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EKU Announces 2026 Best of Eastern Alumni Award Recipients

At the Alumni Awards as part of Homecoming weekend, EKU will recognize 14 alumni among the Best of Eastern for 2026, including Melanie Hudson, ’93, Arthur “Art” Lambert, ’72, and Andrew “Champ” Page, ’92, in the Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate EKU alumni who have created meaningful impact in their fields and communities. 

“Our alumni are the embodiment of EKU’s mission as the School of Opportunity,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “We’re proud to celebrate the 2026 Best of Eastern Alumni Award recipients. Their success shows what it means to be an EKU Colonel, grounded in service, opportunity and a passion for uplifting others.”

This year’s Best of Eastern highlights 14 EKU alumni in four categories of awards: Hall of Distinguished Alumni, Professional Achievement Award, Distinguished Service Award and Young Alumni Award.   

As EKU’s most prestigious alumni award, the Hall of Distinguished Alumni recognizes those who have achieved considerable success in their chosen fields, in their service to society and in their lifetime loyalty to EKU. The 2026 Hall of Distinguished Alumni inductees include: 

  • Melanie Hudson, ’93, retired senior vice president and chief commercial officer at Lexmark
  • Arthur “Art” Lambert, ’72, co-founder and vice chairman of S-One Holdings Corporation in Sarasota, Fl. 
  • Andrew ‘Champ’ Page, ’92, chief financial officer of Amer Sports

The Professional Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting service to their field, earning the respect and admiration of their peers and colleagues. The 2026 Professional Achievement Award recipients include:

  • Christopher Campion, ’16, founder and principal engineer of Trace Everett Associates, LLC, managing member of Eastern Fire & Safety, LLC and mayor of Spring Lake Heights, N.J.
  • Daniel Robinson, ’06, served a 20-year career in the U.S. Army and U.S. Space Force, most recently as commander of the 73rd Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Squadron with the United States Space Force

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes those who have demonstrated a heart of service with EKU or within their communities. Recipients of this award are giving of their time and talents in an effort to support awareness, facilitate growth and advocate for those around them. The 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipients include: 

  • Kyle Conte, ’10, founder of V.C. Veterans Contracting and Battalion Brands in Richmond, Ky. 
  • Tyler Hill, ’23, infrastructure project manager for Boone County Public Works in Burlington, Ky. 
  • Ruth Baker Lynch, ’78, retired elementary school teacher and district leader for Christian County Public Schools in Hopkinsville, Ky. 
  • Mike Mangeot, ’89, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Tourism in Frankfort, Ky. 
  • Tim McCubbin, ’77, retired from leadership roles at Levi Strauss & Co., helped launch the National Safe Place program in Henderson, Nev.

The Young Alumni Award recognizes individuals who graduated from EKU in the last 10 years or who are not yet 40 and have demonstrated exceptional talent in their professions. The 2026 Young Alumni Award recipients include: 

  • JP Fisher, ’15, disaster response director for Heart to Heart International in Kansas City, Kan. 
  • Larissa Heslop Harris, ’20, co-founder and CEO of BeRe Stewardship in Cleveland, Ohio
  • Ross Alan Holtsclaw, ’17, head golf professional at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa.
  • Dr. Katie Redmond, ’15, pediatrician, sports medicine physician and medical director of SOMC Sports Motion serving Maysville, Ky.

Award recipients are nominated by fellow alumni, friends or colleagues. Nominations are reviewed by the Alumni Awards and Recognition Committee, with final selections made by the EKU Alumni Association Board.

The 2026 Best of Eastern Awards will be presented on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Alumni Awards and Pioneer Celebration. For the full schedule of Homecoming weekend events, visit go.eku.edu/homecoming. 

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