2025 Distinguished Alumni and Deans’ Recognition Awards

As a Homecoming tradition, the Towson University Alumni Association (TUAA) honored eight exceptional Tigers who have made significant achievements in their careers. The Distinguished Alumni and Deans’ Recognition Awards are the highest honors presented by the TUAA.

Distinguished Alumni Award

  • Pamela Beidle ’94
    College of Business and Economics

Distinguished Young Alumni Award

  • Lauren O. Cahalan ’18
    College of Business and Economics, College of Liberal Arts

Deans’ Recognition Awards

  • James Downing ’02, College of Business and Economics
  • Cynthia McCabe ’94, College of Education
  • Viera Whye ’79, College of Fine Arts and Communication
  • Patricia D. Hoge ’81, ’82, College of Health Professions
  • Carolyn Scruggs ’87, College of Liberal Arts
  • Thomas Kinsey ’68, Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics
TU alumni award winners

Roar at the shore

From June 26–28, Tigers converged in the Delmarva area for a Shorebirds game, happy hour at Saltwater 75, volunteering event at Big Chill Beach Club, family day at Jolly Roger and meet-up at Ropewalk. It was an action-packed weekend.

Alan Taylor, Tori Taylor, Edna Primrose ’84, Sherman the Shorebird, Greg Ing, Jenna Markland and Layla Phipps at the Shorebirds game

Alan Taylor, Tori Taylor, Edna Primrose ’84, Sherman the Shorebird, Greg Ing, Jenna Markland and Layla Phipps at the Shorebirds game.

Angelina Davis, Carly Kostakos ’03, Michael Sandy ’14, Barbara Kostakos ’03, Richard Holley ’96, Jake DeFilippis, Edna Primrose ’84, Brian DeFilippis and Rachel Reinecke at the beach clean-up

Angelina Davis, Carly Kostakos ’03, Michael Sandy ’14, Barbara Kostakos ’03, Richard Holley ’96, Jake DeFilippis, Edna Primrose ’84, Brian DeFilippis and Rachel Reinecke at the beach clean-up.

Mike Allen, Laura Allen, Amanda Allen ’14, Gabby Jacobson ’21 and Jonas Jacobson ’90 at Saltwater 75 happy hour
Edward Haywood ’17 and Ariana Haywood ’23 at Jolly Roger

Left: Mike Allen, Laura Allen, Amanda Allen ’14, Gabby Jacobson ’21 and Jonas Jacobson ’90 at Saltwater 75 happy hour. Right: Edward Haywood ’17 and Ariana Haywood ’23 at Jolly Roger

California brunch

On Sept. 21, John Kassir ’81 and his wife, Vanessa Waters, hosted a reception at their beautiful home in Agoura Hills for Tigers working in the entertainment industry. It was a welcome opportunity to talk shop, reconnect and meet new friends. 

Alumni at the home of John Kassir ’81

Alumni at the home of John Kassir ’81.

Alex Gradet ’98, Samantha Devlin, Chris Devlin ’90, Courtney Birk and Ashleigh Coffelt ’12

Alex Gradet ’98, Samantha Devlin, Chris Devlin ’90, Courtney Birk and Ashleigh Coffelt ’12.

Heather Seiden ’97, Hilary Saunders ’22, Copeland Bryan, Viera Whye ’79, Regina Carlow and Michelle Mitchenor ’10
John Kassir ’81, Jessica Ford ’98, Rich Rotella ’06 and Gayane M.

Left: Heather Seidan ’97, Hilary Saunders, Bryan Copeland, Viera Whye ’79, Regina Carlow and Michelle Mitchenor ’10. Right: John Kassir ’81, Jessica Ford ’98, Rich Rotella ’06 and Gayane M. 

Homecoming T-Club and alumni tailgate

Before and during the big game, the TU Alumni Association teamed up with Towson Athletics to host a fun-filled tailgate party for Tigers and their families on the track at Unitas Stadium.

Tiger fans get an up-close view of the game from the end zone.

Tiger fans get an up-close view of the game from the end zone.

TU besties Stephanie Calabretti ’97, ’01; Melissa Luckman ’98 and Ruth Roberts ’98
Families take advantage of activities like face painting and caricature drawings.

Left: TU besties Stephanie Calabretti ’97, ’01; Melissa Luckman ’98 and Ruth Roberts ’98. Right: Families take advantage of activities like face painting and caricature drawings.

Alumni, including several former football team members, return to cheer on the current squad.

Alumni, including several former football team members, return to cheer on the current squad.

Sports-loving Tigers

Throughout September, alumni attended several fun athletic events around the region—a TU football tailgate at the University of Maryland, College Park; alumni night with the Orioles at Camden Yards; a D.C. United soccer match at Audi Field; and a Ravens watch party at Mother’s Grille North.

Alumni, family and friends gather at the Maryland vs. TU tailgate.
Tigers enjoy a cookout before the O’s take on the Yankees.
Mia Edwards ’16 and Derrick Edwards ’16 watch the D.C. United match.

Right: Tigers enjoy a cookout before the O’s take on the Yankees. Left: Mia Edwards ’16 and Derrick Edwards ’16 watch the D.C. United match.

Jun Tao ’09 and Yvonne Zhang ’09 cheer on the Ravens with their family at the watch party.

Jun Tao ’09 and Yvonne Zhang ’09 cheer on the Ravens with their family at the watch party.

Clockwise from bottom left: Evelina Sarapi ’22, Bailey Hardwick ’23, Sydney Redford ’23, Allie Kashan ’23 and Taryn Painter ’22 exploring bookstores in Alexandria, Virginia

Tigers overdue it

The TU community crushed this year’s summer reading challenge with more than 500 Tigers participating in the second-annual event. Nearly half of those who took part completed the challenge, reading a total of 1,129 unique titles by 847 different authors. Popular writers from last year, including Sarah J. Maas and Freida McFadden, continued to top the leaderboard in 2025, with Elin Hilderbrand and Stephen King close behind.

In addition to the virtual challenge, Tigers embraced our first in-person book swap in September at The Ivy Bookshop, exchanging great stories—literally and figuratively. Participants in the challenge and swap raised more than $700 for the TU Reading Clinic.

Richard Holley

Volunteer of the year

In the spring, we recognized College of Health Professions graduate Richard Holley ’96 as our 2025 Alumni Volunteer of the Year. Holley has become a dedicated helper at TU over the past few years, welcoming new Tigers at summer send-offs, participating in our alumni postcard program, volunteering often at our quarterly service projects, picking produce at First Fruits Farm and packaging food boxes at the Salvation Army. Whether on campus or out in the community, Holley’s Tiger pride and generous spirit are always on display.