Each year the Alumni Association recognizes four deserving graduates for their distinguished service to Columbia College and the community at-large, as well as for any outstanding achievements in their chosen professions. All Columbia College alumni are invited to submit nominations for the following Alumni Association Awards:

Distinguished Service Award

Given to an alumnus who has demonstrated exceptional character and service to Columbia College, their church, their community, and their family.

Career Achievement Award

Given to an alumnus who has distinguished themselves and Columbia College by outstanding accomplishments in their career field.

Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator Award

Given to an alumnus who has distinguished themselves and Columbia College through outstanding achievements in the field of education.

Outstanding Young Alumnus Award

Given to an alumnus who is 35 years old or younger and who provides exceptional service to Columbia College through their gifts of time, talent, and financial support.

Alumni Award Recipients

2023 Recipients

Distinguished Service Award - Nancy Burch Bunch ‘72

Career Achievement Award - Kaymani “Kay” Daniels West ‘97

Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator Award - Vivia Lawton Fowler ‘76

Outstanding Young Alumna Award - Kristin Wilson ‘17

2022 Recipients

Career Achievement Award – Cathy Shields '71

Distinguished Service Award – Tonya Tisdale Green '94 

Outstanding Young Alumna Award – Jamesha Shackerford '15

Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator Award – Ann White '76 and Tiffany Williams Blessingame '00

2021 Recipients

Career Achievement Award – Beth Roberts Baxley '84

Distinguished Service Award – Carol Stackhouse Hall '74 

Outstanding Young Alumna Award – Sarah Faulds Hopkins '09

Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator Award – Tamekia Ford M '13

2020 Recipients

Career Achievement Award – Dr. Patricia Bouknight

Distinguished Service Award – Janice Griffin 

Outstanding Young Alumna Award – Dr. Emelin Garcia Nieto

Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator Award – Dr. Amber Heape

2019 Recipients

Career Achievement Award – Dr. Sandra Rouse

Outstanding Young Alumna Award – Kendra Snipe and Fatima Zeidan Dunbar

Distinguished Service Award – Charlotte Stackhouse Broome

Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator Award – Dr. Marla Sanders

2018 Recipients

Career Achievement Award – Jenn Colella ’96

Outstanding Young Alumna Award – Kara Simmons ’10

Distinguished Service Award – Linda Jones DuRant '68

Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator Award – Dr. Zelphine Smith Dixon ’96

2017 Recipients

Career Achievement Award – Dr. Sally Cobb Krisel ’76

Outstanding Young Alumna Award – Marina Emory Fulton ’09

Distinguished Service Award – Lucy Crumpton Gordon ’61

Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator Award – Beth Thomas Elliott ’77

2016 Recipients

Distinguished Service Award – Marsha Steele Moore ’70

Career Achievement Award – Kathy Aughtry Randall ’73

Outstanding Young Alumna Award – Omotola “Tola” (Akinsola) Seun-Adeyemi ’12

Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator Award – Elizabeth Ann “Beth” Phibbs ’77

2015 Recipients

Distinguished Service Award – Judy Jones Cannon ’74

Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator Award – Dr. Peggy Stafford Parker ’70

Career Achievement Award – Dr. Regina Lemmon ’97

Outstanding Young Alumna Award – Ginny Skinner Haynes ’01