The Alumni Association presented its first Distinguished Young Alumni Award in 1993. The award recognizes young alumni for their professional achievements, civic accomplishments, and/or service to Centre College, and is awarded to alumni who have graduated within the last fifteen years.
Nominate a Distinguished Young Alumni candidate here.
The award winners from the last 10 years are below. We are in the process of archiving previous award winner biographies. A list of all previous winners can be found here.
Briana Lathon Bluford has built an impressive legal career rooted in leadership, service, and a deep commitment to her community. As Senior Counsel for the Kentucky Lottery Corporation, she navigates complex legal matters in gaming, marketing, consumer protection, and corporate compliance, ensuring the organization operates with integrity and in accordance with state and federal law. Prior to this role, Briana served as Senior Compliance Professional for Humana, where she played a pivotal role in regulatory compliance, strategic oversight, and legal risk management in the commercial pharmacy sector. Her career began in business litigation at Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC, where she gained extensive experience in high-stakes legal disputes.
Beyond her professional achievements, Briana is a dedicated leader in her community. She serves on the Centre College Board of Trustees, as well as on the boards of the Kentucky Derby Museum, Louisville Public Media, and the Kentucky Derby Festival. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the 2023 Enterprising Woman Award from Louisville Business First and the 2018 Trailblazer Award from the Louisville Bar Association.
A cum laude graduate of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, Briana’s journey began at Centre College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government in 2015. Her professional excellence, commitment to service, and leadership make her a shining example of the power of a Centre education.
Dexter Horne has dedicated his career to community service and leadership. A Bonner Scholar at Centre College, he completed over 1,000 hours of service, including a cross-country cycling trip to support affordable housing. On campus, he was deeply involved, serving as Speaker of the House in student government, a mentor in the English as a Second Language program, and a leader in Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.
After earning a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kentucky, Dexter’s career included roles with the McNary Group, Louisville Public Media, and the Ronnie Bastin for Mayor campaign. He now serves as a Leadership Development Specialist with The Council of State Governments, helping state leaders address critical challenges.
Beyond his professional work, Dexter remains committed to service, holding leadership positions with Louisville Public Media, New Leaders Council, Metro United Way, and the Young Professionals Association of Louisville. His dedication to uplifting communities exemplifies the spirit of Centre College.
CJ Donald exemplifies leadership, service, and dedication to justice. At Centre College, he was a New Horizons Scholar, student judiciary member, and team manager for the men’s lacrosse team. He also served as a residence director, admissions ambassador, and studied abroad in Strasbourg. A dynamic presence on campus, CJ co-anchored the popular C60 video series and was elected Homecoming King. As a senior, he co-led Omicron Delta Kappa and Pi Sigma Alpha and was honored with the Max P. Cavnes Prize for being among the most respected students in his class.
After earning a law degree from Vanderbilt University in 2017, CJ joined Haynes and Boone in Dallas, later returning to Kentucky while continuing his legal work. He has been active in the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, focusing on equal access to justice, and serves on the Haynes and Boone Hiring Committee. A published author and speaker on the legal profession, he remains dedicated to mentoring and advocacy.
CJ’s loyalty to Centre continues through volunteerism, serving on the President’s Advisory Council and the Board of Governors for Phi Kappa Tau.
Shariya Terrell Kennedy has combined a passion for research with a commitment to mentoring future scientists. Graduating cum laude from Centre College with a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology, she received the E. Wilbur Cook Biological Sciences Award. Her research aspirations led her to Harvard, where she earned a Ph.D. in biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology in 2013, supported by a National Institutes of Health fellowship.
She continued her groundbreaking work as a postdoctoral fellow at the Emory Vaccine Center, earning the Schaffer Award for Outstanding Postdoctoral Presentation in 2016. Her research focused on developing a genetically modified virus to study immune system manipulation. Now an account representative for Omega Bio-Tek in Atlanta, she provides innovative solutions for scientific research and medical diagnostics.
A dedicated mentor, Shariya has guided students from Harvard to Emory and supported Centre’s Posse recruitment efforts. She also served on the Emory Minority Postdoctoral Council and Centre’s President’s Advisory Council, continuing her dedication to fostering the next generation of scientists.
Major John Warren Robey exemplifies leadership, service, and valor. An Eagle Scout and decorated U.S. Army Special Forces officer, he has earned four Bronze Stars, including one with a “V” for valor, and the Combat Infantry Badge. Beginning his military career in the infantry, he completed Ranger School and deployed twice to Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division. In 2012, he became a Green Beret, commanding a 12-man Alpha Team with the 3rd Special Forces Group and working with Afghan commandos. His service has taken him across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Poland, and Germany.
John earned a Master of Science from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2017 and later worked with the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, preventing advanced technology from reaching unstable states.
At Centre, John majored in English, was a member of Beta Theta Pi, Phi Alpha Theta, and Pi Alpha Sigma, and was known for his spirited classroom discussions. He met his wife, Nicole ’06, at Centre, and they now have two daughters.
Karen Trowbridge Savitz embodies Centre College’s mission of learning, leadership, and service. A lesson she holds dear—one from her father, Ron Trowbridge—states: “If you aren’t growing, you are dying. You always have to be thinking ahead and striving for growth.” This philosophy has driven her remarkable success as an entrepreneur and business leader.
Karen began her career at RS Information Systems, a top-ranked federal contractor, where she gained experience in business management, strategic planning, and operations. In 2008, she founded Trowbridge & Trowbridge, an award-winning provider of cloud, cyber, and IT modernization solutions for defense, intelligence, and federal agencies, including the Army, Air Force, NIH, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Recognized as a top woman-owned business leader, Karen received the Washington SmartCEO Brava! Women’s Business Achievement Award in 2011 and was named one of the Top 25 GovCon Execs to Watch in 2018 by WashingtonExec. Under her leadership, Trowbridge & Trowbridge has been featured multiple times on the Inc. 5000 list and recognized among the Washington Business Journal’s Fastest Growing Companies and Washington Technology Fast 50.
Beyond her professional achievements, Karen remains dedicated to Centre College, establishing a fund to support women in STEM research and actively engaging with the DC-area alumni network.
Ben Beaton made an immediate impact at Centre College, excelling academically and immersing himself in campus life. A Phi Beta Kappa member, he graduated summa cum laude, earning the George Winston Welsh Valedictorian Prize. Outside the classroom, he was involved in Sigma Alpha Epsilon, served as sports editor for The Cento, and worked at the Norton Center.
After graduation, Ben pursued a career in politics, serving as a legislative assistant to U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield. In 2006, he attended Columbia Law School as an Alexander Hamilton Fellow, earning the prestigious James Kent Scholar distinction.
Ben’s legal career has been distinguished by remarkable opportunities. He clerked for Judge A. Raymond Randolph on the U.S. Court of Appeals and served as a legal fellow for the International Justice Mission in Uganda. In 2011, he achieved a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: clerking for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, gaining an insider’s perspective on the nation’s highest court.
Following his Supreme Court tenure, Ben returned to Sidley Austin in Washington, D.C., where he manages an extensive legal practice. He also maintains a robust pro bono caseload, serving as a state-appointed counsel and advocating in religious liberty cases. His commitment to service extends beyond the legal field—he is an active church member, a founding member of the Kentucky Business Council, and a guest lecturer for multiple institutions, including Centre College.
Ben and his wife, Andrea Zawacki Beaton ’01, live in Washington, D.C., with their three children. A dedicated Centre alumnus, he serves as a mentor for D.C.-area alumni, a former member of the President’s Advisory Council, a Centre Associate, and now a member of Centre’s Board of Trustees.
A native of Prestonsburg, Kentucky, Wes Fugate has dedicated his career to leadership, education, and service. At Centre College, he excelled as Student Congress President, a resident assistant, a Cento staff member, and a performer with CentrePlayers. He also served as Junior Marshall, Senior Gift Campaign Chair, and student representative on the Board of Trustees, all while earning degrees in dramatic arts and economics.
Wes’s passion for education led him to pursue a Master of Education from Vanderbilt University and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Georgia. His career has included roles as Director of Program Advancement for Kentucky’s Governor’s Scholars Program, Deputy Chief of Staff for Education Policy for the Governor of Kentucky, and Interfraternity Council Advisor at Georgia. He now serves as Vice President and Chief of Staff at Randolph College, overseeing presidential operations, board relations, and community engagement.
An active community leader, Wes chairs the board of Lynchburg Beacon of Hope, leads Endstation Theatre Company, and serves as a Trustee for Jenny Wiley Theatre. He remains deeply engaged with Centre College, having served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and as a Class Correspondent.
Kevin Chapman’s journey is a testament to perseverance and resilience. Raised in Louisville by a single mother diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Kevin grew up in a neighborhood plagued by crime and drugs. When his mother moved for treatment, Kevin made the difficult decision to stay with his 80-year-old grandmother. Despite these challenges, he excelled in academics and athletics at Male High School, eventually earning a spot at Centre College in 1996. At Centre, Kevin thrived both in the classroom and on the football and track teams, earning all-conference honors and setting multiple track records, including two indoor records that still stand today.
A Dean’s List student and member of the Diversity Student Union, Kevin graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and went on to earn a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University, graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA. He later pursued a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Louisville, where he was recognized with the Excellence in Leadership Award from the American Psychological Association for his advocacy work.
Kevin’s career has been marked by his leadership and expertise in mental health. He became an associate professor and founded the University of Louisville’s Center for Mental Health Disparities. In 2014, he co-founded Kentucky Psychiatric and Mental Health Services. Kevin is a sought-after expert on depression and anxiety disorders, serving as a Master Clinician for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and publishing over 30 articles on these topics. He also specializes in Sports Performance, working with athletes at all levels to improve mental strategies and performance.
Kevin’s expertise has led to appearances in media outlets like Psychology Today, the Huffington Post, and the Dr. Oz Show. For his dedication to overcoming personal challenges and his contributions to the field of psychology, Kevin Chapman is truly deserving of the Distinguished Young Alumnus Award.