Distinguished Alumni Awards
Each year the Alumni Association honors alumni whose success and involvement make us all proud. The Shenandoah University Alumni Association invites nominations for candidates for the Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Nominations may be submitted by filling out the nomination form online, or by contacting the Office of Donor & Alumni Relations at alums@su.edu.
Dedicated to our “Rising Stars,” this honor recognizes alumni under the age of 35 who have already reached significant milestones and demonstrated exceptional promise within their chosen profession or industry.
This award honors alumni who have dedicated their lives—whether through their career or volunteerism—to the greater good. It recognizes those whose contributions have tangibly bettered their community, state, nation, or the world at large.
This honor recognizes the “Ultimate Ambassadors” of Shenandoah. It is reserved for alumni who demonstrate an unwavering, selfless commitment to the institution, serving the university in extraordinary ways that ensure its continued growth and success.
This award celebrates distinguished alumni who have reached the pinnacle of their careers. It honors those who serve as industry leaders and have a proven record of outstanding accomplishments and excellence in their specific field.
As the highest honor bestowed upon an alum, this award recognizes a legacy of excellence. It celebrates a lifetime of “unique and significant” contributions across three pillars: professional mastery, profound service to Shenandoah University, and a deep, lasting commitment to community engagement.
2025 Alumni Award Winners
Alice Hammel ’87, ’99
Lifetime Achievement Award
Alice M. Hammel ’87, ’99 earned a Bachelor of Music in music education and a Doctor of Musical Arts in music education from Shenandoah Conservatory. In addition, she was awarded a Master of Music Education from Florida State University.
Alice is a music educator, author and clinician who currently serves as faculty member at the University of Arkansas. With experience teaching instrumental and choral music in public and private schools, she also travels to serve as an in-residence scholar. Her expertise in teaching ranges from musicianship, pedagogy and special education.
Kerry Devlin ’14, ’17
Young Career Professional Award
Kerry Devlin ’14, ’17 earned a Professional Studies Program for Music Therapy Certification Eligibility and a Master of Music Therapy from Shenandoah Conservatory. She also was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in music therapy from Aalborg University in Denmark.
Kerry is a senior music therapist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Music and Medicine. Passionate about disability justice, she focuses on inclusion through her clinical and teaching work. Kerry teaches inclusive music education pedagogy at the Peabody Institute and consults on accessible concert design. Her research has been published in Music Therapy Perspectives and Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports.
Nathaniel Gumbs ’09
Professional Achievement Award
Nathaniel Gumbs ’09 earned a Bachelor of Music in organ performance from Shenandoah Conservatory. He completed a Master of Music in organ performance and Certificate in Sacred Music from Yale University. In addition, Nathaniel was awarded a Doctor of Musical Arts in organ performance and literature from Eastman School of Music.
Nathaniel is a renowned concert organist known for his performances at various venues both in the United States and internationally. He served as the director of Chapel Music at Yale University, where he oversaw the music for three worshiping communities: the University Church in Battell Chapel, as well as Marquand Chapel and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale Divinity School. Currently, Nathaniel is the director of Music at Riverside Church in New York City.
Julie Judy ’14
Service to the Community Award
Julie Judy ’14 earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Shenandoah University. She is the co-founder and owner of The Recovery Connection. In response to losing her husband in 2018 due to substance abuse, Julie began fighting for legislation to improve the way emergency departments handle substance use related emergencies. TRC has served over 600 women with integrated substance use treatment.
Jeffrey “Jeff” Harding ’81
Service to the University Award
Jeffrey “Jeff” Harding ’81 earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Shenandoah College & Conservatory. He also earned a Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law.
Jeff is a decorated legal professional and Marine veteran who has had a 40-year career as a prosecutor and private attorney, earning numerous accolades. He is also a dedicated adjunct professor at Shenandoah University, where he founded a national mock trial program and donated the Harding Library of Law and History.