Alumni Awards

Each year, School of Business alumni are invited to submit nominations for our  Alumni Awards and vote for the Horace Kelly Alumni Teaching Award and the Kienzle Alumni Teaching Award.

The Judson D. DeRamus Distinguished Alumni Award

The Judson D. DeRamus Distinguished Alumni Award was established in 1984 and recognizes Wake Forest University School of Business alumni for achievement in their profession, commitment to the School, and service to the community. Alumni – and others – are invited to submit nominations throughout the year. 

The award is named after the first recipient, Judson D. DeRamus Sr. DeRamus was a graduate of the University of Alabama and served as a lieutenant during World War I – for which he received the Purple Heart – and commander of an anti-aircraft battalion during World War II. Following the wars, he served as a commander of the Army Reserve Unit in Winston-Salem and retired as a colonel. DeRamus was also the chief attorney for the Veteran’s Administration Office in Charlotte, North Carolina. He came to Winston-Salem to set up the local Veteran’s Administration Office which, under his direction as manager, became the Regional Office of North Carolina. Upon his retirement in 1965, he received the Distinguished Career Award from the Veteran’s Administration. DeRamus joined the staff of the Babcock Graduate School of Management as a consulting associate where he remained active until his death. 

Previous winners:

1984 – Judson D. DeRamus; 1985 – R. Vaughn Hayes (MBA ’78); 1987 – Eugene C. Pridgen (MBA ’75, JD ’78, P ’01, P ’19; 1988 – Donald E. Flow (MBA ’83); 1993 – Gay Nell Hutchens (MBA ’88); 2002 – Catherine E. Green (’74, MBA ’82); 2005 – David W. Dupree (MBA ’78, P ’20, P ’22); 2023 – Emily Batista (MSBA ’18).

Nomination criteria:

• Nominees must have graduated from any Wake Forest University School of Business undergraduate or graduate program at least five years prior to the award year. For 2024, the nominees must have graduated in 2019 or earlier.
• Nominees must have demonstrated progressive growth, achievement in, and contribution to their chosen field.
• Nominees must have engaged with and supported the Wake Forest School of Business through Loyal DEAC (Discover, Engage, Advocate and Commit) pillars. 
• Nominees must show consistent demonstration of Pro Humanitate service.
• The award recipient will be invited to the Alumni Awards Reception, held during Alumni Weekend, for a presentation of the award. 

The Center for Analytics Impact Alumni Award

This annual award recognizes a Wake Forest School of Business alumnus who has made an impact on an organization through the effective use of analytics. Alumni – and others – are invited to submit nominations throughout the year.

Previous winners:

2023 – Sean Clune (MSBA ’18)

Nomination criteria:

• Nominees (self-nominations welcome) must have graduated from a School of Business undergraduate or graduate program.
• Nominations should be for completed projects that have produced significant, verifiable and preferably quantifiable impact for the organization using analytics.
• The Center for Analytics Impact will identify finalists for a follow-up conversation to more specifically understand the value created from the analytics, the return on investment for the effort, and the difficulties (technical, managerial or political) faced in the effort.
• The award recipient will be invited to the Alumni Awards Reception, held during Alumni Weekend, for a presentation of the award. 
• The award recipient may be invited to Alumni Weekend to give a talk on the project and its impact.
• Please note, analytics is a “team sport” so the nominated project can be a team project. If so, the nominee should have played a significant role and be able to discuss the project.

The Allegacy Center for Leadership & Character Excellence in Leadership Alumni Award

This annual award recognizes a School of Business alumnus who has demonstrated exceptional leadership within an organization or community and has a proven record of leading organizations to achieve results with integrity. Alumni – and others – are invited to submit nominations throughout the year. 

Nomination criteria:

• Nominees must have graduated from any Wake Forest University School of Business undergraduate or graduate program at least five years prior to the award year. For 2024, the nominees must have graduated in 2019 or earlier.
• Nominees must present themselves as an excellent role model of Wake Forest’s values and behaviors in their personal and professional endeavors.
• Nominees must show consistent demonstration of Pro Humanitate through innovative and motivational leadership.
• Nominees should promote a work environment that is respectful, inclusive, collegial and supportive, where they foster achievement, inspire trust and credibility.
• Nominees must be actively involved in mentorship and development of others.
• Nominees must have engaged with and supported the Wake Forest School of Business through Loyal DEAC (Discover, Engage, Advocate and Commit) pillars.
• The award recipient will be invited to the Alumni Awards Reception, held during Alumni Weekend, for a presentation of the award. 

Horace Kelly Alumni Teaching Award

Undergraduate alumni from 10 years ago vote on which faculty member contributed to their education and personal development. Recipients must be a current faculty member and must have taught during the tenure of polled alums. Alumni who are eligible to vote will receive an email with additional voting information.

Previous winners:

2004 – Dale Martin; 2011 – Sheri Bridges & Clay Hipp; 2012 – Arun Dewasthal; 2013 – Bill Marcum; 2014 – James Cotter; 2015 – Dale Martin; 2018 – George Aldhizer; 2019 – George Aldhizer; 2022 – Bren Varner; 2023 – Cynthia Tessien.

Kienzle Alumni Teaching Award

MBA, MSA and MSM alumni from 3 years ago vote on which faculty member contributed to their education and personal development. Recipients must be a current faculty member and must have taught during the tenure of polled alums. Alumni who are eligible to vote will receive an email with additional voting information.

Previous winners:

2000 – Ram Baliga; 2012 – Sherry Moss & Jon Pinder; 2013 – Derrick Boone; 2014 – Ram Baliga & Jon Pinder; 2018 – Tim Janke; 2019 – Jim Willis; 2022 – Roger Beahm & Tim Janke; 2023 – Kenny Herbst.