lura Burton Kendrick ’31
1971 Aileene Simpson Lockhart, PhD, ’32
1970 Lottie Ray Caldwell ’36
1970 Frances Arnold Ellis ’37
1970 Mary Ellen Haggard, PhD, ’45
1970 Lucille Morgan Terry ’31
1970 Dorothy Hill Volk ’46
1969 Nelle C. Johnston ’42
1969 Lou Bullington Tower ’41
1969 Autrey Nell Wiley, PhD, ’22
1969 Opal Warren Yarborough ’24
Maroon and White Award
2023 Empowering Women as Leaders Dallas and Forth Worth Chapters
2022 Mickey Faust ’73
2022 Missina Minter ’93, ’96
2022 Mike Rydin
Young Alumni Award (Formerly Hallmark Alumni Award)
2023 Tiana James ‘14
2022 Tasha Moore Whitaker ’09
2022 Emily Ramser ’20
2021 Marisa De Leon ’17
2021 Faizan Kabani, PhD, ’11
2021 Aimee Piller, PhD, ’16
2021 Peace Ossum Williamson ’13
2019 Amiesha Brown ’95
2018 Lindsay Renfro, PhD, ’05
2017 Mandy Goff ’08
2016 Francine Anderson Wright, PhD, ’99
2015 Anne Utech, PhD, ’05, ’12
2014 Jennifer Lee Cranfill ’09
2013 Carolyn Caldwell ’97
2013 Jessica Setnick ’97
Page last updated 3:03 PM, September 26, 2023