CCU Alumni Awards
Please join us in congratulating Sara McCall '08 as the 2023 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, and Vilmarie Ocasio '21 as the 2023 Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year.
Sara McCall '08
2023 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
Vilmarie Ocasio '21
2023 Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year
CCU announces Outstanding Alumnus of the Year recipients
The Coastal Carolina University Office for Advancement and Alumni Engagement has announced its Outstanding Alumnus of the Year recipients. Sara McCall has been named the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, while Vilmarie Ocasio is the Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year. McCall and Ocasio were recognized during CCU football games on Oct. 28 and Nov. 11, respectively.
Sara McCall '08
McCall, a native of Charlotte, N.C., earned a bachelor’s degree in art studio from CCU in 2008. She is the founder and CEO of Stunning and Brilliant Events, a full-service wedding and event coordination company established in Myrtle Beach in 2010. She now has franchises in 10 other locations around the country. In 2020, McCall founded Lemon or Lime, a mobile full-service bar company that is also being franchised.
Award Process
- Nominees for the alumni awards are chosen by a steering committee consisting of the college deans. Criteria for the annual awards include loyalty to CCU, a record of service and accomplishments, and a demonstration of positive attributes.
“Powered by ambition, Sara has not only embraced the entrepreneurial journey, she’s turning her dreams into reality,” said Diane Sanders, CCU’s vice president for advancement and alumni engagement. “We are so proud of her ongoing success. She is a true inspiration.”
Vilmarie Ocasio '21
Ocasio, a native Manati, Puerto Rico, earned a bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in public health from CCU in 2021. She recently completed the Public Health Associate Program with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ocasio is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization Community Organization of Multiple Sclerosis and Cancer Inc. For the past seven years, she has secured corporate and government grants for the provision of portable air conditioners and whistles (for earthquake safety) for MS patients in Puerto Rico. In addition, Ocasio played a major role in the passage of a law in 2016 to create a mandatory registry for people diagnosed with MS in Puerto Rico. In November 2018, she was named a Daily Point of Light honoree. The award was given by Points of Light, an organization designed to inspire, equip, and mobilize people to take action that changes the world. It was founded by former president George H.W. Bush.
“Vilmarie is a compassionate thread, weaving a narrative of hope and resilience,” said Sanders. “With a heart dedicated to supporting those who suffer from multiple sclerosis, her commitment to the cause is a testament to the profound impact one individual can make when driven by empathy and fueled by the spirit of service.”
Past recipients
2022
Robbie Jordan '90 | Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
Brantay Cohens '14 '16 '19 | Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year
2020
Thomas Gwyer '98 | Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
Kenneth Lewis Jr. '14 '15 | Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year
2018
Christy Smith Everett '08 | Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
Whitney Shipman Glenn '18 | Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year
2017
D. Wyatt Henderson '98 | Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
Sadara Shine '14 | Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year
2016
Gary Gilmore '80 | Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
Megan Laffin '14 | Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year
2015
Brian Forbus '97 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
James Marino '13 | Distinguished Young Alumnus of the Year
2014
Patrick Sparks '95 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Brooke Donaldson '11 | Distinguished Young Alumnus of the Year
2013
Alexander D. Klaus '05 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Amy McAllister-Skinner '12 | Distinguished Young Alumnus of the Year
2012
Olin Utterback '98 | Business Administration
Amber Campbell '04 | Science
Melanie B. Dozier '11 | Education
Alexandra Tamburro '10 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Dr. Steven Jachec '95 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Alexandra Tamburro '10 | Young Alumnus of the Year
2011
Lisa Rachels '98 | Business Administration
Tim Hardee '78 | Science
Rob Spino '00 | Education
Erin Donovan | Humanities and Fine Arts
Tami Springs Brooks '80 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Jason Repak '07 | Young Alumnus of the Year
2010
Christopher S. Huggins '90 | Business Administration
Robert M. Johnson '98 | Science
Ebbie Gore '87 '00 | Education
R. Walter Hill IV '00 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Delan Stevens '79 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Jason Repak '07 | Young Alumnus of the Year
2009
Thomas Loehr ’80 | Business Administration
Caryn Self-Sullivan ’97 | Science
Melissa McCloud ’95 | Education
Robert Shelton ’97 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
2008
William Marsh '86 | Business Administration
Sachin Gupta '91 | Science
Forrest Alton '99 | Education
Natasha Mabry Hanna '94 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Cynthia Galloway '80 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
2007
Woody Ford '05 | Business Administration
Geoffrey Parsons '88 | Science
Sherry Johnson '96 | Education
Dawn Richardson '98 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Mike Pruitt ’84 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
2006
Mark Adkins '89 | Business Administration
Will Adkins '89 | Business Administration
Joanne Patterson '95 | Science
Georgia Vaught Anderson '74 | Education
Yasemin Kanan Saib '95 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Derek Blanton ’79 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
2005
Mike Pruitt ’84 | Business Administration
Christine Shutter ’94 | Science
Jody Hyden ’88 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Bruce Maggi ’01 | Education
Timothy Meacham ’79 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
2004
D. Wyatt Henderson ’88 | Business Administration
William C. “Bill” Eiser ‘82, ‘84 | Science
Stephanie Horner Toney ’01 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Ashley D. Godwin ’92 | Education
John Trueluck ’00 | Continuing Studies
The Honorable Alan D. Clemmons ’82 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
2003
Jay Huggins '88 | Business Administration
Tony D. Prince '93 | Science
Janice Cannan ’96 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Sandy Sarvis Brossard ‘79 | Education
Kenneth Charles Canturbury ‘99 | Continuing Studies
2002
Scott Harrelson '86 | Business Administration
Dr. John Bailey '84 | Science
Anita Williams Huggins ‘98 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Mark Roach ‘84 | Education
Paul Sweeney ‘00 | Continuing Studies
2001
Dale Zeglin '84 | Business Administration
Kerry Schwanz '93 | Science
James Guignard ’97 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Johnny Calder ’70, ’89 | Education
Tabby Shelton ’99 | Continuing Studies
2000
Larry D. Coats, Jr. | Business Administration
Stuart Stevens | Science
Ashley L. Bruton ’96 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Debbie Dewitt '80 | Education
Warren Gall '86 | Continuing Studies
Other Past Recipients
William H. Alford ‘77
Fran B. Gilbert ‘78
Ruth S. Kearns ‘68
Michael C. Krug ‘79
Clark B. Parker ‘77
Juli S. Powers ‘79
William E. Stanton ‘86