Outstanding
Alumni Award Winners
Donald Coleman, outstanding alumnus for 2016, earned his EMT-Paramedic certification from
Northeast State. He went on to earn his bachelor and master’s degrees from East Tennessee State University. During 20 years of service as a SWAT Team
paramedic and reserve police officer, Coleman participated in more than 100
SWAT missions and complied more than 4,260 volunteer hours. He has served Northeast State in a variety of roles since 1985, including assistant vice president of Academic Affairs and associate professor
of Emergency Medical Technology. Coleman graduated from Northeast State in 1987.
Dannette “Danni” Williams, outstanding alumna for 2015, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Wesleyan University.
Her career with Marriott International includes many roles in hotel management.
She is a past president of the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association, Rotary
International Atlanta Airport Club, and a former member on the Board of Directors
for Girls, Inc. Williams graduated from Northeast State in 2004.
Carson Waugh,
outstanding alumnus for 2014, is owner of Off The Waugh Productions.
After transferring to ETSU, Waugh graduated with a
bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He went on to serve locally as a
child and family counselor before deciding to pursue his passion for
motion picture and sound, establishing his production company in 2010. In addition to producing a
number of commercials for Northeast State, Waugh has
worked on projects in the national marketplace and has had
footage in a film that aired all over the world in 2012. Waugh graduated from Northeast State in 2005.
Dr. David Long,
outstanding alumnus for 2013, is now the Associate Director
Postgraduate at the University of Auckland’s Bioengineering
Institute and Department of Engineering Science. He has lived in New
Zealand since 2009. His research contributes to the field of
endothelial cell mechanobiology and heterogeneity as it relates to
health and disease. He is on the forefront of developing diagnostic
and therapeutic strategies in cardiovascular health. Dr. Long
graduated from Northeast State in 1992.
Matthew Hill,
outstanding alumnus for 2012, is the representative for Tennessee's
7th District, as well as Vice President of Operations for Information
Communications Corporation. Additionally, he is the host of the
nationally syndicated Matthew Hill Show on the IRN/USA Radio Network
and is heard as Mr. Matthew on the children's program Bible Buddies
on WHCB 91.5 FM. Representative Hill graduated from Northeast State
in 2001.
Mary Moore,
outstanding alumna for 2011, applies the art of science to chemistry
as a principal technologist in the Chemistry Research Laboratory at
Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport. Moore graduated from Northeast
State in 1991.
Duke Okes,
outstanding alumnus for 2010, formed his consulting company APLOMET
in 1985. This company provides quality systems and organizational
management consultation. Okes ranks as one of the most sought-after
experts in the global manufacturing industry. He graduated from
Northeast State in 1976.
Greg Walters,
outstanding alumnus for 2009, was named Northeast State’s Dean of
Student Development in 2012. He now provides administrative oversight
for the offices of Counseling and Testing Services, Health Services, Institutional Honors, Scholarship Programs and Student Needs, and Student Life. Thousands of Northeast State
students and graduates have enjoyed the guidance of Walters since he
began employment with the College in 1989. He graduated from
Northeast State in 2007.
Rayma Gibbs,
outstanding alumna for 2008, works in Northeast State’s Office of
Scholarship Programs and Student Needs. She has also started two scholarships for
Northeast State students: The Charlie and Rayma Gibbs Endowment
Scholarship and the Gibbs Family Annual Scholarship. Gibbs graduated
from Northeast State in 2003.
April Eads,
outstanding alumna for 2007, is a former engineering assistant turned
business development manager at Bristol Tennessee Essential Services
(BTES). Eads graduated from Northeast State in 2002.
Allen Hurley,
outstanding alumnus for 2006, founder and former chairman of
Touchstone Wireless, ranks as one of the most successful
entrepreneurs in the Northeast Tennessee region. He has served on the Northeast State Foundation Board of Directors in a variety of roles, including Vice Chair. Hurley graduated from Northeast State in 1993.
Robin Eller,
outstanding alumna for 2005, served as director of the Hallie Turner
Private School in Columbus, Ga., where she helped others secure their
futures through education. Eller graduated from Northeast State in
2000.
Becky Berry, outstanding alumna for 2004, served
as the second president of the Northeast State National Alumni Association from
2002 to 2005. Under her leadership, the Alumni Association expanded programming
to include sponsorship of both annual and endowed scholarship awards to
currently enrolled students. She was the first recipient of the Outstanding
Alumni Award. Berry graduated from Northeast State in 1999.
For more
information, please email mlhornsby@NortheastState.edu or call 423.279.7630.