The Malone Awards

June 10th, 2023
Sellers Auditorium at the Bryant Conference Center

As we celebrate “60 Years Beyond the Schoolhouse Door”,  The 2023 Vivian Malone Alumni Awards will be held in Sellers Auditorium at the Bryant Conference Center on the campus of the University of Alabama on June 10th , 2023. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the dinner program will begin at 8:00 p.m.

The UA Black Alumni Association, the Culverhouse Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and the UA Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) partner in hosting The Malone Awards, with proceeds going to support scholarships, student retention and success initiatives, and student programs. The event is presented by PROJECTXYZ, Inc.

Terry Woods, a 1980 Mechanical Engineering graduate, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award this year.  Dr. Arthur Dunning, a three-time UA graduate who helped integrate Alabama football as a walk-on in 1967, will receive the Crimson Flame Courage Award. 

Tickets can be purchased here.

explore the awards

ABOUT THE AWARDS

Vivian Malone-Jones became instantly known to the world when then-Governor of the State of Alabama, George Wallace, attempted to block her from enrolling at the University of Alabama. Despite a tumultuous start, Mrs. Malone-Jones became the first black graduate of the university in 1965, receiving her degree through the University of Alabama’s College of Commerce and Business Administration. Despite difficult years at Alabama and post-graduation, Mrs. Malone-Jones excelled in her career and remained an avid supporter of the University and the University community. It is natural we honor her in this way.

The idea for an awards program named in honor of, and inspired by, our trailblazing alumna has been a thought of many in the university family. However, in early 2021, the Awards began to take shape when the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business (as it is now known) approached the University of Alabama Black Alumni Association to make the thought a reality. It all spawned from a simple premise, “To honor those alums who have used what they have learned and acquired at the University of Alabama to excel in their chosen endeavors while furthering the advancement of the University”. And from that thought, The Malone-Jones Awards were born.

Those behind the Awards know that the University has a rich tradition of preparing individuals to lead and achieve in many arenas. It is our honor to recognize just some of those individuals with a presentation worthy enough to be associated with Mrs. Vivian Malone-Jones and The University of Alabama.

HONOREES

MALONE-JONES "LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT" AWARD

Terry R. Woods

Terry R. Woods is a Consultant and Principal Owner of T.R. Woods & Associates. Throughout his professional career he has served in the roles as Chief Metallurgical Engineer for the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Nuclear Power Program, Vice President of Utility Services for S.L. King & Associates, and Regional Office Manager for Burns & Roe Engineering. A life Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., he has served as East Tennessee State Director and President of the Epsilon Xi Sigma Chapter Chattanooga Tn. He was also inducted into Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Gamma Pi Boule’ Chattanooga Tn. in 2004, having served in the role as Past President. He has been recognized with distinguished engineering fellowships at The University of Alabama, and has served or chaired several nonprofit boards. He earned his B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from The University of Alabama and completed the Owen Graduate School of Management “Executive Development Program” at Vanderbilt University. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Tennessee.

MALONE-JONES "CRIMSON FLAME" COURAGE AWARD

Arthur Dunning

Arthur “Art” N. Dunning came of age in the Black Belt of Alabama during the Jim Crow era. Among many pivotal experiences, he was part of a group of student athletes who helped to integrate Bear Bryant’s University of Alabama football team in 1967. The values instilled in him by his family and those in his close-knit community, together with life experiences through education and from living, working, and traveling abroad over more than forty years as an educator, shaped his approach to leading Albany State University, an HBCU, through its 2016 merger with all-white Darton State College. Prior to serving as president of Albany State University, Dunning served as vice chancellor for international programs and outreach for the University of Alabama System in Tuscaloosa. In 2021, Dunning published “Unreconciled: Race, History, and Higher Education in the Deep South.”  The Alabama native earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Alabama.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

- Honoree will be announced during the event.

Finalists

Artis Brown: Bachelors of Science in Engineering, 1996

Stacey Hill: Bachelors of Science Financial Planning with a minor Business Administration, 2000; Bachelors of Science Interior Design/Art History, 2004

Dr. Denise Robertson: Bachelors of Science in Nursing, 1996; Masters of Science in Nursing, 2007

RISING TIDE AWARD

- Honoree will be announced during the event.

Finalists

Orlando Beavers: Bachelors of Science in Computer Science, 2018

Dr. Creshema Murray: Bachelors of Science in Political Science (CAS), 2006; Masters of Arts in Communication Studies, 2007; Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Communication and Leadership (CIS), 2011

Audrina Washington: Bachelors of Science in Finance, 2006

OUTSTANDING GRADUATE AWARD

- Honoree will be announced during the event.

Finalists

Dr. Ifeanyi Okpala: Master of Science in Civil Engineering, 2019; Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering, 2022

LeAnna Roberts: Bachelors of Science in Biology, 2023

Danielle Spencer: Bachelors of Science in Finance, 2022; Masters of Science in Finance, 2023

 

DE&I CORPORATE AWARD

- Honoree will be announced during the event.

Black Faculty and Staff Association members will form the selection committee for alumni awards.

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

presenting sponsors

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Diamond Level Token Gift
$ 10,000
+
  • Recognition throughout Reunion Weekend and Marketing campaigns
  • Invitation for 4 to VIP Pre-Gala Reception
  • Option for 2 Complimentary Registrations for All Reunion Events
  • Corporate Name/Logo on Awards Marquee and Step & Repeat
  • Premium Reserved Table for 8

LEGACY 65 CIRCLE

Platinum Level Token Gift
$ $7,500
-$9,999
  • Recognition throughout Reunion Weekend and Logo on Step & Repeat
  • Invitation for 2 to VIP Pre-Gala Reception
  • Option for 2 Complimentary Registrations for All Reunion Events
  • Premium Reserved Table for 8

LEGACY 56 CIRCLE

Gold Level Token Gift
$ 5,000
-$7,499
  • Recognition throughout Awards Gala and within Gala Souvenir Booklet
  • Invitation for 2 to VIP Pre-Gala Reception
  • Option for 2 Complimentary Registrations for All Reunion Events
  • Premium Reserved Table for 8

CAPSTONE CIRCLE

Silver Level Token Gift
$ 2,500
-$4,999
  • Recognition throughout Awards Gala and within Gala Souvenir Booklet
  • Invitation for 2 to VIP Pre-Gala Reception
  • Option for 2 Complimentary Registrations for All Reunion Events
  • Premium Reserved Table for 8

HOUNDSTOOTH CIRCLE

Bronze Level Token Gift
$ $1,000
-$2,499
  • Recognition throughout Awards Gala and within Gala Souvenir Booklet
  • Premium Reserved Table for 8

Dr. Harold D. and Mrs Joyce H. Shambley

CRIMSON & WHITE CIRCLE

Donor Level
$ 500
-$999
  • Recognition during Awards Gala and within Gala Souvenir Booklet

CRIMSON GIVERS

$ 100
-$499
  • Recognition during Awards Gala and within Gala Souvenir Booklet

contact us about sponsorship

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The Malone Jones Distinguished Alumni award is designed to recognize outstanding achievement, leadership, and service among Black Alumni from the University of Alabama, from any College, and at any degree level. This is a celebration of diversity, our way of acknowledging the pursuit of excellence, the positive reflection that our University makes on individuals, and the lasting impact that we can, in turn, make in on our communities and in society.

Selection Criteria

We are calling for nominations that reflect the positive traits we seek to honor.  Successful nominations will outline or include:

  • Significant achievements the nominee has made in his/her chosen profession
  • How their achievements reflect the value of their UA education
  • Significant achievements made in his / her community
  • Honors, accolades, charitable involvement

Supporting materials may also be uploaded and considered (Resume, CV, bio, etc.) in PDF format.  Award recipients will need to attend the Awards Dinner on Nov. 5th.

deadline

Completed entries must be received no later than 11:59 pm on May 12th, 2023.

please be sure to include

  • Nominee Name
  • Degree/Year
  • Occupation
  • Company/Organization
  • Title
  • List of The University of Alabama Related Activities

The Malone Jones Alumni Awards recognize outstanding achievement, leadership, and service among Black Alumni from the University of Alabama, from any College, and at any degree level. This is a celebration of diversity, our way of acknowledging the pursuit of excellence, the positive reflection that our University makes on individuals, and the lasting impact that we can, in turn, make in our communities and on society.

For alumni who were 40 or older on January 1st, 2023.

The Malone Jones Alumni Awards recognize outstanding achievement, leadership, and service among Black Alumni from the University of Alabama, from any College, and at any degree level. This is a celebration of diversity, our way of acknowledging the pursuit of excellence, the positive reflection that our University makes on individuals, and the lasting impact that we can, in turn, make in our communities and on society.

For alumni who were 39 or younger on January 1st, 2023

The Malone Jones Alumni Awards recognize outstanding achievement, leadership, and service among Black Alumni from the University of Alabama, from any College, and at any degree level. This is a celebration of diversity, our way of acknowledging the pursuit of excellence, the positive reflection that our University makes on individuals, and the lasting impact that we can, in turn, make in our communities and on society.

Any alum who graduated after August of 2021 (including May 2023 grads).

The Malone Awards

NEWS

Inaugural Malone Awards Celebrating Societal Contributions of UA Trailblazers

The Culverhouse College of Business hosted the inaugural Vivian Malone Alumni Awards in conjunction with The University of Alabama’s Black Alumni Association on April 9 ...
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