Story: Lisa Sollie | Photos: Cody Ingram
The University of West Alabama and the National Alumni Association recognized the accomplishments of 12 outstanding alumni at its annual awards ceremony, held Jan. 30 in the Bell Conference Center on UWA’s campus, in conjunction with the Society of the Golden Key Induction Ceremony.
In 1994, the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Awards were established to recognize graduates from each college or division who have distinguished themselves in a manner that reflects honor on the University and the National Alumni Association. In 2012, the Emerging Leader Awards were introduced to recognize individuals having graduated within the past 10 years who demonstrate exceptional promise for success and leadership.
The following individuals were honored at the National Alumni Association Alumni Achievement Awards:
College of Business
Veronica Triplett of Cottondale, Alabama, received the college’s Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. A three-time alumna of UWA (2007, 2009, and 2013), Triplett is an associate professor at UWA and department chair of Business Administration, Management and Marketing.
Erika Buckley of Laurel, Mississippi, received the college’s Emerging Leader Award. A 2017 alumna, Buckley is a manager in Mergers and Acquisitions at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education
Benjamin “Shawn” McDaniel of Gordo, Alabama, received the college’s Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. A 2011 and 2013 alumnus, McDaniel is the Superintendent of Education for the Pickens County School District.
Kristin Phillips of Camden, Alabama, received the Emerging Leader Award. A three-time alumna (2018, 2022, 2023), Phillips is a behavior interventionist at Westside Elementary School in Demopolis, Alabama.
Division of Engineering Technology
William Webb Lavender of Aliceville, Alabama, received the division’s Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award recipient for 2024-2025. A 2010 graduate, Lavender is an owner and secretary/treasurer of Lavender, Inc.
Micah Turner of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, received the division’s Emerging Leader Award. A 2020 alumna, Turner is the environmental health and safety regulatory coordinator at the University of Alabama.
College of Liberal Arts
Craig Warlick of Lubbock, Texas, received the college’s Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. Warlick, a 2010 and 2012 graduate of UWA, is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Texas Tech University.
Nic Noland of Chicago, Illinois, received the college’s Emerging Leader Award. A 2021 alumnus, Noland is currently a senior account manager with Armakuni.
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Archie Hooper IV of Livingston, Alabama, received the college’s Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. Hooper, a 1999 and 2000 alumnus of UWA, is a part-owner of Medcenter Demopolis and serves as medical director for Sumter Health and Rehab, as well as Aveana Hospice & Home Healthcare.
Blake Cleckler of Millbrook, Alabama, received the college’s Emerging Leader Award. A 2013 and 2016 alumnus, Cleckler is a senior microbiologist with the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Ira. D Pruitt College of Nursing
Destynni Burrell of Desoto, Texas, received the college’s Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. A 2012 graduate of UWA, Burrell is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at the Dallas Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Laura Turchiano of Birmingham, Alabama, received the college’s Emerging Leader Award. Turchiano, a 2020 alumna, is an ECMO specialist with Children’s of Alabama.
