APSU Board of Trustees Awards

At the summer meeting, the Board of Trustees approve the recipients of three awards to deserving alumni/friends/organizations. The awards are: APSU Philanthropist of the Year, Board of Trustees Military Service Award, and Board of Trustees Service Award.

2025 Recipients


	APSU Philanthropists of the Year Coleman Tractor Company Coleman Tractor Company, under the leadership of Dealer Principal Spencer Coleman, has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to agricultural education and student success at APSU. Established as a family-owned business with locations in Clarksville, Nashville, White House, and Paris, Tennessee, Coleman Tractor has become a leading provider of agricultural and construction equipment in the Middle Tennessee region, specializing in Kubota equipment sales, service, and parts. The company began its partnership with APSU in 2017, initially providing six pieces of Kubota equipment for use at the University’s Farm and Environmental Education Center. In 2025, this relationship expanded significantly with a formal three-year partnership between Coleman Tractor Company, Kubota Tractor Corporation, and APSU. This collaboration led to the renaming of the APSU Department of Agriculture’s farm as the “Coleman Tractor APSU Farm Powered by Kubota” and includes the provision of state-of-the-art equipment such as tractors, mowers, hay equipment, and utility vehicles. Read more
	Board of Trustees Military Service Award Joel C. Pruitt Pivot Program Director, 5th Special Forces Group Master Sergeant Joel C. Pruitt (Retired) served 24 years of active duty in the United States Army, with extensive service in the 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Campbell. His distinguished military career included five combat tours in Iraq and deployments to Somalia, Panama, Qatar, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Djibouti, and Kenya. His service has been recognized with five Bronze Star Medals, the Combat Infantry Badge with Star (2nd award), and numerous other decorations. In 2017, MSG Pruitt earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Austin Peay State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. His commitment to APSU has continued well beyond graduation. As President of Chapter 38 of the Special Forces Association, he has been instrumental in establishing four scholarship endowments at APSU specifically for Special Forces personnel and their families. In 2023, he collaborated with CW4(R) Joe Shakeenab to create the CSM(R) Francis McFadden Military Scholarship, further strengthening the bond between the military and academic communities in Clarksville. Read more
	Board of Trustees Service Award Lawson and Beth Mabry Real Estate Development and Business Professionals William Lawson Mabry and Beth Fletcher Mabry have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their alma mater through decades of service and philanthropy. The Mabry family has to date established two endowed scholarships at APSU, The Harriett Noland Mabry Memorial Scholarship for Language and Literature majors in the College of Arts and Letters and the William Marrast Mabry Memorial Scholarship for Finance majors in the School of Business. Lawson graduated from Austin Peay State University in 1977 with a B.S. in English. He was editor of The Tower campus literary publication, editorial editor of The All State, and president of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Since graduation, he has worked in real estate in Clarksville, Tennessee, focusing on land acquisition, development, and construction. He has been involved with the development of many neighborhoods and thousands of residential lots. Read more

APSU Philanthropists of the Year

Coleman Tractor Company

Coleman Tractor Company, under the leadership of Dealer Principal Spencer Coleman, has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to agricultural education and student success at APSU. Established as a family-owned business with locations in Clarksville, Nashville, White House, and Paris, Tennessee, Coleman Tractor has become a leading provider of agricultural and construction equipment in the Middle Tennessee region, specializing in Kubota equipment sales, service, and parts.

The company began its partnership with APSU in 2017, initially providing six pieces of Kubota equipment for use at the University’s Farm and Environmental Education Center. In 2025, this relationship expanded significantly with a formal three-year partnership between Coleman Tractor Company, Kubota Tractor Corporation, and APSU. This collaboration led to the renaming of the APSU Department of Agriculture’s farm as the “Coleman Tractor APSU Farm Powered by Kubota” and includes the provision of state-of-the-art equipment such as tractors, mowers, hay equipment, and utility vehicles.

Board of Trustees Military Service Award

Joel C. Pruitt
Pivot Program Director, 5th Special Forces Group

Master Sergeant Joel C. Pruitt (Retired) served 24 years of active duty in the United States Army, with extensive service in the 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Campbell. His distinguished military career included five combat tours in Iraq and deployments to Somalia, Panama, Qatar, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Djibouti, and Kenya. His service has been recognized with five Bronze Star Medals, the Combat Infantry Badge with Star (2nd award), and numerous other decorations.

In 2017, MSG Pruitt earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Austin Peay State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. His commitment to APSU has continued well beyond graduation. As President of Chapter 38 of the Special Forces Association, he has been instrumental in establishing four scholarship endowments at APSU specifically for Special Forces personnel and their families. In 2023, he collaborated with CW4(R) Joe Shakeenab to create the CSM(R) Francis McFadden Military Scholarship, further strengthening the bond between the military and academic communities in Clarksville.

Board of Trustees Service Award

Lawson and Beth Mabry
Real Estate Development and Business Professionals

William Lawson Mabry and Beth Fletcher Mabry have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their alma mater through decades of service and philanthropy.

The Mabry family has to date established two endowed scholarships at APSU, The Harriett Noland Mabry Memorial Scholarship for Language and Literature majors in the College of Arts and Letters and the William Marrast Mabry Memorial Scholarship for Finance majors in the School of Business.

Lawson graduated from Austin Peay State University in 1977 with a B.S. in English. He was editor of The Tower campus literary publication, editorial editor of The All State, and president of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Since graduation, he has worked in real estate in Clarksville, Tennessee, focusing on land acquisition, development, and construction. He has been involved with the development of many neighborhoods and thousands of residential lots.

Criteria and past recipients

This award recognizes an individual or organization that has given a large amount of resources to Austin Peay State University. More than one individual or organization may receive the award dependent on the merit of nominations received, which will be given on an annual basis. A minimum of the criteria for the award must be met for the award to be given out.

Criteria:

Generous giving of resources to Austin Peay State University.
Significant influence on others to become involved in fundraising or supporting APSU.
Exceptional civic responsibility and integrity.
A continued commitment and philanthropic effort that has improved the quality of life for Austin Peay State University.

Past Recipients:

2024 - Ron and Andrea Morton

2023 - Google

2022 - Tom Kane

2021 - The Band Foundation

2020 - Joe and Cathi Maynard

2019 - Wilma Newton

2018 - Doug and Linda Downey

Austin Peay State University established the Board of Trustees Military Service Award award to give special recognition to an individual or organization who demonstrates support of APSU through leadership, service and advocacy. His/her efforts have provided honor and distinction to APSU. More than one individual or organization may receive the award dependent on the merit of nominations received, which will be given on an annual basis. A minimum of the criteria for the award must be met for the award to be given out.

Criteria:

Service, leadership, or advocacy to Austin Peay State University.
Exceptional civic responsibility and integrity.
This individual must fall into one these three categories: is a veteran, active duty, or significantly supports the APSU military community.

Past Recipients:

2024 - Gary Luck

2023 - Bill Harpel
Phil Harpel

2022 - Yolonda M. Williams

2021 - Retired CW4 Joe Shakeenab

2020 - Retired Lt. Col. Thomas E. Mercer Sr.

2019 - Jack Turner

2018 - Lt. Gen. Ron Bailey

Austin Peay State University established the Board of Trustees Service Award to give special recognition to an individual who demonstrates support through leadership, service and advocacy. His/her efforts have provided honor and distinction to APSU. More than one individual or organization may receive the award dependent on the merit of nominations received, which will be given on an annual basis. A minimum of the criteria for the award must be met for the award to be given out.