Eagle alumni receive award recognition

Whether they are making an impact in their profession, their community or in keeping Eagle pride alive with their friends, MSU alumni take the lessons and experience from their years as Eagle students and positively apply it in their everyday lives. At the annual Decades Brunch held during MSU’s Homecoming Weekend, three alumni were honored with new awards for their contributions.

Two Eagle alumni received 2018 Notable Alumni Recognition for their demonstrated success in their career fields and/or communities. This year’s recipients were Dorron Hunter (82) and Denise Taylor (88).

Dorron Hunter of Cincinnati is a mentor of at-risk youth through the Future Leaders Youth Group. Through his work with the group, he encourages students to steer clear of violence and focus on their education. He directs many of his kids to Morehead State and almost yearly brings a busload of students to visit MSU, attend a football game and experience the campus he knows and loves.

Denise Taylor of Louisville is a special event coordinator, motivational speaker and author. She created the national movement of Wacky Wednesday, a weekly spirit-lifting program that originated when her late daughter, Jonnae, was in the hospital with leukemia. She is the founder of We GET To, a nonprofit organization for cancer patients and survivors started in honor of her daughter’s memory. Taylor’s award was accepted by her friend and Chi Omega sister, Joyce Stevens (89).

MSU also presented the 2018 Eagle Spirit Award to an alum who is a proud and active Eagle who regularly demonstrates Eagle Pride through attending MSU events, participating in student recruitment, encouraging active support of MSU among peers and/or representing the University in a positive manner. This year’s recipient was Ray Magnifico (68).

Ray Magnifico of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, is a retired high school guidance counselor who volunteered to serve as a reunion coordinator for MSU alumni of his era. For more than a decade, Magnifico has organized an annual alumni reunion of classmates at MSU Homecoming. What began as a small group of a dozen Eagles has now grown to include more than 50 returning alumni from states as far away as New Jersey, Texas and Nevada. Magnifico’s award was accepted by his long-time friend Stephen Weiss (67).

To nominate fellow Eagles for future awards, visit the alumni awards page.

For more information on MSU alumni and how to become an active alum, contact the Office of Alumni Relations & Development at 606-783-2033, email alumni@moreheadstate.edu or visit www.moreheadstate.edu/alumni.
 

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Top photo: Dorron Hunter (82), left, and MSU President Dr. Jay Morgan
Middle photo: MSU Alumni Association President Jason Marion (04), Joyce Stevens (89), Mona Sabie Womack (86) - MSU Alumni Association president-elect, and Dr. Morgan.
Bottom photo: Stephen Weiss (67), Womack and Dr. Morgan.