President John L. Crain, Julie Perise, left, and Alumni Association President Mayson Foster, right, presented Cari and Zac Caramonta as well as Billy Kennedy, former men’s basketball coach, with their respective awards on Friday, Oct. 21.
Regina Pergola/The Lion's Roar
Several alumni were honored at the Alumni Association’s Awards Evening. The ceremony was held on Friday, Oct. 21 in the Student Union Ballroom and presented the alumni with awards during the banquet held in their honor.
The Alumnus of the Year was Billy Kennedy, former basketball head coach and 1986 graduate. For the first time, two alumni were named Young Alumni of the Year. The two, Zac and Cari Caramonta, are married with a daughter and are owners of Gnarly Barley Brewing Co.
The attending crowd included members of the Alumni Association, the Homecoming Court and various alumni, including the award winners.
Wendy Lauderdale, Vice President of University Advancement, presented the scholarship recipients with their respective awards.
President John L. Crain presented the Loyal Lion Award to Mayson Foster.
Robby Turner was presented the Friendship Award and was given special recognition by his presenter, Daryl Ferrara, former president of the Alumni Association, for helping with the recent flood victims.
Andre Coudrain presented the Distinguished Alumni Awards. Rob Dugas, Chief Purchasing officer of Chick-Fil-A, was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences award went to Dr. Barbara Hebert. The Distinguished Alumni Award for the College of Business was given to Gino Marino, owner of local family-owned Italian restaurant, Gino’s. Louisiana representative of District 71, J. Rogers Pope, was given the College of Education Award. Lucas Watkins, President and Principal Environmental Scientist at ELOS Environmental, was given the College of Science and Technology’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
The L.E. Chandler Award was presented by Josie Mercante, former Alumni Association president, and was given to Dr. Amber Narro. Julie Perise, Interim Director of Alumni Association presented Pat Walsh with the Director’s Diamond Award and jewelry storeowner George Ibert with the Kathy L. Pittman Distinguished Service Award, which is named after a former alumni director.
Towards the end of the ceremony, Alumni Association President Mayson Foster presented the Young Alumni of the Year Award to Zac and Cari Caramonta.
Perise depicted how the Alumni Association recognized the various award winners.
“We’re so honored to have them back on Southeastern’s campus,” said Perise. “These people have done so much, and to have them to come back and be honored is just really a great feeling for us.”
The last recipient was the Alumnus of the Year, Kennedy who is currently Texas A&M’s men’s basketball head coach.
Kennedy acknowledged the award he received with wonder and nostalgia.
“When you think of Alumnus of the Year, you think of when you were here at college,” said Kennedy. “It was cool to be recognized.”
After Foster presented his award, Kennedy gave a speech. He entertained the audience with comedic and reminiscent stories of his time at the university.
“All of these little things were a big part of what we did here at Southeastern,” said Kennedy. “I’m here to thank so many people. I can tell you, God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. I’ve had so many people pour into my life. I will cherish this honor well. God bless you, and go Lions.”
Kennedy reflected positively on his time at the university and gave advice to the current students.
“You’re gonna be prepared here for anything in the world,” said Kennedy. “All you’ve got to do is believe it. Embrace the talents you’ve got, and things will work out for you.”
The Alumni Association hosted their Alumni Awards Evening in the Student Union Ballroom on Friday Oct. 21, in celebration of the honored alumni who returned for Homecoming Week.
Regina Pergola/The Lion's Roar