2023-2024
Carol Dorsey, '75, has showcased a lifelong dedication to education and community service. Graduating in political science in 1975, she immersed herself in regional politics, advocating for environmental conservation and serving on various committees. Carol's philanthropic endeavors, including spearheading literacy projects in Mississippi and supporting humanitarian efforts in Tucson, highlight her commitment to improving lives. Her enduring support for educational initiatives, regional artists, and historical preservation reflects a deep-rooted passion for enriching communities. Through her unwavering dedication to advancing human knowledge and fostering positive change, Carol exemplifies the ideals of the Alumni of the Year award.
2022-2023
Kathryn Bertine '00, who earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the University of Arizona in 2000, is an author, filmmaker, athlete, CEO, and champion for gender equity in sports through her Tucson-based Homestretch Foundation. The foundation assists low-income female professional athletes with free housing, lessons in activism for eradicating salary inequality, and post-athletics career opportunities. Thanks in large part to Bertine’s advocacy, the first complete Tour de France for women in 33 years was held in 2022. As a professional cyclist, Bertine won six national championships and three Caribbean Champion awards. She also uses her nonfiction writing — including four books as well as regular columns for ESPN and espnW — and documentary filmmaking to raise awareness of gender-based obstacles and inequities. Her feature documentary, “Half the Road: The Passion, Pitfalls and Power of Women’s Professional Cycling,” garnered numerous film festival awards and theater screenings.
2020-2021
Regina Romero ’01 is the first woman and only Latina mayor of Tucson, and the only Latina mayor among the 50 largest U.S. cities. She has put plans into action to help keep Tucsonans and all Arizonans healthy and safe. While responding to the immediate challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, she has managed to launch exciting new projects and initiatives to position the city for a strong recovery.
2019
Dave Schechter '90 is a business executive and community leader who is committed to assisting future generations who have typically been underserved.
2018
David Yetman '64 '66 '72 is an academic expert on Sonora, Mexico, and the Sonoran Desert. An Emmy award-winning media presenter on the world's deserts, geography and cultures of the Americas, and a research social scientist in UA's Southwest Center.
2017
The Harelson family members are active philanthropists who are passionate about students and who have greatly impacted the University for generations. Hugh Harelson earned a degree in journalism in 1952 and had a long and successful career as publisher of Arizona Highways. Hugh and his wife, Jan, and their sons, Matt and Scott, also earned UA degrees. Matt's oldest daughter, Sara, is a UA senior majoring in journalism.
When Hugh died in 1998, the family endowed the Hugh Harelson Reporting Lab to help journalism students acquire state-of-the-art technical skills and also the critical thinking skills needed to resolve issues raised by technology. Jan was a leader in the campaign to have the journalism unit elevated from a department to a school in 2008, and she initiated the annual Hugh and Jan Harelson Award for Teaching Excellence, which is maintained through support from Matt and Scott.
2016
Ayọ Tometi '05 (formerly known as Opal Tometi) is a human rights activist, writer, strategist, and community organizer. She is a co-founder of Black Lives Matter. She is the former executive director of the United States’ first national immigrant rights organization for people of African descent, the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI). She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Arizona.
2015
Steve Lynn community service and university engagement accomplishments reflect that commitment to the public: 10 years as chair of the SBS Advisory Board and co-chair of the Innovation Circle (formerly known as the Magellan Circle). He is a member and former chair of First Things First, an organization addressing early childhood development. Additionally, he serves as a member of the College of Medicine Advisory Board and holds the position of immediate past chairman of the University of Arizona Foundation.
2014
Melody S. Robidoux '80 '83, who has a degree in political science and a juris doctorate from UArizona, is a long-time donor to the School of Government and Public Policy, or SGPP. She has helped the school thrive by supporting faculty, student travel, and space renovations. Robidoux was co-owner and CEO of the technology company Artisoft. In 1990, Robidoux sold her interests in the company and decided to promote societal change through philanthropy. She founded the Melody S. Robidoux Foundation. In 1992, Robidoux co-founded the Women's Foundation of Southern Arizona to foster equity and opportunity for women and girls. Her foundation also funded Junior State of America’s expansion into Arizona, a program that fosters civic engagement for high school students.
2013
Ofelia Zepeda '80 81' 84' a Tohono O'odham poet and Regents Professor of Linguistics at the University of Arizona, where she has worked since 1979. She is the author of the first book on the grammar of the Tohono O'odham language and three collections of poetry, including her most recent, Where Clouds Are Formed. She received a MacArthur Fellowship in 1999 and has served as the Poet Laureate of Tucson.
2012
Dan Hicks '84 is a prominent American sportscaster known for his versatile broadcasting career spanning various sports, including golf, football, and the Olympics. With a distinctive voice and polished delivery, Hicks has been a fixture in sports media for decades, notably serving as a play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports. His expertise, professionalism, and engaging commentary have made him a respected figure in the broadcasting world.
2011
Fletcher J. McCusker '74, graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Finance. Leveraging his education, McCusker has made substantial contributions to the business landscape, particularly in the fields of healthcare and technology. His entrepreneurial endeavors, including co-founding and leading successful companies, highlight his commitment to innovation and economic growth. Additionally, McCusker's philanthropic efforts, aimed at supporting education and community development, further underscore his influential role in both regional and national contexts.
2010
Earl Hamblin Carroll '48 '51, had a distinguished legal career, starting with his service in the Navy from 1943 to 1946. He earned both his BA in business and his law degree from the University of Arizona. Judge Carroll clerked for Arizona Supreme Court Justice Evo DeConcini before joining a law firm and eventually being nominated to the federal district court in Phoenix by President Jimmy Carter in 1980. He served on the court until his retirement in 2011, remaining active even after taking senior status in 1994.