2026 Awardees

The Honorable Yvette McGee Brown became the first African American woman to serve on the Supreme Court of Ohio in 2011. A Jones Day partner and Franklin County judge before that, she founded the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children's Hospital. McGee Brown received OHIO's Medal of Merit in 2001, served on the Board of Trustees, and was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame.

James Dru Joyce II is head coach of the St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish, one of the nation's most influential high school basketball programs. Over 25 years, "Coach Dru" has won seven state championships and a national title, developing athletes including four-time NBA MVP LeBron James. His sons Dru III and Cameron have followed him into coaching. Joyce is a USA Today Coach of the Year and published author.

Alex Sheen is the founder of because I said I would, a global movement built on the power of kept promises. His nonprofit has distributed more than 15 million Promise Cards across 178 countries. A five-time TEDx speaker, Sheen has appeared on CNN, NPR, and the TODAY Show, and once walked 240 miles across Ohio in 10 days to support survivors. He served as OHIO's 2019 commencement speaker.

Chris Bellamy is CEO of Cohen & Co, which has hired more than 200 Ohio University graduates and interns under his leadership. He serves on the College of Business Executive Advisory Board and previously advised the Finance Advisory Council. Bellamy regularly hosts Emerging Leaders students at his Cleveland firm, giving them direct exposure to executive decision-making. His mentorship and hiring pipeline have made him a driving force behind OHIO's alumni network in Northeast Ohio.

Valerie Biggs Hill has spent decades strengthening OHIO's alumni community. She served four years as National President of the Ebony Bobcat Network, overseeing six affiliate networks nationwide. Biggs Hill co-chaired the EBN Endowment Committee, helping secure $300,000 to launch the Ebony Bobcat Network Urban Scholarship. She retired from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District after a career coordinating workforce development for underserved communities, and has served on OHIO's President's Advisory Council.

Steven Krebs is Vice President and General Manager of AlpHa Measurement Solutions, capping a three-decade executive career that included leadership roles at Cooper Industries, Dell Technologies, and Emerson. A Harvard MBA and Marching 110 alumnus, Krebs chaired the College of Business Executive Advisory Board after serving four full terms. He and his wife, Tricia, established the fully endowed Steven and Patricia Krebs Scholarship to support future OHIO students.

Dan Squiller is Vice Chairman of Aquam Corporation, a global leader in water and energy infrastructure diagnostics, after leading technology and energy companies including PowerGenix and GT Advanced Technologies. Since 2016, he has coached and judged OHIO's Eco Challenge, helping students turn sustainability ideas into action. Squiller serves on the Russ College Board of Visitors and the College of Business Executive Advisory Board, and is a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus.

Brad Fain is Vice President of Ticket Sales, Service, and Operations for the Houston Texans, following record-setting tenures with the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, he has mentored more than 50 Bobcats over the past decade. Fain served on the Sport Management Program's Black Affinity Council and hosts College of Business students at Pistons games each Black History Month, pairing career advice with behind-the-scenes access.

Allie LaForce is an Emmy-winning sports broadcaster and lead sideline reporter for the SEC on CBS. She has covered NCAA March Madness, the NBA on TNT, MLB on TBS, and the Paris Olympics. A magna cum laude Honors Tutorial College graduate, LaForce returned to Athens as OHIO's 2018 Commencement speaker and often credits WOUB for launching her career. She and her husband, Joe Smith, founded HelpCureHD, a nonprofit dedicated to eradicating Huntington's disease.

Dr. John Kopchick has spent more than 40 years advancing Ohio University's research reputation. A Distinguished Professor of Molecular Biology and founding scientist of the Edison Biotechnology Institute, he discovered the first growth hormone receptor antagonist, leading to the FDA-approved drug SOMAVERT. That breakthrough has generated significant royalty income for OHIO, funding research infrastructure and a new doctoral program. Kopchick has mentored over 30 Ph.D. students and 45 postdoctoral fellows, and with his wife, Char, supports student success through philanthropy.

Donald Caldwell was a dual-sport standout, starring as an offensive tackle for OHIO football while also competing in track & field. A two-time First Team All-MAC honoree in 1972 and 1973, Caldwell also placed second in the shot put at the MAC Championships as a freshman. His versatility across two demanding sports and sustained excellence on the offensive line made him one of the era's most complete Bobcat athletes.

Doug Grebe still holds three individual team records in OHIO swimming, in the 400 IM, 1000 freestyle, and 1650 freestyle. A three-time First Team All-MAC honoree and team captain, he also earned the 1999 MAC Presidential Award and was a three-time Academic All-American and Academic All-MAC honoree. Grebe graduated with degrees in business administration and science, and now serves as Senior Vice President of Sales Operations for MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Co.

Torrie Albini helped lead Ohio field hockey to back-to-back MAC Championships in 2006 and 2007. A two-time First Team All-MAC honoree, she ranks second in program history for career goals and points. Albini went on to join the U.S. National Team, competing internationally from 2011 to 2013 and helping Team USA capture first place at the 2013 World League Round 2 in Rio de Janeiro. She now serves as a San Diego Police Officer.

Josh Sorge went from walk-on to NCAA All-American during his Bobcat baseball career, hitting .383 with 55 RBI and 9 home runs as team captain in 1996. A First Team All-MAC honoree, Sorge later led Strongsville High School to a state championship and was named the 2025 American Baseball Coaches Association National H.S. Assistant Coach of the Year. He now coaches at his alma mater, Saint Ignatius High School.

Germane Lindsey Jr. earned NCAA All-American honors in 2010 with a sixth-place finish at 141 pounds, capping a career of more than 80 wins and three team captaincies. A two-time team Hardest Worker and 2008 Most Valuable Wrestler, Lindsey led Ohio in wins as both a freshman and a junior. He later became head wrestling coach at Archbishop Moeller High School, winning a state title and earning 2025 Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association Coach of the Year honors.