Supporters Honored at 20th Annual Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards

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Posted on March 14, 2025

Amber Day

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The University of South Alabama National Alumni Association honored several alumni, a longtime department chair and the J.L. Bedsole Foundation for their contributions and achievements during the 20th annual Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards March 13 at the MacQueen Alumni Center.

鈥淲e are incredibly proud to celebrate this year鈥檚 distinguished alumni and friends,鈥� said Margaret Sullivan, vice president of development and alumni relations. 鈥淲ith more than 100,000 alumni, we are fortunate to have so many outstanding individuals who are making a meaningful impact in their communities around the country and world. This evening has been a wonderful opportunity to come together and recognize the leadership, dedication and achievements of these remarkable individuals.鈥� 

The ceremony to honor the awardees took place as the 91短视频 National Alumni Association recently concluded celebrations for its 50th anniversary.

鈥淥n behalf of the National Alumni Association and the University, I congratulate each of our recipients,鈥� said Ronnie Stallworth 鈥�03, president of the National Alumni Association. 鈥淥ur honorees include administrators, healthcare heroes, engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and public servants 鈥� all marking a positive impact in the world. The National Alumni Association is humbled to honor these outstanding individuals.鈥�

Videos telling each honoree鈥檚 story were shown at the event. The awardees are: 

Distinguished Alumni Award

Mr. Lenus M. Perkins and Dr. Mike Wojciechowski received this year鈥檚 Distinguished Alumni Award.

Perkins, born in Liberia, West Africa, matriculated at the University of South Alabama following acceptance as an international student and graduated from the College of Engineering in 1991 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in civil engineering. He began his career as a staff engineer at Thompson Engineering

in Mobile before joining Bhate Environmental Associates Inc. in Birmingham in 1992. 

As executive vice president and chief operating officer for Bhate, Perkins is the direct report for division directors, responsible for operations and corporate oversight of commercial and federal contracts across the company鈥檚 five business units. Additionally, he oversees business development and growth strategies, quality control and safety.

Perkins serves as chair of the budget and finance committee and secretary of the University of South Alabama Board of Trustees.

He is a founding member of the Bong Education Center Alumni Association, a non-profit supporting educational programs in Liberia. He serves on the board of directors for Navigate Affordable Housing Partners in Birmingham and the Global Network Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Society of International Business Fellows. Perkins has previously held board positions with the Birmingham Zoning Board of Adjustment, McWane Science Center and Highlands School Foundation. He was recognized with the Patriot Award from the Office of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for supporting employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.

Wojciechowski graduated from the Mitchell College of Business in 1978 with a degree in marketing. He earned a MBA in finance from South in 1981, and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Pepperdine University in 2013.

Wojciechowski serves as a clinical professor and senior lecturer in the Fred Kisner School of Entrepreneurship at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, teaching new venture creation and social entrepreneurship to both undergraduate and MBA students. In 2018, the Kisner School of Entrepreneurship named Wojciechowski its Professor of the Year. In addition, Dr. Wojciechowski received the Impact Award from the 91短视频 Mitchell College of Business, which was given to the 50 most impactful graduates in the first 50 years of the school鈥檚 existence.

Wojciechowski is chairman of Affordable Housing Advisors. He has been involved in real estate acquisition, structuring and development for both public and private investment for 40 years. He has analyzed or overseen the analysis of more than $10 billion in real estate, resulting in the raising of over $5 billion in investor funds. He has been instrumental in developing more than 60,000 apartment units across 15 states, all aimed at providing affordable housing for families through the Section 42 Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. 

Wojciechowski has been actively involved in entrepreneurship and has acted as a principal and/or investor in more than 40 different companies. Additionally, he sits on a number of boards where he contributes his experience and expertise in the areas of governance, strategic planning and entrepreneurship.

Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Carol Scott Cash received this year鈥檚 Distinguished Service Award. She earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in secondary education (mathematics) and master鈥檚 degree in guidance and counseling from South鈥檚 College of Education and Professional Studies. Cash earned a Doctorate in Education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Cash served as a K-12 educator for more than 30 years, both as a teacher and principal, before moving to positions in higher education. She currently serves as a clinical professor, professor of practice and past program leader for the Educational Leadership Program at Virginia Tech. During her 15 years at Virginia Tech, Cash has contributed to the graduation of over 211 doctoral students. She was the chair of 88 doctoral committees, co-chair of an additional 12, and a member of committees for another 111 students.

Throughout her career,  Cash has tirelessly promoted educational opportunities for past, present and future educational leaders. Cash served as a mentor to new principals and scheduling advisor to middle school leaders in the Hanover County Public School System in Virginia. In 2000, she was selected Outstanding Virginia High School Principal of the Year.

V. Gordon Moulton Distinguished Service Award

Patsy A. Kennedy and Ray H. Kennedy received this year鈥檚 V. Gordon Moulton Distinguished Service Award. For many years, Patsy and Ray have volunteered their time and resources in service of the University of South Alabama. Both earned a degree from the University. Ray earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business management, and Patsy earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing. 

Ray is a member of both the National Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Jaguar Athletic Fund Board of Directors, and Patsy is chair of the College of Nursing Development Council and a member of the National Alumni Association Board of Directors. 

Patsy is also a charter member of the Jag-Gals women鈥檚 booster club, raising funds for tutoring 91短视频 student-athletes, and has served for many years as part of that organization鈥檚 leadership team. Ray served on the committees to design and build both the MacQueen Alumni Center and the Baseball Ring of Honor, contributing significantly to all aspects of both projects including concept development and fundraising.

Prior to his retirement, Ray served as a firm administrator at Hand Arendall LLC. He began his career as credit manager for Teledyne Continental Motors, where he earned his private pilot鈥檚 license in his early 20s. He later served as assistant vice president for materials at QMS. 

Patsy, a registered nurse, served the University of South Alabama for more than 30 years, retiring in 2014 as manager for staff development and employee health for the Health Services Foundation Administration.

Patsy and Ray have participated in both of the University鈥檚 capital campaigns through their giving and as campaign volunteers. They are members of the University鈥檚 Legacy Society through a significant planned gift that will provide endowed scholarships in the College of Nursing, support the National Alumni Association Children of Alumni scholarships and support the Jaguar Athletic Fund. 

William J. 鈥淗appy鈥� Fulford Inspirational Achievement Award

Dr. Robert V. Barrow received this year鈥檚 William J. 鈥淗appy鈥� Fulford Inspirational Achievement Award. Barrow passed away March 6; his family accepted the award in his honor.

Barrow assumed the position of assistant professor of political science at the University of South Alabama in 1966, and he retired with more than 30 years of service in 1998. During that period, Barrow established the Criminal Justice Program, created a companion internship program, served as chair of the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice and director of the Criminal Justice Program.

Throughout his career, Barrow served as a consultant to numerous city and state governmental and legislative bodies and as a faculty advisor for student on-campus organizations. He authored numerous publications. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Barrow received commendations from the Mobile Police Department, Mobile County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Secret Service.

Barrow鈥檚 dedication and support of his students extended beyond impacting them in the classroom. His interactions with local, state and federal agencies were an essential component in the growth and prosperity of the programs he spearheaded. His relationships with officials in the criminal justice field provided 91短视频 students valuable access to internships and potential careers. 

The 91短视频 Department of Political Sciences and Criminal Justice was the recipient of hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding through his efforts.

Community Partner Award

The J.L. Bedsole Foundation received this year鈥檚 Community Partner Award.

For decades, the J.L. Bedsole Foundation has been committed to making a difference in the lives of young people across our state through institutions of higher education and non-profit organizations. The mission of the Foundation is to 鈥渆nsure the continuing health, welfare and prosperity of the citizens of Southwest Alabama by providing greater postsecondary educational opportunities for our worthy youth, and by supporting expanding civic, cultural, artistic and economic development opportunities for all citizens of our area.鈥� 

The Bedsole Foundation has contributed more than $2.5 million to 91短视频, and their generosity has over a $3.5 million impact including matching funds. Their first contribution was made in 1979. Even after 46 years, the value of their generous gifts have increased year after year. 

More than $2 million has been dedicated to the Bedsole Scholars Program, one of the Foundation鈥檚 signature programs that has enabled dozens of youth to attend college at 91短视频 and earn an undergraduate degree, impacting not only their lives, but the lives of their families. 

Its support of 91短视频 touches many, including future generations of physicians and scientists educated at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine. The Foundation elevates South through philanthropic support and intentional focus areas.

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