ABOUT THE ALUMNI AWARDS
Rising Alumni Award
2024 Awardee: Anthony McMullin
These awardees, who have graduated from or attended the University within the last 20 years, are recognized for excelling in their careers or by serving their communities in a meaningful way. They are leaders, innovators, and influencers who are not afraid to blaze new trails in an effort to make a lasting difference for others.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
2024 Awardee: Brandon & Becky Staples
These award recipients provide leadership or service within Trailblazer Nation through their career, service, or volunteer efforts. Fully engaged in their experience as students, they’ve continued to stay involved with the University and preserve traditions well past graduation. These awardees consistently elevate their community by lending their knowledge, initiative, and individuality.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
2024 Awardee: The Wittwer Family
These award recipients emulate the valuable qualities of the pioneers who settled here initially including selflessness, tenacity, contagious optimism, loyalty, grit, teamwork, comradery, and goodwill. They enrich the lives of students, alumni, and the community by contributing to the overall sense of belonging found on campus and beyond. This award honors alumni who have continued to provide long-lasting support or involvement to the University, carrying on the legacy of the Trailblazers who founded the institution in 1911.
PAST AWARDEES
2024 Awardees
Rising Alumni Award
Anthony McMullin
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Distinguished Alumni Award
Brandon & Becky Staples
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Lifetime Achievement Award
The Wittwer Family (Royden, Anthony, Melvin, & Sheldon Wittwer)
2023 Awardees
Rising Alumni Award
Jill Wulfenstein Derhak
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Distinguished Alumni Award
Colby Neilson
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Lifetime Achievement Award
Steve & Toni Caplin
2022 Awardees
Community Award
Shauna Ottesen
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A. Delmont Truman Dixie Spirit Award
LaRee Jones
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Roene B. DiFiore Program Bureau Award
Hilda Cox Empey
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The Rebel Award
Kenny Miller
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Outstanding Trailblazer Award
Stephanie Sparks
2020/21 Awardees
Community Award
Kenny Neilson
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A. Delmont Truman Dixie Spirit Award
Margaret Truman Marshall
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Roene B. DiFiore Program Bureau Award
Merilee Webb
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The Rebel Award
Dave Rose
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Outstanding Trailblazer Award
Steve Cook
2019 Awardees
Community Award
Daniel McArthur
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Dixie Spirit Award
Elna Rae Page
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Roene B. DiFiore (Ms. D) Award
Susan Memmott Allred
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The Rebel Award
Buck Wilkinson
2018 Awardees
Community Award
Penny Barben
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Dixie Spirit Award
Diane Hafen
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Roene B. DiFiore (Ms. D) Award
June Stewart Jeffery
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The Rebel Award
Clark McMullin
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Distinguished Alumni Award
Dennis Udy
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Distinguished Faculty/Staff Award
Linda Lou Bills
2017 Awardees
COMMUNITY AWARD
Marcia Wade & Dorothy Orton
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DIXIE SPIRIT AWARD
Deven MacDonald
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ROENE B. DIFIORE (MS. D) AWARD
Ernie Doose
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THE REBEL AWARD
Roger Nuttall
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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Brent E. Snow
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DISTINGUISHED FACULTY/STAFF AWARD
Dr. Robert Prince
2016 Awardees
Presented at The Evening of Dixie
COMMUNITY AWARD
Kevin Ence
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DIXIE SPIRIT AWARD
Ron & Nora Axton
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ROENE B. DIFIORE (MS. D) AWARD
Mace Jacobson
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THE REBEL AWARD
Max Gregory Crowshaw
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Presented at the Alumni Banquet
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS
Phil E. & Ruth Hafen Squire
Diane Hafen
2015 Awardees
COMMUNITY AWARD
Jennings Family
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DIXIE SPIRIT AWARD
Ken & Sherril Newby
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ROENE B. DIFIORE (MS. D) AWARD
Andrea Barlow Rounds
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THE REBEL AWARD
Jerry Anderson
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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
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DISTINGUISHED FACULTY/STAFF AWARD
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2014 Awardees
COMMUNITY AWARD
Randy Wilkinson
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DIXIE SPIRIT AWARD
Dr. Ron & Susan Garner
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ROENE B. DIFIORE (MS. D) AWARD
John Blake
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THE REBEL AWARD
Ken Jolley
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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
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DISTINGUISHED FACULTY/STAFF AWARD
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2013 Awardees
EVENING OF DIXIE AWARDEES
Ted Johnson
Bonnie Moore
Ray & Dorothy Orton
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DISTINGUISHED FACULTY/STAFF AWARD
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2012 Awardees
COMMUNITY AWARD
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DIXIE SPIRIT AWARD
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ROENE B. DIFIORE (MS. D) AWARD
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THE REBEL AWARD
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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
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DISTINGUISHED FACULTY/STAFF AWARD
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2011 Awardees
COMMUNITY AWARD
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DIXIE SPIRIT AWARD
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ROENE B. DIFIORE (MS. D) AWARD
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THE REBEL AWARD
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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
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DISTINGUISHED FACULTY/STAFF AWARD
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2010 Awardees
COMMUNITY AWARD
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DIXIE SPIRIT AWARD
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ROENE B. DIFIORE (MS. D) AWARD
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THE REBEL AWARD
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Presented at the Alumni Banquet
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS
Spence & Olive Esplin
Sharon & the late Dr. Jay Blake