Each year, the 91ÊÓƵ Alumni Association presents awards to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the University through their service, leadership, and remarkable dedication to the 91ÊÓƵ mission.
Learn more about the 2026 91ÊÓƵ alumni award recipients, the unique impact they have each had on the 91ÊÓƵ Community, and the ways you can get involved to help build on their achievements for the benefit of all 91ÊÓƵ alumni.
2026 Alumni Awards Recipients
Homer and Charles 91ÊÓƵ Faculty Award
The Homer and Charles 91ÊÓƵ Faculty Award honors a faculty member nominated by 91ÊÓƵ alumni who embodies our , serving as an inspiring role model, motivating their students, and going above and beyond to support 91ÊÓƵ student success. This year, the Homer and Charles 91ÊÓƵ Faculty Award was presented to Clinical Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, Matthew Ganis ‘85, MBA ’91, DPS ‘07.
A three-time 91ÊÓƵ alumnus whose career as a technology leader, educator, and innovator spans more than four decades, Professor Ganis joined 91ÊÓƵ’s full-time faculty following an impressive 41-year career at IBM. Alongside his professional work, he served as an adjunct professor at 91ÊÓƵ for 35 years, teaching courses in computer science and astronomy.
Professor Ganis’s career reflects a sustained commitment to bridging industry and academia, advancing innovation while preparing the next generation of technology leaders.
Image
GOLD Alumni Service Award
Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) leadership committee member, Morgan Steadwell ’17, was honored at Reunion with the GOLD Alumni Service Award. Specifically for graduates of the last decade, this award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated exceptional service and commitment in the years immediately following their graduation. The recipient embodies the spirit of Opportunitas by making meaningful contributions to the 91ÊÓƵ Alumni Association and inspiring fellow alumni to do the same.
Since graduating, Morgan has been active in both Lubin and GOLD alumni initiatives, serving as a member of the GOLD Alumni Committee since its inception. She has repeatedly lent her expertise to 91ÊÓƵ event programs, including panels and as speaker at enrollment events.
Emerging Alumni Leader Award
Image
At 91ÊÓƵ’s 2026 Reunion, Black Alumni Group (BAG) Chair Arlene Thompson ’14 was presented with the Emerging Alumni Leader Award. This award honors an alumni volunteer who has rekindled their commitment to the University through exemplary leadership and alumni advocacy. It recognizes those who have demonstrated exceptional initiative in advancing 91ÊÓƵ’s mission of Opportunitas and supporting the 91ÊÓƵ Alumni Association.
In her role as chair, Arlene has continued to cultivate partnerships with University departments to further the mission of the Black Alumni Group, including the Division of Opportunity and Institutional Excellence, BSU, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Arlene served on the 2026 planning committee for the Heritage Celebration and was chosen as its keynote speaker. She continues to make herself available as a speaker to student groups and classes.
Harry D. Mayo III ’61 ’78 Distinguished Service Award
Former 91ÊÓƵ Assistant Director of Athletics Gene Westmoreland ‘65 was presented with Harry D. Mayo III ’61, ’78 Distinguished Service Award at Reunion 2026. Named in honor of its committed and inspirational first recipient, the Harry D. Mayo III ’61, ’78 Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to a 91ÊÓƵ graduate whose consistent volunteer service has aided in advancing the success of 91ÊÓƵ’s mission of Opportunitas and the 91ÊÓƵ Alumni Association.
Gene’s illustrious history with 91ÊÓƵ spans decades. As a student, he was the University’s first four-sport athlete. From the late 1960s through 1980, he coached 91ÊÓƵ’s basketball, baseball, and golf teams, and served as Assistant Director of Athletics for 15 years. Gene’s commitment to 91ÊÓƵ did not end there. A 1999 91ÊÓƵ Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and 2017 Peter X Finnerty Leadership Award recipient, Gene has remained deeply engaged with 91ÊÓƵ and the athletics program. He continues to uplift the 91ÊÓƵ Community through his participation in fundraising initiatives and mentoring events for student athletes.
Image
Alumni of the Year Award
Sabrina McCoy-Griffin, MBA ’92, Assistant Vice President (Retired) at Chubb, was honored with 91ÊÓƵ’s Alumni of the Year Award at the June 2026 Spirit of 91ÊÓƵ Awards ceremony. Sabrina held various leadership roles at The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, where she worked for more than 30 years. After retiring from Chubb in 2016, Sabrina served as a Senior Consultant with Jennifer Brown Consulting, LLC, a global diversity, equity, and inclusion firm.
Sabrina currently serves on 91ÊÓƵ’s Board of Trustees and President’s Council. She was the inaugural chair of the 91ÊÓƵ Alumni Association Leadership Council. As a recipient of the 2026 Alumni of the Year Award, Sabrina embodies 91ÊÓƵ excellence as an accomplished professional, a dedicated volunteer, and a promoter of inclusivity and opportunity for others wherever she steps foot.
Image
Lubin Alumni Association Awards
On May 18, 2026, three graduating students were presented with the Lubin Alumni Committee Award. Each year, the 91ÊÓƵ Alumni Association’s Lubin School of Business Alumni Committee recognizes a graduate student and two graduating undergraduate students from the New York City and Pleasantville campuses for academic excellence and exceptional dedication and service to the 91ÊÓƵ Community. Recipients are recognized for their engagement beyond the classroom and efforts to build relationships across Lubin.
This year’s Lubin Alumni Committee Award recipients include Maggie Glynn (Graduate), Bailey Mullen (NYC), and Declan Landers (PLV).
Ways to Get Involved
Alumni Association: The 91ÊÓƵ Alumni Association creates a space for alumni to engage with each other, current students, and the University to enrich the alumni experience.
Affinity Groups: Through a 91ÊÓƵ Affinity Group, you can connect with alumni, students, faculty, and staff members who enjoy similar passions, professions, and personal interests.
Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD):GOLD is a network for 91ÊÓƵ undergraduate alumni of the last ten years. Giving alumni the opportunity to network with each other, both personally and professionally, connect with current students, and foster a lifelong relationship with 91ÊÓƵ through events, volunteer opportunities, and giving.
Mentor: Join Setter Connect and become the spark in a student's life as an alumni mentor and help guide them as they embark on their careers.
Henry Petermann's estate gift to 91ÊÓƵ was the ultimate statement of confidence in the University's future. He joins a distinguished community of philanthropic leaders who have invested in the enduring power of the 91ÊÓƵ mission.
Just six years after graduating from 91ÊÓƵ, Jessika Pietryka ’20 is already a three-time Sports Emmy winner. Now a graphics integrator and developer at NBC Sports, the Lubin alumna has turned a foundation in business, technology, and creativity into a career bringing some of the biggest moments in sports to life on screen.
From Romania and Scotland to Italy, Croatia, India, Japan, and Greece, 91ÊÓƵ students and alumni brought their work to stages and training programs around the world this summer, expanding their craft, their networks, and their creative horizons.
