Jacksonville University Celebrates 2026 Distinguished Alumni

Each year, Jacksonville University recognizes a new class of alumni who personify the highest ideals of leadership, service and lifelong connection to their alma mater. The University honored its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients during Return to the River Homecoming & Family Weekend. Nominated by their peers, the honorees exemplify exceptional professional achievement, service to their communities and continued engagement with the Dolphin community.

Clay Meux Jr. '91
Distinguished Alumni of Excellence Award
Class of 1991, Trustee since May 2024

Clay Meux is managing director and chairman of the board of directors at Rogers Towers, where he is a shareholder in the estates and trusts practice, representing clients throughout Florida. He earned a bachelor's degree in English, with a minor in history, from Jacksonville University in 1991 and a law degree from Stetson University. His legal career includes fellowships with the American Bar Foundation and the Florida Bar Foundation, previous service with the city of Jacksonville's Office of General Counsel and the Florida Bar Probate Rules Committee, and leadership roles with elder law committees for the American Bar Association and the Jacksonville Bar Association. Meux has been recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer and named to The Best Lawyers in America for trusts and estates. In 2026, he received the Lawyer of the Year distinction for elder care, an honor determined through a peer review process.

Meux is also deeply committed to civic and academic service. He serves on the board of trustees of Columbia Theological Seminary and previously chaired the Downtown Ecumenical Services Council and served on the board of Riverside Presbyterian Day School. A 2011 graduate of Leadership Jacksonville, he remains active in the local community as a youth basketball coach and former co-chair of the Riverside Presbyterian Basketball League. He is also a steadfast supporter of Jacksonville University's men's basketball program.

Dr. Margaret "Meg" Ripley '74
Distinguished Alumni of Excellence Award
Class of 1974

Margaret "Meg" Ripley is a retired orthopedic surgeon with more than 45 years of experience diagnosing and treating patients in Jacksonville and Atlantic Beach. Throughout her career, she provided specialized medical care to the Northeast Florida community. Ripley graduated from Jacksonville University in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in biology before earning her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.

A devoted JU supporter, Ripley has maintained a presence at university functions, trips, athletic events and other activities for more than 50 years. Her commitment to her alma mater extends beyond attending events. She and fellow alumni have organized outreach efforts and hosted New Year's Eve reunions every five years for graduates from the classes of 1974 through 1978. She has also championed University initiatives, including the Ted Allen and Bill Robertson Scholarship.

Judy Maness and Ron Whillacker
Distinguished Alumni of Excellence Award
Class of 1969 and Class of 1995

Judy Maness graduated from Jacksonville University in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in political science before earning a master's degree in health administration from Duke University. Her trailblazing career in health care leadership spanned decades, including service as vice president of operations at Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville and, ultimately, president and CEO of Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center in New York. A Life Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Maness has dedicated significant time to community service through her work on numerous boards and support of organizations such as the Girl Scouts and regional health task forces. She continues to contribute her expertise to JU as a member of the Future. Made. Committee and chair of the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences Advisory Board.

Whillacker's path to JU reflects a lifelong commitment to growth and service. After serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and working internationally in health care, he returned to higher education and graduated from Jacksonville University in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in political science.

Together, Maness and Whillacker support programs across JU, including the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences, student scholarships and JU Athletics. Their continued involvement reflects their commitment to the University and its students.

Andrea Foschi '18, '20
Scott Amos Recent Alumnus of Distinction Award
Class of 2018 and 2020

Andrea Foschi graduated from Jacksonville University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and earned a Master of Business Administration in 2020. Recognized as one of the Davis College of Business' Top 40 students, he was actively involved in campus life, serving as external vice president of Pi Kappa Alpha and earning recognition on the dean's list. He was also involved in the Order of Omega and the Circle of Green and Gold.

Today, Foschi is a Jacksonville-based entrepreneur who owns and operates Bottega Sirvino, a boutique wine import and distribution company in Ponte Vedra Beach that specializes in bringing Italian wines to the United States.

Foschi is the son of Jacksonville University trustee Laura Angelini and Davide Foschi.

Julius Richardson '16, '19
Scott Amos Recent Alumnus of Distinction Award
Class of 2016 and 2019

Julius Richardson served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 13 years before transitioning to a career spanning more than 20 years in global human resources leadership and executive management. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in business management and marketing and a Master of Science in organizational leadership from Jacksonville University. His professional experience includes leadership positions with TEKsystems, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and Crowley.

Richardson is the founder and CEO of SunRise Talent Solutions and a partner at Peoplyst. He serves on the board of the Society for Human Resource Management's Jacksonville chapter and the Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses. He also speaks at industry conferences and leadership events, including DisruptHR events in Jacksonville and Orlando. Richardson is a contributing author of the bestselling book "How to Speak Civilian Fluently," which offers practical guidance for veterans transitioning from military service to civilian careers.

As president of the Jacksonville University Black Alumni Executive Committee, Richardson works to strengthen alumni engagement, build connections among graduates, mentor current students and young alumni, and support initiatives that advance diversity, inclusion and student success. Through his leadership, he helps foster a stronger alumni community and encourages graduates to remain involved with JU and invest in future generations of Dolphins.

Audrey Koecher Nichols '05
Outstanding Military Alumnus of Distinction Award
Class of 2005

Audrey Koecher Nichols graduated from Jacksonville University in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in international business and Spanish. She graduated summa cum laude as a Presidential Merit Scholar and was involved in campus organizations, including Alpha Delta Pi, the Panhellenic Council, Phi Kappa Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa and the Order of Omega. She later graduated cum laude from Florida State University College of Law and earned a Master of Laws in environmental law from The George Washington University Law School, graduating with highest honors.

Nichols is an experienced military attorney who serves as legislative counsel for the U.S. Navy Office of Legislative Affairs at the Pentagon. In this role, she manages the Navy's legislative strategy for its environment, energy and natural resources portfolio. Her career with the Navy has also included serving as deputy legal counsel to the chief of naval personnel, advising on promotions, ethics and congressional inquiries, and as deputy region environmental counsel for Navy Region Southwest, where she advised on federal environmental compliance laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act.

Earlier in her career, Nichols held leadership positions with the Office of the Judge Advocate General and the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. She also served as staff judge advocate aboard the USNS Comfort during Operation Continuing Promise, a humanitarian mission in which she was the mission commander's principal legal adviser.

Lorri and Mark Milovich
Tim and Stephanie Cost Giving Back Giving Forward Award
Class of 1992, Parents of the Classes '22 and '27

Lorri and Mark Milovich are committed to community service, philanthropy and giving back to Jacksonville University. The couple met on campus and graduated in 1992, with Mark earning a Bachelor of Business Administration and Lorri earning a Bachelor of Science in accounting. During their time at JU, Mark was a member of Phi Gamma Delta, and both were members of Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity.

The Milovich family's connection to JU spans generations. Their two sons are also Dolphins. Ryan is a Double Dolphin who earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and recently completed a law degree. Brandon is an aviation student in the Class of 2027.

Mark and Lorri have served on the JU President's Parents Council since 2018. Their philanthropic support includes contributions to the College of Law, the Ice Hockey Club, JU's greatest needs and the JU Scholarship Fund.

Mark spent decades at Lift Atlanta Inc., a material-handling equipment distributor, where he served as president until the company's sale to BMH Equipment in June 2024. He completed his transition from the company in early 2025. Lorri is a certified public accountant.