Alumni Awards

Alumni Awards

Each year, the Marist Alumni Association recognizes extraordinary individuals for their exceptional service to Marist School and to the community.

2024 Distinguished Alumni Award

List of 3 items.

  • Omari L. Hardwick ’92

    Omari L. Hardwick ’92 is an actor and the founder of the multimedia production company BRAVELIFE. With a magnetic presence on screen and stage, Hardwick brings out the authenticity of his characters. He gained widespread recognition for his leading role in the Starz series “POWER”, earning the prestigious National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series in 2018, 2019, and 2020. His one-man show, “HerO: A Work in Progress”, showcased his talent for storytelling, drawing from his personal journey as a Black man growing up in Georgia.

    A co-founder of The Lost Angels Actors’ Lounge and honorary founding member of Da Poetry Lounge at the Greenway Court Theatre of Los Angeles, Hardwick has played an integral role in fostering artistic communities and providing platforms for emerging talent. His dedication to his craft extends beyond acting, as demonstrated by his creation of the podcast “Poetics”, where he delves into the intricacies of poetry and verse alongside notable figures in rap music.

    Hardwick's commitment to service is evident through his notable actions. He is the co-founder of The Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network, an after-school spoken word program serving students in Broward and Miami-Dade County Public Schools through the Jason Taylor Foundation. In 2020, he was honored to accompany the late Congressman John Lewis during his final march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Hardwick was named the inaugural recipient of the John Lewis Service for Humanity Award by the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Sigma Sigma Chapter in 2023. This award celebrates his outstanding contributions to society, particularly through his work in education, youth development, and philanthropy.

    Hardwick’s journey into the entertainment industry began after attending the University of Georgia, where he also played football. He briefly pursued a professional football career with the San Diego Chargers before relocating to Los Angeles. Through his remarkable ability to transcend audiences and mediums, Omari L. Hardwick ’92 inspires and entertains audiences worldwide.

  • About the Distinguished Alumni Award

    To honor and publicly recognize an individual alumni for achievements that demonstrate the qualities of the Marist Mission present in his/her life. Such an individual should incorporate the values and principles upon which Marist School was founded into all aspects of his/her life including, but not limited to, business and civic affairs. Such recognition thereby brings to the attention of Marist School and the general public those individuals whose success reflects favorably upon the school; and brings to the attention of the student body those persons whose achievements might serve as inspiration for future generations.

    Criteria 

    The recipient may be a man or woman who is a graduate of Marist School and possesses the following qualifications: (a) Leadership/Recognition in his/her chosen profession and (b) Recognition in the community for leadership in civic and/or religious affairs.

  • Previous Award Recipients

    2023: Christa-Marie Singleton MD, MPH, FACPM, ’83
    2022: Catherine "Kit" Hoover Sullivan '88
    2020: Sean P. McVay '04
    2019: Dr. Monya A. Ruffin-Nash '92
    2018: Christopher M. Carr '90
    2017: Paul Muldawer '50 
    2016: Mary Humann Judson '84
    2015: William G. Roche '76
    2014: Bret Baier '88
    2013: Richard Stanton "Dick" White, Jr. '52 
    2012: Rev. James Lawrence Harrison, III '46
    2011: Ernie Johnson, Jr. '74
    2010: Gordon J. Azar, M.D. '52
    2009: John B. Attanasio '72
    2008: Frank J. McCloskey '68
    2007: R.J. “Jim” Griffin, Jr. ’62 
    2006: H. Hamilton Smith ’53 
    2005: M.P. “Pat” Greene, Jr. ’48 
    2004: Edward J. Fechtel, Jr. ’53 
    2003: James A. Kelly ’54 
    2002: Dr. Joseph A. Snitzer ’49 
    2001: Charles W. Harrison ’48 
    2000: Paul V. Applegarth ’64 
    1999: Richard H. Leike ’60 
    1998: Dr. William C. Waters ’46 
    1997: W. Terence Walsh ’61 
    1996: Hon. Philip F. Etheridge ’60 
    1995: Herbert J. Dickson ’43 
    1994: William W. Murphy ’39 
    1993: Francis J. Manley ’48 
    1992: John H. Kelly ’57 
    1991: Richard J. Reynolds ’52 
    1990: James S. Carroll ’61 
    1989: Julian B. Mohr ’48 
    1988: Frank S. McGaughey, Jr. ’41
    1987 : Charles A. Fitzgerald ’41 
    1986: Robert Strickland ’44 
    1985: R. Carl “Hap” Chandler ’35 
    1984: Lindsey Hopkins, Jr. ’23 
    1983: William J. McAlpin ’23 
    1982: Michael G. Walsh ’60 
    1981: A.V. Gude ’39 
    1980: Donald Oberdorfer ’18 
    1979: Alex Smith ’41 
    1978: Emory Cocke ’15 
    1977: George Craft ’27

2024 Outstanding Young Alumni Award

List of 3 items.

  • Spencer L. Mitchell '09

    Spencer L. Mitchell '09 is the CEO of TruckerCloud, a venture-backed software company. He is also the board chair and cofounder of Heads up for Harry, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young adults and their families impacted by mental illness. Alongside his wife, Katie Athaide Mitchell ’09, and other Marist School and University of Georgia alumni, Mitchell established this organization in memory of their classmate Harrison Willingham ’09. With a budget exceeding $200,000, Heads up for Harry implements programs within colleges, national fraternity organizations, and high schools, including at Marist School, and impacts thousands of young people and their families across Georgia. 

    Mitchell earned his bachelor’s degree in genetics in the Honors Program at the University of Georgia. His professional journey began in consulting for cancer centers and nonprofits at PricewaterhouseCoopers. As CEO of TruckerCloud, Mitchell has spearheaded remarkable growth elevating trucking software into a leading startup within the trucking insurance sector and catering to top insurers nationwide. His achievements underscore his dedication to service and unwavering optimism, driving the transformation of innovative ideas into thriving organizations that enrich both local communities and national industries. 

  • About the Outstanding Young Alumni Award

    To recognize a young alumni whose achievements in career and/or service to the community have demonstrated excellence. Service or support of Marist School is also a consideration.

    Criteria

    The recipient must be an alumni of Marist School who graduated no more than 20 years ago, and who demonstrates excellence in career and/or service to the community.

  • Previous Award Recipients

    2023: Colin S. Muething, PhD, BCBA-D, ’03
    2022: Margaret M. Mullins '06
    2020: Kenneth C. Brinson, Jr. '15
    2019: Greg Benoit '02
    2018: Dr. Barbara Overend McElhanon '98
    2017: Titania Gibson Jordan '99
    2016: John Lanier '04
    2015: Wynne P. Kelly '96
    2014: Leigh Torrence, Jr. '00
    2013: Matt Harpring '94
    2012: Michael D. Moroski '97
    2011: Adam M. Murphy '93
    2010: Michael J. Cascone '92
    2009: K. Benjamin "Ben" Lawder '00
    2008: W. Alec Millen '88

2024 Father Hartnett Service Award

List of 3 items.

  • Grace Starling ’12

    Grace Starling ’12 is an employment and civil rights attorney at Radford Scott LLP. In both 2023 and 2024, she was honored by her peers in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America in Labor and Employment Law and Litigation. Before representing employees, she served as a staff attorney at the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta. As an advocate, Grace has led grassroots movements at state and national levels to oppose legislation harmful to sexual assault and gender-based violence survivors.  

    Starling graduated magna cum laude from Agnes Scott College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Art History. She continued her education at Georgia State University College of Law, graduating magna cum laude, ranking in the top 10% of her class, and receiving numerous honors and awards. She was also a pupil in the Bleckley Inn of Court and competed as a member of the Georgia State University College of Law Moot Court Team. 

    Starling is actively involved in volunteering at both Agnes Scott and Marist School. At Marist, she is the Alumni Board vice president and co-chair of the Service and Spirituality Committee. She has dedicated herself to pursuing justice and empowering those in need. Through her volunteer work, advocacy efforts, and career, she embodies the spirit of service, striving for the betterment of individuals and communities. 

  • About the Father Hartnett Service Award

    To bring public recognition to an individual alumni or friend who has distinguished him/herself by demonstrating exemplary service to Marist School. Through said service, the individual has revealed that the values and principles upon which Marist School was founded and the qualities of the Marist Mission are present in his/her life. Such recognition thereby brings to the attention of Marist School and the general public those individuals whose success reflects favorably upon the school; and brings to the attention of the student body those persons whose achievements might serve as inspiration for future generations.

    Criteria 

    The recipient must be a man or woman who is a graduate or friend of Marist School. The recipient should have demonstrated exemplary service to Marist School.

  • Previous Award Recipients

    2023: Kelleen C. Fitzgerald, MD, ’85
    2022: Mark F. Galvin '85
    2020: Mr. James B. Roberts '99
    2019: Mrs. Natalie Smith Childs '86
    2018: Mrs. Megan Citarella Stewart '95
    2017: Dr. Sarah Carr Evans '93 
    2016: Mr. Stephen M. Raeber
    2015: Mr. C. Knox Withers '96
    2014: Ms. Dee Lane Eades '79
    2013: Mr. Albert Michael Ashkouti '61 
    2012: Mr. Patrick Crawford '77
    2011: Mr. Brooks A. "Tony" Nicholson '58
    2010: Mrs. Marianne Ravry McDevitt '89
    2009: Mr. William J. "Joe" Bruckner '62
    2008: Mr. Michael S, Reeves '67
    2007: Mr. William “Bill” M. Rich ’59
    2006: Mr. Timothy J. Cambias, Sr.
    2005: Mrs. Celine Sherman Stribling ’78 
    2004: Mr. Asbury Snow
    2003: Mr. J. Robert Fitzgerald 
    2002: Mr. John J. Tarleton, Jr. ’51 
    2001: Mr. George V. Belkofer ’62 
    2000: Mr. Mark W. Hennessy ’72 
    1999: Mr. Clarence H. Smith ’68 
    1998: Mr. Thomas O’Haren 
    1997: Mr. Michael W. Trapp 
    1996: Mr. H. Timothy McKane ’65 
    1995: Mr. E. H. Mattingly, Sr. 
    1994: Mr. E. Vincent McMahon ’31 
    1993: Mr. R. Reid Trapani 
    1992: Mr. Bill Medbery ’71 
    1991: Mr. R. William Murray ’65 & Rev. Charles F. Brogley, S.M. 
    1990: Mr. William Jordan ’35
All alumni, parents of alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to nominate an individual for each of the awards described below. Each January, a Nominating Committee will review the entries and select recipients based on the criteria listed here. Recipients are announced in the spring of that year.

Marist School

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An Independent Catholic School of the Marist Fathers and Brothers