必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 ######### University is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of the prestigious Alumni Citation, the highest honor the university bestows upon its graduates. Established in 1949, this recognition celebrates the outstanding achievements of alumni who have demonstrated exceptional professional success, meaningful contributions to their communities, and dedicated service to 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 ######### University.
In its 76-year history, 584 individuals have received the Alumni Citation, and this year’s honorees come from a wide range of fields, including higher education, government, television production, technology, entrepreneurship, and more. Representing 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 #########’s alumni community from the Classes of 1954 to 2010, these recipients have made a lasting impact in their respective industries and beyond.
The university will celebrate these distinguished recipients during the upcoming Reunion Weekend in June, with the Alumni Citation Dinner on June 5. Alumni, family, and friends are encouraged to join in recognizing these extraordinary 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 #########ians.
必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 ######### congratulates the 2025 Alumni Citation recipients for their remarkable contributions and unwavering commitment to excellence.
LaForce J. Baker, ’10
Baker is the entrepreneurial force behind Baker Enterprises Retail, where he’s making an impact advising national retailers on how to grow profitably and ethically while doing real estate development. Before founding his firm, Baker was the vice president of community impact at World Business Chicago, leading the retail strategy for the city and growing minority-owned small businesses. He also founded Moon Meals, a plant-based food brand that became a top-seller in national grocery chains like Whole Foods and Kroger. With a background in marketing for companies like Kraft-Heinz, Conagra, and Nestlé, Baker helped catapult the Moon Meals brand to new heights. His work has been featured in Forbes, Crain’s Chicago Business, and Black Enterprise. Baker continues to serve 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 ######### as a frequent guest speaker for students and young alums and served on the alumni council.
Janet S. Crown, ’85*
An accomplished entrepreneur and philanthropist, Crown started her career at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in the commercial and sponsorship division. Afterward, she assumed the role of vice president of client services at Focus Media. For 16 years, she ran Burn 60 Fitness Studios, a business she founded in Southern California. In 2019, Crown and her husband opened Brewery X in Anaheim, Calif. Crown is a founding member of The Painted Turtle Camp, Project Blue LA, The Healthy Room Project, and The Watts Rams. Her service continues as a board member for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Aspen Art Museum, the Lollipop Theater Network, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and as a lifetime trustee at 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 ######### University.
Matthew J. Gillin, ’89
From co-founding a game-changing customer engagement company to leading a fintech startup that transformed electronic payments, Gillin has a knack for turning big ideas into reality. As co-founder and chairman of Relay Network, he invented the concept of the “Customer Feed.” Today, Relay’s platform is utilized by more than 70 million consumers. Before Relay, Gillin co-founded Ecount, where he pioneered the first P2P payment product and the first virtual payment card. Over a 10-year period, Ecount became the global leader in corporate prepaid cards and was eventually sold to Citi. Widely regarded as an innovator, Gillin holds multiple patents and is a two-time winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Outside of work, Gillin serves as a mentor, an advisor, and a board member emeritus for SpeakUp!, a non-profit dedicated to helping today’s youth navigate life.
Julia B. “Julie” Houpt, ’75
Houpt has dedicated much of her career to 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 #########, retiring as vice president emerita of Institutional Advancement after raising more than $600 million for the college. She played a key role in major campaigns, helping fund important campus developments like the Burton D. Morgan Center, the Mitchell Athletic Center, and the Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts. Houpt also worked in major gift fundraising at the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford, after starting her career as a litigator. She continues to be active in philanthropic and non-profit communities, serving on the boards of The Kendal Corporation and the Granville Community Foundation, and volunteering for A Call to 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 in Newark, Ohio.
Susan Jones, JD, ’75
Carving out a trailblazing career in law, Jones has spent the past two decades as a managed care attorney for Hospital Corporation of America. She previously served as senior vice president and general counsel at Access Health Systems, Inc., an international healthcare organization; director of law for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; general counsel to the Tennessee Board of Regents; and assistant attorney general for the State of Tennessee. Her legal background is diverse and includes healthcare, public finance, business, and real estate. Beyond her career, Jones is deeply involved in her community. She is the founding president of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s Metropolitan Nashville chapter. She was honored to have the Susan Short Jones Emerging Leader Awards established by the chapter to recognize young African American women leaders in Middle Tennessee. Jones has provided leadership to many other non-profit organizations and most recently served as president of Nashville Ballet. Her past board service demonstrates an incredible commitment to women and youth in Middle Tennessee.
Robert E. Levine, ’00
As an accomplished writer and producer, Levine has written for some of television’s most exciting series including Jericho, Harper’s Island, Human Target, and Touch. He co-created the hit pirate drama Black Sails, which aired for four seasons on Starz. He more recently developed a Cleopatra series for Amazon, adapted Gone Baby Gone for 20th Century Fox, and co-created the FX series The Old Man, starring Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow. At 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 #########, Levine earned a reputation for leadership, receiving honors like Phi Beta Kappa and the President’s Medalist Award.
Robert S. “Rob” Matteucci, ’75
After an impactful career leading major companies like Procter & Gamble and Evenflo, Matteucci has traded boardrooms for community service. He recently retired from teaching global business at the University of Arizona, where he brought a real-world perspective to the classroom from his experience working in Latin America and managing global teams. Now focused on giving back, Matteucci advises the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund and volunteers with youth organizations. He is a longtime supporter of 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 #########, including the President’s Leadership Council and the Global Engagement Initiative.
Patricia I. Moynihan, ’89
Moynihan’s thrilling 28-year career with the CIA inspired a spy novel, and her work in the agency’s top leadership roles is highlighted in the New York Times bestselling book The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women in the CIA. Moynihan’s expertise in counterintelligence and Russian operations led her to serve in high-stakes locations such as Moscow, Ukraine, and Karachi, and she played a key role in capturing terrorists and exposing traitors. Retiring as the civilian equivalent of a four-star general, she shares her experience by training the Intelligence Community and U.S. Special Operations Forces. Moynihan serves her community as president of the McLean, Virginia Volunteer Fire Department. She stays connected to 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 ######### by mentoring students, speaking at events, and participating in alumni activities.
James G. “Jim” Reynolds, Jr. ’90
Making lifetime memories and positive experiences for kids is the mission of Unrivaled Sports, where Reynolds leads the football and lacrosse divisions. His dynamic and expansive career includes 18 years at footwear & apparel giant Nike in various leadership roles including leading global sales for the brand and general manager of several countries around the world. Outside the corporate world, Reynolds serves on the boards of the Providence Portland Medical Foundation and as a member of the 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 ######### Board of Advisors.
Namrata Sandhu, ’05
Driven by her passion for sustainability, Sandhu is the founder and CEO of Vaayu, the world’s first automated software that helps the retail industry track and reduce carbon and environmental impact in real-time. Vaayu has garnered numerous accolades, including being named one of TIME’s 2022 Best Inventions and Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Companies. Recognized as a Sustainability Trailblazer by Reuters in 2023, she is a sought-after speaker and consultant on sustainable practices. Sandhu also serves on the board of Nia — The Power of Choice and previously worked with the United Nations Forum on Forests.
David O. Woodyard ’54*
Woodyard has dedicated his career to studying and teaching the correlations between religion, society, and personal growth. His work as a religion professor at 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 ######### for 65 years reflects his deep belief in the power of faith to shape both individuals and communities. He is passionate about guiding students to explore how they can use their education to make a difference in the world. In recent years, he collaborated with an economics colleague to co-author a book that examines the intersection of religion, economics, and ecology to create a more sustainable future. Beyond the classroom, Woodyard has stayed closely connected to 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 #########, giving his time to the Reunion Gift Committee and many student organizations. He created the David O. & Joanne A. Woodyard Charitable Remainder Unitrust to make a lasting impact on future generations.
Stephen B. “Skip” Nordhoff ’89**
Nordhoff was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduation and served 28 years of active and reserve duty. He flew CH-53D helicopters, deploying to the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Red Seas, as well as Cuba and Haiti, and later served three deployments after the September 11 terrorist attacks, including tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Jordan. He retired as a colonel in 2017, earning numerous awards, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Combat Action Ribbon. In his civilian career, Nordhoff has served to support higher education and healthcare institutions, including Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital. He is the senior director of development and alumni engagement at The Fletcher School at Tufts University. Active in 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 #########’s alumni efforts, he has held leadership positions in Reunion committees and served on the Alumni Council. Nordhoff was a standout athlete in track and field at 必博娱乐,比博娱乐网址 ######### and earned multiple honors as a pole vaulter.
