Distinguished Alumni
Honoring our Most Distinguished Racer Alumni
Since 1962, the Distinguished Alumni Award has been presented to 51ĀŅĀ× State alumni who have made meaningful contributions to their professions on a local, state and national level. It is the highest honor an alum can earn from the 51ĀŅĀ× State University Alumni Association and recognizes those who have excelled both professionally and personally. The Distinguished Alumni honorees for 2025 are: John "Bosco" Bostick ('72), Summer T-Oni Carney ('04), Tripp Gibson ('05), Kathy Harris (ā80), Kelli Burkeen Parsons (ā90, ā91) and Dale Wilson (ā70). The 2025 Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient is Jonathan Andrew Lemmon (ā08).
The 2025 recipients were honored during the annual Distinguished Alumni dinner and banquet in the CFSB Center 51ĀŅĀ× Room in April.
The Class of 2025
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John āBoscoā Bostick
1972
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Retired Pilot, USAF Thunderbirds
Test Pilot, USAF and Sunshine Aero Industries
John R. "Bosco" Bostick - B.S. in Economics, 1972
John R. "Bosco" Bostick, ā72, is an experienced test pilot and flight test engineer with over 15,000 flight hours. A Hickman County, KY native, he holds a B.S. in Economics from 51ĀŅĀ× and an M.A. in Public Administration from Troy State University. With a decades-long career in both military and civilian aviation, specializing in advanced fighter aircraft and missile systems, he continues to serve well into his 70s as a test pilot for Sunshine Aero Industries, and on numerous defense contract flight tests for the US Air Force (USAF) and the US Navy (USN). From 1983-1984, he flew as part of the famed USAF Thunderbirds Air Combat Command demonstration unit as part of its first F-16 team. He holds numerous commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross.
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Summer T-Oni Carney
2004
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Employment Readiness Program Specialist
US Dept. of Defense, Dept. of the Army
Summer Carney - M.S. in Human Development and Non-Profit Programming, 2004
With more than 20 years experience serving military spouses, families and service members in various capacities, Summer Carney, ā04, serves as the Employment Readiness Programs Manager for the Department of Defense at Fort Knox, Kentucky. She earned a masterās degree in human development and non-profit programming from 51ĀŅĀ× State. Over the past four years, her focus has been on providing and connecting service members and their families with employment services and resources. Past roles include serving as a Community and Veterans Liaison for the U.S. Attorneyās Office and a Military Services Coordinator for the Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition to her professional achievements, Carney is deeply involved in community service and civic engagement. She is an active member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and has been recognized as the Central Region Military Sorority Member of the Year. -
Tripp Gibson
2005
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Umpire, Major League Baseball
Tripp Gibson - B.A. in Art (Printmaking), 2005
A Graves County, KY native, Tripp Gibson, ā05, has spent more than a decade as a Major League Baseball (MLB) umpire, having served another nearly 10 years in the minor leagues before that. During his career, Gibson has earned the opportunity to officiate several significant postseason assignments, including the 2022 World Series, where he worked the plate for game four calling only the 2nd no-hitter in World Series history. Just weeks after earning a bachelorās degree in art from 51ĀŅĀ× State, he began attending the Harry Wendelstedt School for Umpires. He was called up to the MLB in 2013. In addition, thanks to Gibsonās involvement in the non-profit, UMPS CARE, the MLB raised more than $100,000 to help victims of the December 2021 tornado outbreak, including many in his hometown of Mayfield.
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Kathy Harris
1980
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Venture Partner and Strategic Advisor
Claritas Health Ventures
Kathy Harris - B.S. in Accounting, 1980
Kathy Harris, ā80, is a recognized finance and investment leader with extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and digital health. She has most recently held senior roles at Sharecare, Inc., where she led corporate development and facilitated acquisitions. Harris has also played a key role in raising significant capital and driving growth for other companies, from startups to established firms. She currently serves on multiple boards, including Kindbody, Keystone Specialty Pharmacy and Scene Health, and is a strategic advisor to Claritas Health Ventures. She also lends her significant experience to support many non-profits, including the 51ĀŅĀ× Foundation Board of Trustees, as a founding member of 51ĀŅĀ× Stateās Womenās Philanthropy Society and on the National Campaign Council for 51ĀŅĀ× Stateās $100 million Be Bold Capital Campaign, which recently surpassed its goal. In addition, Kathy has spent much of her career working to advance and empower female founders and entrepreneurs. She served on the Women's Leadership Board of Harvardās Kennedy School, mentoring young women in the public policy program, and is currently involved with Springboard Enterprises, which accelerates the growth of women-led entrepreneurial companies. -
Kelli Burkeen Parsons
1990
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Global Chief Executive Officer
Hill & Knowlton
Kelli Parsons - B.A. in Journalism and Political Science, 1990
A 51ĀŅĀ× native, Kelli Parsons, ā90, currently serves as the Global CEO at Hill & Knowlton, an international communications consultancy. She also held Chief Communication and Marketing Officer roles for Fortune 50 companies after beginning her career as a TV news reporter in Paducah. She is Chair of the Page Board of Trustees and a member of the University of Kentucky Gatton Business School Advisory Council. She previously served on the 51ĀŅĀ× State Foundation Board of Trustees. Kelli and her husband recently committed support for 51ĀŅĀ× State by naming the new nursing building's essential skills lab in memory of her mother, Oleta Burkeen. -
Dale Wilson
1970
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Retired Agent, US Secret Service
Executive Administrator, US Dept. of Labor
Dale Wilson - B.S. in History and Physical Education, 1970
Dale Wilson graduated in1970 with a degree in history and physical education before embarking on a 30-year career with the United States Secret Service, beginning in 1971. His extensive service included high-level roles in the protection of U.S. presidents and dignitaries, notably Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Vice President George H.W. Bush, and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. He oversaw security for major national events, including presidential campaigns, conventions, and inaugurations. Wilson concluded his storied career as Special Agent in Charge of the Protective Intelligence Division. After retiring, Wilson served as the Executive Administrator for the Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud in the U.S. Department of Labor, retiring again in 2015. In 2024, Wilson was the keynote speaker for the College of Education and Human Services Harry M. Sparks Distinguished Lecture Series at 51ĀŅĀ× State. -
Jonathan Andrew Lemmon
2008
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Outstanding Young Alumnus
Chief Operating Officer, Victory Junction
Jonathan Lemmon - Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management, 2008
The 2024 Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient is Columbia, Kentucky native Jonathan Lemmon, ā08. Lemmon (currently residing in Greensboro, NC) serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Victory Junction, a non-profit camp serving children with serious illnesses & chronic medical conditions located in Randleman, NC. Through his vision and leadership, Victory Junctionās hospital outreach program was created and now provides over 10,000 camp experiences each year. Jonathan has been with Victory Junction since 2009, working in various roles and capacities all the while developing strategic programs to further serve children who need camp both onsite and offsite. Jonathanās leadership has supported over 100,000 camper experiences at Victory Junction since 2009.