2026 Distinguished Alumni Honorees
Distinguished Alumni Award Honoree: Curtis Daniel III
From winning a Big Ten Championship as a scholarship football athlete at Michigan State to becoming one of the most visionary business leaders and innovators in his industry, Curtis Daniel III embodies true Spartan excellence.
Known as an extraordinary strategist, motivator, and dynamic leader who anticipates market trends before they happen, Curtis has built a reputation for elevating everyone around him.
Want to hear more about his incredible journey and the groundbreaking work he's doing today? Join us at the Shirley M. Rodgers Distinguished Alumni and Scholarship Brunch to celebrate Curtis and learn more about his story!
Distinguished Alumni Award Honoree: Melvin Mance
From serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve Seabees to directing national development strategies for major global brands, Melvin Mance represents the epitome of Spartan leadership and service.
Known as an accomplished executive, founder, and dedicated board leader across Michigan State University and national organizations, Melvin has built a legacy of operational excellence and community impact.
Want to hear more about his inspiring journey and the high-impact moves he's making today? Join us at the Shirley M. Rodgers Distinguished Alumni and Scholarship Brunch to celebrate Melvin and learn more about his story!
Distinguished Alumni Award Honoree: Lakesha Lundy
From leading global finance strategies at tech giant Google to managing multi-billion dollar portfolios, Lakesha Lundy exemplifies the height of corporate excellence and strategic leadership.
Known as an influential finance leader, real estate broker, and passionate advocate, Lakesha is deeply dedicated to economic advancement, diversity, and empowering underrepresented communities.
Want to hear more about her inspiring career and the high-impact work she's doing today? Join us at the Shirley M. Rodgers Distinguished Alumni and Scholarship Brunch to celebrate Lakesha and learn more about her story!
Distinguished Alumni Award Honoree: Philip Lewis
From reporting in Detroit to shaping national news at HuffPost and leading the Washington Association of Black Journalists, Philip Lewis represents the forefront of modern journalism and media leadership.
Known as an influential editor, newsletter author, and EBONY Power 100 honoree, Philip has built a powerful reputation for amplifying vital stories and shaping the future of digital journalism.
Want to hear more about his inspiring career and the impact he's making today? Join us at the Shirley M. Rodgers Distinguished Alumni and Scholarship Brunch to celebrate Philip and learn more about his story!
Congratulations to Our Milestone Anniversary Recipients!
And last but certainly not least, honoring decades of brotherhood, sisterhood, and leadership, we proudly recognize our Milestone Anniversary Awardees: Kevin D. Kyles (Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.), Dennis Miller (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.), and Dr. Standifer-Barrett (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.). Known for their unwavering dedication, service, and leadership, these remarkable alumni continue to pave the way and set the standard for Black Spartan Excellence.
2024
Distinguished Alumni Honorees
2023
Distinguished Alumni Honorees
Rising Star
2022
Distinguished Alumni
Honorees
Clfton R. Wharton Jr.
Community Service
Trailblazer
HISTORICAL DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
Clifton R. Wharton Jr. Distinguished Alumni Award
This award recognizes an MSU Black alumna or alumnus who has proven pioneering leadership, dedication to interracial harmony, outstanding community involvement and a commitment to the MSUBA goals and objectives. (This person does not have to be a member of MSUBA.)
Rising Star Award
This award recognizes a recent MSU alumna or alumnus who has shown outstanding promise and innovation. This person has significantly begun to contribute to their respective career area and/or community.
The Trailblazer Alumni Award
This award recognizes a person who has enhanced the MSUBA mission and goals through outstanding innovation and groundbreaking achievement. This person does not have to be a MSU graduate but must have a connection to MSU as a faulty or staff and/or be a current dues paying member of MSUBA .
Community Service / University Service Award
This award recognizes a person who has made significant contributions to the community, MSUBA or MSU through their time, actions, talents, and dedication.
2022
Mr. Carlos Cubia - Clifton R. Wharton Distinguished Alumni Award
Ms. Andrea Reed - Rising Star Award
Dr. Anthony Muhammad - Trailblazer Alumni Award
Ms. Melissa Waller - Community Service/University Service Award
2020
Mrs. Daphne Turpin Forbes - Clifton R. Wharton Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. Ebony Roberts - Rising Star Award
Mr. Charles Harell II - Trailblazer Alumni Award
Dr. Dorinda Carter Andrews - Community Service/University Service Award
2019
Mr. Mark C. Smith
- Clifton R. Wharton Distinguished Alumni Award
Mr. Jayce Hill - Rising Star Award
Mr. Michael Alston
- Trailblazer Alumni Award
Mrs. Bridgette Jackson - Community Service/University Service Award
2018
Kasey Coleman
Farone K. Paramore
Sherkia Hawkins
Dr. Clarence Underwood
2017
Felicia Turrentine Wasson - Clifton R. Wharton Distinguished Alumni Award
Savarior Moss-Service - Trailblazer Alumni Award
Alison Vaughn - Community Service/University Service Award
Kellie Boyd - Rising Star Award
2016
Robinson Nunn
Harold Henderson
Steve Smith
Damien Crutcher
2015
A. Gregory Eaton
Dr. Paulette C. Walker
Roderick D. Guillium
2014
Harold W. Bulger, Jr. - Law
Eric Hamilton - Information & Technology
Wanda Herndon - Business
Jemele Hill - Journalism/Multi-Media
Annelle Lewis - Business
Glenda Lewis - Journalism/Multi-Media
Dr. Wanda Lipscomb - Medicine
Carlos Marino - Community Outreach
Barbara Roberts Mason - Education
Kirk Mayes - Community Outreach
Dr. Jerel Owens - Medicine
James A. Raye, Jr. - Sports
Theda L. Rudd - Entrepreneur
Paulette Granberry Russell - Social Justice
Dr. George H. Simmons - Science/Engineering
2013
Ingrid Saunders Jones
Dr. Ernest Betts
Dr. Robert Green
If you were a Distinguished Alumni and you are not listed please send an email to President@msuba.org with your full name and the year you were awarded.