UC Recognizes Outstanding Alumni

Congratulations to three very special alumni who were honored as our 2025 Alumni Award Recipients. We appreciate their role as outstanding ambassadors for Morris Harvey/UC and their ongoing support of their alma mater.

Dianne (Deon) Clements, '64

Alumnus of the Year 2025

Deon Clements has always been connected to Morris Harvey College, now the University of Charleston. Growing up on McCorkle Avenue, the campus was quite literally in her backyard until her senior year of high school.

In 1964, she earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in marketing and business education.

Deon began her teaching career at the West Virginia Department of Rehabilitation in Institute. The following year, she joined the faculty at Charleston High School, where, after about ten years, she was named Department Head. In 1985, she was recognized as the Outstanding Business Education Teacher in West Virginia. When Charleston High closed, she transitioned to Capital High School, where she served as the Vocational Computer Lab Coordinator and Business Education Department Head.

Her involvement with her sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII), began in the late 1960s and early 1970s when she was asked to serve as an advisor. Soon after, she developed a database for the Phi Kappa chapter of AOII, contributing to its long-term recordkeeping and organization.

Deon retired from teaching in 1998 and embraced opportunities to travel. She enjoyed a Western Caribbean cruise and two memorable trips to Europe-the first to France, Spain, and Belgium, and the second covering nine additional countries.

In her community, Deon has been active with the Shepherd Center of Charleston, where she served on the board and completed a six-year term as treasurer. She has also remained engaged with her Charleston High School Class of 1960, serving as data coordinator. Additionally, she has taken on the role of data coordinator for the Kanawha County Association of Retired School Employees, helping to plan meetings and communicate with more than 200 members.

Her loyalty to UC has never wavered. When Dr. Welch established the National Advisory Board, Deon helped organize the group and served as secretary until shortly before it was disbanded. She has held season tickets to UC basketball games for many years and is a member of the UC Builders.

For Deon, involvement with Morris Harvey College and the University of Charleston has been a lifelong commitment-one that continues to this day.

David Kurtz '80
Alumnus of the Year 2025

David graduated from UC in 1980 with a degree in political science. During his time on campus, he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, a founding member of the Student Activities Board, a member of the rowing team, a competitor on the national finalist UC College Bowl academic team, and president of the Student Government.

After graduation, David continued his education at West Virginia University, where he earned a master's degree in public administration and a law degree.

His career included positions at NASA headquarters and the U.S. Treasury Department. Following his retirement, he served more than two years in the Peace Corps-making sure to return home for UC Homecoming during that time.

David has also given back to his community, serving on the Wood County Board of Education and the West Virginia School Boards Association.

For over four decades, David has been a dedicated and active alumnus. He was chosen for the National Alumni Board and served as president in 2014. He holds an annual membership in the UC Alumni Association, regularly attends alumni and athletic events in Charleston, across the state, and beyond, and has hosted several alumni gatherings, including last fall's event in Morgantown.

David continues to be a valued resource for university history, and the Alumni Office is grateful for his advocacy and promotion of all things UC.

Chyress Obegron, '16

Young Alumnus of the Year 2025

Chyress Obregon is a proud 2016 graduate of the University of Charleston and a former UC Women's Basketball player. Chyress holds a degree in Biochemistry and continues to embody the values of hard work, perseverance, and service she cultivated during her time at UC.

While attending UC, Chyress found a mentor in Tom Minturn, owner of the Southridge and South Charleston Chick-fil-A restaurants. After graduation, she stayed in Charleston, where she advanced to Director of Operations at the Southridge location. In 2019, she joined Chick-fil-A's Corporate Leadership Development Program, traveling across the country to build and train teams while helping launch new restaurant locations. Her journey involved a rigorous 10-interview process before being chosen as the Owner/Operator of Chick-fil-A at Beachwood Place Mall in Beachwood, Ohio-a Cleveland suburb close to home.

Over the course of her career, Chyress has successfully revitalized a struggling location, turning challenges into opportunities through strategic leadership and resilience. She has been recognized with Chick-fil-A's Symbol of Success Award for her outstanding sales growth and is now preparing to expand into a larger location in Streetsboro, Ohio.
Beyond her professional achievements, Chyress serves as a member of Chick-fil-A's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, helping foster a culture of belonging and growth across the organization.

She continues to support UC Athletics and will return to campus this fall as a featured presenter in the MBA Speaker Series, where she will share her inspiring journey and be recognized as the Rising Alumnus during a UC basketball game.