Night of Distinction Celebrates McMurry Alumni Achievement

McMurry University honored ten alumni during the Alumni Achievement: Night of Distinction dinner on April 25, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the Garrison United Methodist Campus Center Mabee Room as part of McMurry's annual Spring Alumni Weekend.

"Welcoming alumni back to campus to honor all they have achieved is a special tradition at McMurry," University President Dr. Lynne Murray said. "This Night of Distinction recognized some of the best and brightest alumni who have embodied our core values throughout their careers."

The following awards were presented:

Outstanding Alumna in Business - Dr. Sara Graham '63

A 1963 graduate and a McMurry Trustee for 16 years, Graham was the lead donor in establishing the Johnson School of Business. Through the years she has generously established endowed scholarships for Hispanic women, an athletic endowment, and a fellowship in the business school. Recently she was a significant donor to the remodeled Garrison United Methodist Campus Center, was inducted into the Jay Society, was named to the McMurry 100 for impacting the university in its first 100 years and received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from McMurry. Graham oversees several businesses including the Graham McAlister Trusts, FM707 Self Storages, and ranching and registered cattle operations.

Outstanding Alumnus in Education - Rogelio Garcia '98

Rogelio Garcia is a teacher in Dallas ISD where he was named a National Milken Educator in 2010 and was twice awarded Teacher of the Year at his campus. With a background in sociology and education, he has dedicated his career to making a difference in the education of low-income children.

Outstanding Alumnus in Fine Arts - Brian Hecimovich '08

Brian Hecimovich has served as the head band director for Fredericksburg ISD since Fall 2021. Prior to joining Fredericksburg ISD, Hecimovich led band programs at Hondo, Blanco, and Spur High Schools, where he cultivated excellence in music education. His bands have earned numerous UIL sweepstakes awards, produced All-State musicians, qualified for State Solo and Ensemble competitions, achieved OPS State Finalist placements, and advanced to the UIL State Marching Contest with both Hondo and Fredericksburg High Schools. In recognition of his dedication to teaching, Brian was named Teacher of the Year at Blanco High School in 2017 and received the prestigious Lamar Medal for Educational Excellence. Beyond his classroom contributions, he currently serves as region coordinator for ATSSB Region 29/32 and is an active UIL concert and marching band judge.

Ann Spence Servant Leadership Alumni Award - JoLisa Hoover '92

JoLisa Hoover joined Raise Your Hand Texas in 2019 and transitioned to the newly created teacher specialist role focused on teacher workforce issues in 2022. As an educator with policy experience, she is passionate about teacher leadership and investing in public education. She was recognized through the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards as a Lifetime Achievement Award finalist and a Leadership Award finalist. Hoover holds a master's degree in educational psychology from Texas A&M University and a bachelor's degree from McMurry, where she received the Spirit of McMurry Award in 2012. She previously served with the McMurry Alumni Association and McMurry Servant Leadership Advisory Council and now serves on the McMurry Board of Visitors.

Outstanding Alumnus in Math & Sciences - Dr. Rick Quy '70

Dr. Rick Quy '70 graduated from McMurry with bachelor's degree in chemistry. Quy continued his higher education at Rice University (MS and PhD in Chemistry), the US Army Infantry and Parachute Schools (2nd Lieutenant), and Pepperdine University (MA in Education). He then joined Conoco, Inc. where he spent 20 years as a research chemist, supervisor, and manager. Quy was then offered the position of director of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UT Austin where he won the 2010 Outstanding Services Award. After 12 years, he accepted a teaching position at St. Edward's University for another 6 years. He is now retired and enjoying serving on the boards of the Lake Travis United Methodist Church, the Texas Wesley, and McMurry University.

Outstanding Alumna in Humanities - Kristina Jones '92

Kristina E. Jones is chief growth officer for Civil Air Patrol and president/executive director of the Civil Air Patrol Foundation. She is responsible for Civil Air Patrol's overall fundraising efforts, partnerships, and marketing to support its key missions. Her portfolio includes positions as executive director for Alliance for Women & Children, vice president of development for Sears Methodist Retirement System Inc., director of alumni and church relations with McMurry University in Abilene, and campaign director for United Way of Abilene. Jones holds a master's degree in intercultural communications from Abilene Christian University and a bachelor's degree in organizational communications from McMurry. Jones has served on numerous boards at the local, state, and national levels. She is a graduate of Leadership America, Leadership Texas Class of 2008, and a past member of the National Advisory Board for the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health. She has participated in the National Security Forum at Air War College and completed two terms on the U.S. Air Force's Air Mobility Command Civic Leader's Council, where she served as a past chair.

Honorary Alumni Award - Kathi Edwards

Kathi Edwards graduated from Texas Tech University in 1975 with a B.A. in Business Education. She was a stay-at-home mom for 26 years, raising three children. During those years, she was an active patient volunteer with Hendrick Hospice Care. In 1993, she was chosen as their Volunteer of the Year. Edwards enrolled at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in 2008 where she received a master's degree and board certification as a chaplain. Afterward, she worked as a staff chaplain with Hendrick Hospice Care until her retirement in 2021. Edwards is also a deaconess in the United Methodist Church. In 2017, Edwards began serving on the McMurry University Board of Trustees. After holding numerous offices, Edwards was elected as chair of the board in 2023 and is still serving in that capacity.

Honorary Alumni Award - Murray Edwards

Murray Edwards graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas A&M University in 1973, where he was named outstanding Senior in the College of Agriculture. He then attended Harvard Business School and received an MBA in 1975. He received the Outstanding Agribusiness Entrepreneur award from Texas A&M and was named a Distinguished Alumnus in the College of Agriculture. Edwards has owned several businesses, including livestock feed and pet food manufacturers, cattle feed yards, a cotton and grain trading company, all in Texas, and a network of pump and irrigation companies in California. He was elected to the corporate boards of First Financial Bank of Abilene and First Financial Bank of Fort Worth, becoming its first Chairman of the Board. Currently, Edwards is the Lead Director of First Financial Bankshares and chairs the Governance Committee. An award-winning author, Edwards has written and published several collections of short fiction and satire. Murray and his wife, Kathi, were selected to the McMurry University Sports Hall of Fame and the Jay Society.

Young Alumni Achievement Award - Dr. Danna McMahan '12

Dr. Danni McMahan is the spinal cord injury clinical pharmacy practitioner and the program director for the Post-Graduate Year 1Pharmacy Residency Program for the VA North Texas Health Care System in Dallas, Texas. Dr. McMahan obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from McMurry University in 2012 and received the Ginny Carlson Memorial Award for Outstanding Senior Woman. In 2016, she received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy where she graduated number one in her class. She completed her PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at the VA North Texas Health Care System and a PGY2 in ambulatory care at the VA North Texas Health Care System and TTUHC School of Pharmacy. Currently Dr. McMahan serves as the only clinical pharmacy practitioner in the spinal cord injury unit. Additionally, she is a board-certified pharmaceutical specialist, and her scope of practice includes work in the inpatient unit, in the outpatient clinic, and on the home-based care team. Her practice interests within spinal cord injury include pain/spasticity, osteoporosis, diabetes, and autonomic dysreflexia.

Distinguished Alumna - Melody Hunt '79

Melody Hunt '79 is President of Hunt Direct Marketing, Inc., which she founded in January 2005. Hunt Direct Marketing is a database and direct response marketing firm that specializes in the Broadway and performing arts community. Prior to creating the company, Ms. Hunt was president and COO of Target Solutions, an arts consulting company, from 2001 to 2004. From 1993 to 2001, she served as vice president of the Arts and Entertainment Division of MSGI Direct in New York City, where she created one of the first direct mail campaigns targeting New York Metro audiences. Today, direct mail remains a cornerstone in launching and sustaining successful theatrical productions.

Ms. Hunt began her career at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra from 1981 to 1988, rising from departmental secretary to marketing manager. She went on to serve as director of marketing and public relations at the Fort Worth Chamber and Symphony Orchestra (1989-1991) and the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra (1991-1993).

A proud alumna of McMurry University, Hunt earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. As a student, she was active in Theta Chi, McMurry Student Government, and consistently made the Dean's List. She is a member of the President's Council, Trailblazers Society, and 1923 Legacy Society.

Hunt has remained deeply involved with McMurry through philanthropy and leadership. She is a founding member of the Dr. Sandra Harper Women's Leadership Scholarship, with a focus on building the endowment corpus rapidly to support future generations of women leaders. In April 2010, she also established the Melody Hunt Endowed Scholarship, dedicated to supporting non-traditional students, an initiative inspired by her father, a non-traditional student, and both parents, who were first-generation college students.

Hunt has served on the McMurry University Board of Trustees, where she chaired the Institutional Advancement Committee and was a member of the Trusteeship Committee, helping guide the university's development and strategic vision.

Nominations for Alumni Achievement Awards for 2026 are now open until December 31, 2025. Click here to nominate.