Distinguished Alumni
Each year, Southeastern’s Alumni Association accepts nominations for the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award. One or more graduates are selected as Distinguished Alumni, the highest honor awarded at Southeastern, and recognized for exceptional service to humanity.
During Southeastern’s yearly homecoming celebration, all graduates and former students are invited to attend a luncheon in honor of Distinguished Alumni who have been selected for recognition. Photos of all Distinguished Alumni and plaques bearing their names remain on permanent display in Southeastern’s Administration Building.
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 1973 | Dr. E. T. Dunlap |
| 1974 | Joe F. Gary |
| 1975 | Dr. Leslie Fisher |
| 1976 | General Ira C. Eaker |
| 1977 | W. R. Bradford, D.D.S. |
| 1978 | Priscilla Utterback |
| 1979 | Rector Swearengin |
| 1979 | W. K. Haynie, M.D. |
| 1980 | Dr. Earl Willhoite |
| 1980 | Dr. Lara Hoggard |
| 1981 | Ruth G. Pendleton |
| 1982 | Robert F. (Buddy) Spencer |
| 1983 | Earle Williams, D.D.S. |
| 1984 | John Massey |
| 1985 | David Williams |
| 1985 | Reba McEntire |
| 1985 | Oscar S. Gellein |
| 1986 | Owen (Bill) Seeds |
| 1987 | Don Sands |
| 1988 | Flodelle Dyer |
| 1988 | Governor Raymond Gary |
| 1988 | Bill McCalib |
| 1988 | Sam Lee Pool, M.D. |
| 1989 | William Allen Crutcher |
| 1989 | Jack Van Doren Hough, M.D. |
| 1990 | Dr. Leonard Campbell |
| 1990 | James Seigle |
| 1991 | Brett Butler |
| 1992 | Colonel James P. Hanny |
| 1993 | Dr. Roy Troutt |
| 1993 | Senator Darryl Roberts |
| 1994 | Mick Thompson |
| 1994 | Dr. Bill J. Lillard |
| 1995 | Don Carpenter |
| 1996 | Dr. W. Scott Nobles |
| 1996 | Dr. Gerald H. Sanders |
| 1997 | Pat Phelps |
| 1997 | Otho “Sweetpea” Curtis |
| 1998 | Mr. Noel Wall |
| 1998 | Regent Joe Paul Hemphill |
| 1998 | The Honorable Mike Burrage |
| 1999 | Dr. Dina Stallings |
| 1999 | Mr. Guy Davis |
| 1999 | Mr. Albert Brigance |
| 2000 | Captain Deborah McCoy |
| 2000 | Dr. Truman Wester |
| 2000 | Chief Greg Pyle |
| 2001 | Dr. Richard Clay |
| 2001 | Lieutenant General Edward Hanlon, Jr. |
| 2001 | Mr. Allen Wheeler |
| 2002 | Dr. Henry Scott |
| 2002 | Mr. Evert Tigner |
| 2003 | Mrs. Glenda Sullivan |
| 2003 | Dr. James Miller |
| 2004 | Mr. Mike Bailey |
| 2004 | Mr. Erwin J. “Buddy” Wagner |
| 2004 | Ms. Sharla Frost |
| 2005 | Mr. Bob Rabon |
| 2005 | Mr. Bob Ledbetter |
| 2006 | Dr. Jimmy Ballard |
| 2006 | Mrs. Billie Letts |
| 2006 | Dr. Joe Wiley |
| 2007 | Mr. James Dan Batchelor |
| 2007 | Mr. Brian Campbell |
| 2007 | The Honorable Terry Matlock |
| 2008 | Senator Jay Paul Gumm |
| 2008 | Dr. Chris Muzny |
| 2008 | Dr. Jeretta Horn Nord |
| 2009 | Dr. Cordell Adams |
| 2009 | Mr. Butch Arnett |
| 2009 | Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield |
| 2010 | Mr. Jerry Buchanan |
| 2010 | Mr. Keith Alan Russell |
| 2010 | Mr. Danny Gene Tuckness Jr. |
| 2011 | Major General James E. Chambers |
| 2011 | Mr. Greg Armstrong |
| 2011 | Representative John Carey |
| 2012 | Mr. Towana Spivey |
| 2012 | Ms. Gail Gorski |
| 2012 | Mr. Steve Robinson |
| 2013 | Dr. Jim Barnes |
| 2013 | Assistant Chief Gary Batton |
| 2013 | Mr. Rob Wells |
| 2014 | Dr. Jesse Arnold |
| 2014 | Ms. Josephine Wildcat Bigler |
| 2014 | Dr. David Whitlock |
| 2015 | Mr. Frank T. Fietz |
| 2015 | Ms. Sue Wilson Stafford |
| 2016 | Mr. William Fahrendorf |
| 2016 | Mr. William “Bill” Groom |
| 2016 | Mr. Lee Lipscomb |
| 2017 | Mrs. Joy Culbreath |
| 2017 | Mr. Mark Hughes |
| 2017 | Mr. Charles McCall |
| 2018 | Col. Tray Ardese |
| 2018 | Dr. Russell DeBose-Boyd |
| 2018 | Dr. Barbara Rackley |
| 2019 | James Parrish |
| 2019 | Colonel Tuan T. Ton |
| 2019 | Rick Wells |
| 2019 | Dr. J. Herbert Taylor (Posthumous) |
| 2021 | Mr. Greg Duffy |
| 2021 | Mr. Bill Brock |
| 2021 | Mr. Mike Metheny |
| 2022 | Mrs. Stacy Shepherd |
| 2023 | Lt. Gov Chris Anoatubby |
| 2023 | Mr. Wren Baker |
| 2023 | Cpt. Johnathan Benton |
| 2023 | Mr. Billy Jack Bowen |
| 2023 | Mr. Jeff Frye |
| 2023 | CW3 Brady Rudolf |
| 2023 | Dr. James Stewart |
| 2023 | Dr. Anthony Waldroup |
| 2024 | Blessed Stanley Rother (Posthumous) |
| 2024 | Mr. Terry Barker (Posthumous) |
| 2024 | Mr. Gary Sherrer |
| 2024 | Mr. Todd Hughes |
| 2024 | Mr. Roland Fanning |