UNC Asheville to honor distinguished alumni at Reunion Dinner

From UNC Asheville:

UNC Asheville to Honor Distinguished Alumni, including Jennifer Forsyth of The Wall Street Journal and Jacquelyn Hallum of MAHEC, at Reunion Dinner on June 25

UNC Asheville has named the winners of the university’s 2016 Alumni Awards, and will recognize the honorees at the Alumni Reunion Dinner at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, in Highsmith University Union on campus.

2016 UNC Asheville Alumni Reunion Award winners:

Jennifer Forsyth, deputy editor, investigations, The Wall Street Journal – Forsyth was named the winner of the Roy A. Taylor Distinguished Alumnus or Alumna Award, UNC Asheville’s highest alumni award, which is named for the founder of its first alumni association and a distinguished member of the U.S. Congress. Forsyth had served as U.S. editor for The Wall Street Journal for three years prior to being promoted to her current position in 2014.

Jacquelyn Hallum, director of health careers and diversity education, Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) – Hallum was named the winner of the Francine Delany Alumni Award for Service to the Community, named for UNC Asheville’s first African-American graduate who gave a lifetime of service to the Asheville area in support of education. Hallum, a former chair of the Asheville City Schools Board of Education, is a leader in the effort to support workforce diversity in health care and educate area youth about health care careers.

John Noor, attorney, Roberts & Stevens, P.A. – Noor was named the winner of the Thomas D. Reynolds Alumni Award for Service to the University, named for the son of the university’s founder, a graduate of the class of 1937, and one of the university’s most active volunteers and supporters over sixty years. Noor, a litigation attorney focusing on environmental law, complex business litigation, governmental affairs, and public policy, serves on UNC Asheville’s National Alumni council and serves students as an adjunct instructor, teaching a course in environmental law.

Dee James, professor of English and director of the First-Year Writing Program, UNC Asheville – James was named the winner of the Alumni Distinguished Faculty Award, recognizing a faculty member who goes beyond the call of duty in the classroom and as a mentor and advisor to students. James, a graduate of UNC Asheville and member of the faculty since 1987, has co-led international travel experiences to Ghana, taught in the Africana Studies, Arts and Ideas, and Humanities programs, and played an essential role in helping students master effective and expressive writing.

Cristina Alonso, attorney – Alonso was named one of two winners of the 2016 Order of Pisgah Award for Alumni Achievement. Alonso, experienced in appellate litigation in state and federal courts, is former president of Florida Legal Services, Inc., a non-profit providing legal assistance to those unable to afford representation. She was counsel of record on an amicus brief filed by the Campaign for Southern Equality and the Equality Federation that called upon the U.S. Supreme Court to act quickly to ensure the freedom to marry for LGBT people across the nation.

LaKesha McDay, director of diversity and inclusion, Mission Health – McDay was named one of two winners of the 2016 Order of Pisgah Award for Alumni Achievement. McDay has held a variety of positions at Mission Health over two decades. She also serves as a consultant for Mission’s Center for Leadership and Professional Development, and has served the community as a loaned executive for the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County.

For more information about the 2016 UNC Asheville Alumni Award winners, or about the Alumni Reunion, contact Juliana Grassia at 251.6512, or visit alumni.unca.edu.