CoAL Distinguished Alumni

2025 - Mike Gotcher (1980)

Dr. Mike Gotcher, a proud alum of the APSU Department of Communication, has built an impressive career in higher education spanning over 28 years. Currently serving as dean of the College of Interdisciplinary Studies at Tennessee Tech University, Gotcher's journey reflects his commitment to academic excellence and leadership.

During his time at APSU, Gotcher served in various roles including professor, department chair, and interim dean. His contributions to the university were recognized with both the university's Richard M. Hawkins Award and the APSU National Alumni Association's Distinguished Professor Award.

Recently, Austin Peay State University celebrated the dedication of the newly named Sara and Mike Gotcher Theatre, honoring the legacy of Gotcher and his late wife Sara, both distinguished APSU alumni who made significant contributions to the university and the performing arts community.

2024 - Keith Kaufman (1988)

Keith Kaufman combines his academic background with his extensive industry experience to lead Center Stage Tour Promotions with vision and excellence. Under his leadership, the company continues to deliver unparalleled concert experiences, making unforgettable memories for country music fans nationwide.

Kaufman is the owner of Center Stage Tour Promotions, LLC, a company based in Nashville, Tennessee, that specializes in creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for radio listeners during country music's biggest concert tours. With an unrivaled passion for country music and a knack for delivering exclusive behind-the-scenes access, he ensures that radio listeners experience the magic and excitement of the concert world like never before every night.

"Every night, I take radio listeners places they’re not supposed to be and show them things they’re not supposed to see," Kaufman said.

With an impressive 38-year career in multi-format commercial radio, Kaufman has cemented his reputation as a leading figure in the industry. He spent 16 impactful years at America's most decorated country station, The Big 98 WSIX in Nashville, where he forged invaluable relationships with country artists, their managers, record labels and country program directors nationwide. His extensive network and industry expertise are the backbone of Center Stage Tour Promotions' success. Kaufman's dedication to the country music community extends beyond his professional endeavors. He has served as a board member for Country Radio Broadcasters and the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radio Advisory Board. His commitment to the latter program, which has raised over $950 million since 1989, stands as his proudest achievement, reflecting his unwavering support for charitable causes.

2023 - Christian Hodges (2012, 2014)

Christian Hodges earned a bachelor's degree in mass communication in 2012 and a master's in business/corporate communication in 2014 from Austin Peay. Hodges is an EVS operator for the National Football League (NFL) Network, where he builds in-game highlights, instant replays, video content playback and media packages. He also freelances as a replay/playback technician and is most experienced with Newtek's 3Play and Quantel. 

As a student at Austin Peay, Hodges was, and still is, warmly regarded by the Department of Communication. He has demonstrated a great deal of grit and perseverance in his professional career, and the department’s faculty wanted to commend his willingness to give back to current students in the programs. 

2022 - Celeste Malone (2017, 2019)

Celeste Malone is a double-alumnus of the Department of Communication, graduating with her BS in 2017 and her MA in 2019. During her time at Austin Peay, Malone served as a blogger and writer for The All State, as a graduate assistant for the Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center, and as the student representative to the APSU Board of Trustees (2018-2019). She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Society. After graduating with her MA, Malone worked for MP&F Strategic Communications in Nashville. She is currently a board member of APSU’s National Alumni Association and works as a Content Specialist for Vanderbilt University. You can read Malone's work for Vanderbilt here.

2021 - Dr. Tracy Shearon Nichols (1992, 2004)

Dr. Nichols received both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees with an emphasis in Theatre and Communication at Austin Peay State University and her doctoral degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. She worked for the Fortune 500 Company, The Principal Financial Group, in management for several years. As an employee, she was selected to serve on the prestigious Advisory Board in the Healthcare Division. Dr. Nichols was a licensed insurance agent. Utilizing the skills and knowledge gained from her degrees, she also worked as a professional actor and director in regional theatre where she won the Best Actress award for her role as Mama O’Hanlon in Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus. Dr. Nichols has over 25 years of acting and directing experience in professional, educational, and community theatre. She also married her husband Eddie, a professional scenic artist and graduate of APSU, on the Trahern Stage where they met. In 2015, they won the Govs in Love award.

Dr. Nichols began teaching full-time at APSU in 2007. She is an active member of her department, the university, and the communities she works and lives in. 

2020 - Chrissy Luther Hale (1991)

2025 - Jim Thweatt (1991)

Jim Thweatt, a 1991 graduate of Austin Peay State University with majors in history and English, has built a career firmly rooted in his passion for history and genealogy. Growing up in Clarksville, his love for history was inspired by his parents, particularly his father, John H. Thweatt, who taught history at Austin Peay before becoming the senior archivist at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

While at Austin Peay in the late 1980s, Thweatt worked with Drs. Richard Gildrie and Howard Winn to help save Harned Hall from destruction, conducting research on former State Commissioner of Education Perry L. Harned. He also spent a semester abroad in Oxford, England, with Dr. Thomas Dixon.

Today, Thweatt serves as an archivist at Vanderbilt's Eskind Library, working with the History of Medicine Collection. His dedication to preserving and promoting history extends to his active membership in the Sons of the American Revolution Valentine Sevier Chapter. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to historical preservation and education that began during his time at APSU.

2024 - Joseph Miller (2002)

Joseph C. “Joe” Miller is a proud 2002 alumnus of APSU with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and is also a graduate of the university’s four-year Honors Program.  Miller currently serves as the vice president for Enrollment Management and Marketing at Winthrop University - providing leadership to the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, and University Communications and Marketing while overseeing the university’s enrollment initiatives. He also serves on the President’s Cabinet as the university’s chief enrollment officer. 

Over the past 20 years, Miller has served in the roles of vice president for enrollment, dean of enrollment management, director of admission, and associate director of admission at regional comprehensive institutions in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. He serves as a regular presenter, contributor, program evaluator, higher education policy analyst and researcher to articles and conferences on enrollment management, faculty partnerships, and student success and retention - and is completing a doctorate of education through Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education (Summer 2024). Miller is married to Melissa (Nichols) Miller and has three children: Anna Claire, Jonah, and Camp. 

Miller said he is deeply grateful for the education he received as a philosophy undergraduate and honors program student at APSU and uses philosophical and analytical tools daily in his role as a higher-education administrator (critical thinking, analytical reasoning, effective communication, logical analysis, close reading of documents and civil discourse).

2023 - Joe Pitts (1980)

Joe Pitts graduated from Austin Peay State University with a bachelor’s degree in 1980 and has served as the city of Clarksville’s mayor since 2018 as part of a career devoted to public service.  

His post-graduate education includes attending the Institute for Organizational Management at the University of Georgia as well as the Emerging Political Leaders program at the University of Virginia. Pitts served as chief of staff for Clarksville Mayor Don Trotter, who held the office from 1987-2007. In 2005, Pitts became vice president of Planters Bank, and from 2006-19 he served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 67. As a state representative, Pitts was the vice chair for the Minority Caucus (2011-13) and served on many committees and subcommittees dealing with education, insurance and banking. 

2022 - Howard Bradley (1976)

Howard Bradley graduated Austin Peay State University in 1976. While at APSU, Bradley studied History and Political Science. His studies in the classroom helped him with is career goals in education and politics. and served as a commissioner. While a student, he was elected to the County of Commissioners for Robertson County. He was first elected in 1972 and severed a total of 22 years as a commissioner. After graduating from APSU, Bradley taught history at Springfield High School. In 2002, he was elected as the county mayor of Robertson County. He served four terms as county mayor, retiring in 2018. From 2018 to 2020, he was Vice President for Business Development for F&M Bank in Springfield, Tennessee. He also was an adjunct professor for history for twelve years.  

2021 - LTC Paul Witkowski (2010)

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Witkowski earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Columbus State University and a Master of Arts in Military History from Austin Peay State University. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal (3), the Meritorious Service Medal (8), the Combat Infantryman's Badge (2nd Award), Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, and Drill Sergeant Identification Badge.

Some of his past assignments include Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer A/1-15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, GA; Commander, D Company and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY; Commander C Company, 5th Ranger Training Brigade, Camp Frank D Merrill, Dahlonega, GA; Liaison Officer, 3rd Brigade 1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, KY; Interagency Fellow with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Washington, DC; Battalion Executive Officer, 1st Battalion 502nd Infantry Regiment and Brigade Operations Officer, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Fort Campbell, KY; Division Future Operations Planner, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); and Aide-de-Camp to the 35th Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, the Pentagon, Washington, DC. His last assignment was battalion commander of 1st Battalion 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and commander a multinational force of U.S., Norwegian, French, and Danish soldiers in Iraq. He is currently a student at the United States Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA. His next assignment is with the Joint Staff in the Pentagon.

2020 - David Britton (2010)

After working a variety of jobs, David Britton attended APSU beginning in 2006 which corresponded with his employment with Tennessee State Parks as a laborer. His interests were primarily in early America and the trans-Appalachian west. Accordingly, He took a lot of classes with Dr. Richard Gildrie and Dr. Kristofer Ray. All of his classes in the History Department helped him improve and hone his writing and critical thinking. He graduated in 2010. Since then he had an essay published in the TN Historical Quarterly as well as in an edited essay collection from University of TN press. He is currently under contract with Vanderbilt University for a book on the historical context of the Bell Witch of Tennessee.  

In 2013 he became a Tennessee State Park Ranger at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville, TN and attended the Tennessee Law Enforcement & Training Academy. In 2017 he became the Park Manager for Dunbar Cave State Park and Port Royal State Historic Park. 

2025 - Thomas Murphy (2017)

Dr. Thomas Murphy's academic journey began at APSU as a dual-enrolled high school student studying French. An Honors and PELP student, he originally majored in music (composition) before switching to foreign languages with a concentration in French and Greek, with additional coursework in political science and philosophy.

After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Austin Peay in 2017, Murphy was accepted to the Ph.D. program in French at NYU, where he received his Master of Arts, Master of Philosophy, and doctorate. His academic pursuits included additional coursework at Princeton and the Sorbonne. He received the prestigious George Lurcy Trust fellowship in 2021-22 and was a visiting researcher at the Ecole Normale Superieure. In 2022-23, he was an invited doctoral researcher at the Sorbonne.

Murphy obtained his Ph.D. in 2024 and was awarded a three-year Fellowship in Early Modern French at Oxford, where he is currently on the faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages at New College. His first book project, "Translating Nature in Early Modern France," and his numerous scholarly publications reflect his intellectual depth and academic rigor.

Those who taught Murphy at APSU remember him as a brilliant and remarkably down-to-earth young scholar whose academic trajectory has been nothing short of exceptional

2024 - Melissa Smith

Melissa Smith has earned undergraduate degrees in English and Spanish and a master's degree in teaching from APSU. She currently serves as Northwest High School’s World Language program coordinator and is the creator of the S4 program, which provides life-changing opportunities for disengaged students from adverse circumstances and for students who want to develop leadership competencies. Smith is currently a teacher doctoral candidate in her final year of APSU’s Educational Leadership program.

Smith’s career philosophy revolves around providing underprivileged students with meaningful learning opportunities and helping them emerge with 21st-century college and career-ready skills.

Her S4 program integrates service learning and community engagement for high school students, fostering a deeper connection to learning through real-world projects. This year, approximately 100 high school students under Smith's guidance engaged in some form of community service, while a select few taught Spanish language and culture to younger students at The Kleeman Center and the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library.

Smith, who hails from the vibrant Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, is an accomplished educator and community leader who believes that learning a second language fosters community cooperation and cultural growth. With a strong commitment to empowering students and fostering academic excellence, Smith’s journey from her Caribbean roots to her notable achievements stands as a testament to her dedication to making a profound impact in the field of educatio

2023 - Emily Pitts-Donahoe (2014)

Emily Pitts-Donahoe is a 2014 graduate of the APSU Department of Languages & Literature, a dynamic scholar with a doctorate from the University of Notre Dame (2021) and is currently Associate Director of Instructional Support at the University of Mississippi's Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning. Her academic pursuits are aligned with the Notre Dame Initiative on Race and Resilience, where she advocates for global perspectives, interdisciplinary analyses and inclusive pedagogy. Her contributions extend to creative writing, with notable achievements during her time at APSU. Her accolades include honors program membership, multiple writing awards, leadership roles in Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Tau Delta and valuable experience as a tutor at the Writing Center. 

Pitts-Donahoe's transformative experience studying abroad in London, under the guidance of Dr. Mercy Cannon and Dr. Mickey Wadia, ignited her passion for early modern English literature and theatre, ultimately shaping her academic trajectory. Her innovative work also encompasses contemporary themes like alternative grading practices and the intersection of artificial intelligence and writing education. Her insights have garnered recognition from prestigious outlets including MIT Tech Review and Inside Higher Ed. You can connect with Pitts-Donahoe and stay updated on her professional endeavors via Twitter, @EmPittsDonahoe.

2022 - Raven Jackson (2012)

A native of Tennessee, Raven Jackson is an award-winning filmmaker, poet, and photographer. Her work often explores landscapes of indefinable experiences and emotions, as well as the body’s relationship to nature. A participant of Film at Lincoln Center’s Artist Academy during the 57th New York Film Festival, she is currently in post-production for her debut narrative feature, all dirt roads taste of salt, which has received support from Cinereach, SFFILM, IFP, Film Independent, Tribeca Film Institute, New Orleans Film Society, Kenneth Rainin Foundation, and Westridge Foundation. The film was also one of five selected for the Ikusmira Berriak Residency in San Sebastián, Spain, and was handpicked by Barry Jenkins for Indie Memphis’ 2019 Black Filmmaker Residency in Screenwriting. 

Her short films "Nettles" and "A Guide to Breathing Underwater" are currently streaming on the Criterion Channel. "Nettles" is the winner of an inaugural Flies Collective Film Grant and had its International Premiere at the 66th edition of the San Sebastián International Film Festival. The film also won the jury award for Best Narrative Short Film at the 2018 Tacoma Film Festival and screened at Slamdance, Metrograph NYC, Palm Springs International ShortFest, and Bermuda International Film Festival, among others. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, TriQuarterly, CALYX, Kweli, Phantom Limb, PANK, and elsewhere. Her chapbook of poetry, little violences, is available from Cutbank Literary Magazine. Raven is a Cave Canem fellow and holds MFAs from New York University's Graduate Film Program and the New School's Writing Program. Jackson graduated from APSU in 2012; you can learn more about Jackson's work here. 

2021 - Andrea Yarbrough (2012)

Andrea Yarbrough is a 2012 graduate from APSU with a BA in Foreign languages (German) and the 2011 recipient of the Edelweiß-Club scholarship for APSU German students.  Since graduation, she has been able to combine her passion for science and her degree in German.  Ms. Yarbrough is working as Laboratory Manager for Freudenberg Filtration Technologies in Hopkinsville, a large German corporation with worldwide facilities. Yarbrough uses her German language skills and her knowledge of German culture on a daily basis in her interactions with German colleagues and management both in the US and in Germany.  She has traveled to headquarters in Mannheim, Germany several times for training and collaboration. 

2020 - Susan Lawrence (2014)

2025 - Rich Ripani (1998)

After earning his undergraduate degree in music education from George Peabody College in 1977, Dr. Rich Ripani embarked on a multifaceted career as a professional musician and educator. His career as a performer includes numerous recording sessions in Nashville studios, with credits on one double-platinum and two gold albums.

As a live music performer, Ripani has played with and conducted orchestras for several national-level musical artists across North America and Europe. His television appearances include performances on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, the Jay Leno Show, the Mike Douglas Show, the Merv Griffin Show, Austin City Limits, and Nashville Now, among others.

Ripani continued his music studies at Austin Peay State University, earning a master's degree in instrumental conducting in 1998. His book, "The New Blue Music: Changes in Rhythm & Blues, 1950-1999," published by the University Press of Mississippi, is currently held in the libraries of over 1,000 colleges and universities worldwide. Additionally, he founded the Nashville Jazz Youth Ensemble, further demonstrating his commitment to music education.

2024 - Alan Mearns (2003)

Alan Mearns was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He began his musical studies with the classical violin at age 5, switching to the guitar at age 10. Moving to the United States in his late teens, he studied classical guitar performance at Appalachian State University (where he held the prestigious Fletcher Scholarship) and as a graduate assistant at APSU (where he received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award, 2003). As a classical guitarist and composer, he has performed and presented masterclasses and lectures at significant venues in the U.S. and the U.K.

His musical activities as songwriter-performer, composer and classical guitarist have resulted in numerous magazine and radio coverage (including recent interview performances for NPR Classical, BBC Sounds UK, Radio Ulster and Guitar Salon International Los Angeles), video interviews and podcasts and a recent video feature by YouTube influencer Rick Beato (which has received almost 500K views).

2023 - Master Gunnery Sgt. Samuel Barlow (2000)

Trombonist and Master Gunnery Sgt. Samuel Barlow of Jackson, Tennessee., joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in June 2004. He was named principal trombone in 2013 and assistant section leader in 2017. 

Barlow began his musical training at age 12. Upon graduating in 1995 from Northside High School in Jackson, he attended Austin Peay State University, where in 2000 he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education. In 2003, he earned a master’s degree in music performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory in Ohio. His trombone instructors included Susan K. Smith from Austin Peay State University and Cincinnati Symphony principal trombone Cristian Ganicenko. 

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Barlow performed with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra in Ohio. 

Barlow currently performs with the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra at the White House, in the Washington, D.C., area, and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour. In 2010 he was featured as a tour soloist on Stephen Bulla’s “Southwest Showcase,” and on the 2014 tour he performed Arthur Pryor’s “Fantastic Polka.” 

2022 - Andrea E. Brown (1998)

Dr. Andrea E. Brown was appointed the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Maryland in 2018. In this position she conducts the University of Maryland Wind Ensemble and serves as the Director of Athletic Bands in which she leads the “Mighty Sound of Maryland” and all aspects of the athletic band program. Brown is formerly a member of the conducting faculty at the University of Michigan where she served as the assistant director of bands. In this position, she was the conductor of the Campus Bands and director of the Campus Band Chamber Ensembles, associate director of the Michigan Marching and Athletic Bands, director of the Men's Basketball Band, guest conductor with the Symphony Band and Concert Band, taught conducting, and was a faculty sponsor of a College of Engineering Multidisciplinary Design Project team researching conducting pedagogy technology. Previously Brown was the director of orchestra and assistant director of bands at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta where she also led research in conducting pedagogy technology and was a member of the Oxford Program faculty. She is a frequent guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in the US, Europe, and Asia. 

 Brown completed a DMA in instrumental conducting at UNC Greensboro where she was a student of John Locke and Kevin Geraldi. While at UNCG, she was named Outstanding Teaching Assistant and was both guest conductor and principal horn on UNCG Wind Ensemble's fireworks! and finish line! CDs released on the Equilibrium label. Brown has also had several rehearsal guides published in the popular GIA Publications series, "Teaching Music Through Performance in Band" and has presented at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Music For All Summer Symposium, the Yamaha Bläserklasse in Schlitz, Germany, the International Computer Music Conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the College Music Society International Conference in Sydney, Australia, and multiple times at the College Band Directors National Association National Conference.

Originally from Milan, Tennessee, she is a graduate of Austin Peay State University where she was named "Outstanding Student in Music." Brown earned a master of music degree in horn performance and a master of music education degree with a cognate in instrumental conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Prior to her position at Georgia Tech, Brown was the assistant director of bands at Austin Peay State University and taught public school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Dallas, Texas. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Lambda, and CBDNA. She was awarded the Rose of Honor as a member of Sigma Alpha Iota and is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. Learn more about Brown here.

2021 - Cindy Freeman (1969)

Cindy Freeman is a 1969 graduate of Clarksville High School in Clarksville, Tennessee. In 1973, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Austin Peay State University in Music Education, majoring in piano, under Dr. Patricia Gray.  She attended piano seminars at George Peabody College in Nashville featuring such artists as Charles Rosen, Leon Fleisher, Jorge Bolet, and Rudolph Serkin. She did graduate work at The Ohio State University in piano pedagogy studying under Dr. George Haddad. Freeman earned her Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting in 1996 from Austin Peay State University, studying extensively under her mentor, Dr. George Mabry.  

Freeman taught for 45 years as director of choral activities at Dickson County High School, teaching six choral organizations-Mixed Chorus, Women’s Ensemble, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Barbershop, and Beautyshop, as well as Theory and Harmony, Music History, Class Piano and General Music.  She was a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association of Music Educators, the Tennessee Music Educators Association, the Middle Tennessee Vocal Association, the National Education Association, and the Tennessee Education Association. 

2020 - Joe W. Giles (1961)

Mr. Giles has established a national reputation as one of the country’s most influential leaders in Arts Education. His impressive resume details  the depth of his experience as an award-winning teacher and choral director from the early days of his career to his appointment as the first Director of Arts Education for the State of Tennessee when the state’s first curriculum frameworks and guidelines for each arts discipline were produced under his direction.  As a result of his success in this position, he was elected to be President of the Southern Division of Arts Supervisors and the President of the National Council of State Supervisors of Music, Washington, DC, a singular accomplishment. 

One of Mr. Giles’ premiere accomplishments has been the creation of the Tennessee Arts Academy, a summer residential staff development program that serves teachers of choral and instrumental music, music theory, theatre and creative dramatics, and  visual art, as well as school administrators and supervisors. 2020 will mark the 34th year for The Academy. Professional arts associations consider The Academy to be the nation’s premier professional development program for teachers of the arts. 

Mr. Giles has held leadership roles in significant state and national music organizations and has been a consultant, presenter, and guest speaker for numerous arts associations, as related in his dossier. His list of honors and awards are admirable. In addition to his  accomplishments, he is known for his generosity, kindness, vision, friendship, intelligence, creativity, ability to remember everyone’s name, ethical thinking and a desire to look forward, not backward. I can think of no one who better represents the legacy of the Music Department of Austin Peay State University than Joe Giles. 

2025 - Drew McCollum

After graduating from Austin Peay State University, where he studied technical theatre and engineering, Drew McCollum built an impressive career in technical theatre that has taken him from Charleston, South Carolina to New York City's most prestigious theatres.

McCollum began as technical director for the College of Charleston's Theatre and Dance Department before moving to New York City in 2007 to become a draftsman and carpenter at The Juilliard School. From 2007 to 2011, he worked as a carpenter, welder, rigger, and draftsman in union shops and Off-Broadway theatres throughout New York City.

In 2011, he became the technical director for the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre, where he collaborated with renowned playwrights, designers, and directors, including Athol Fugard, Edward Albee, Charles Mee, and many others. During his tenure at Signature, McCollum opened the Pershing Square Signature Center, a 75,000-square-foot, multi-theatre venue designed by Frank Gehry.

Since 2019, McCollum has been the technical director for New York Theatre Workshop, the birthplace of acclaimed Broadway shows including "Rent," "What the Constitution Means to Me," "Hadestown," and "Slave Play." His technical expertise and artistic vision continue to shape some of New York's most groundbreaking theatrical productions.

2024 - Patrick Pride (2018)

Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Patrick Pride discovered his love and passion for dance during his adolescent years. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance at APSU in 2018 and held the gonfalon for the College of Arts & Letters. After graduating, Pride performed in various musicals around Tennessee as a member of Found Movement Group (a contemporary-based dance theatre company), and taught at a dance studio part-time.

During the summer of 2020, Pride moved to New York City to further pursue his dance career, and even the pandemic didn’t stop him from receiving work. He performed in a music video and dance project and choreographed Lion King Jr. for a theatre. He even performed for a Brooklyn dance company, AP Dance Inc., that recently won the Special Mention award for the 2021 Global Shorts Awards. Pride also became a viral sensation in April 2022 for his side gig dancing along the NYC sidewalk.

Pride is now a company member of two dance companies: the New York Baroque Dance Company and Skin Dance Company. He recently performed at the Kennedy Center for Opera Lafayette’s Les Fêtes de Thalie. He is proud to call APSU his alma mater and is grateful for their support, encouragement and craftsmanship, especially among the Department of Theatre and Dance.

2023 - Dr. Walter Riley Braem (2010, 2021)

Dr. Walter Riley Braem earned a bachelor's degree in communication with a concentration in theatre design and a minor in dance from Austin Peay in 2010. 

His passion for the arts led him to further his studies, and he earned a Master of Fine Arts in theatre from Arizona State University. He continued his academic journey by obtaining a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from APSU in 2018, showcasing his dedication to both arts and education. 

Dr. Braem's commitment to learning and academic excellence culminated in his attainment of a doctorate in education (EdD) from APSU in 2021. This achievement underscores his commitment to enhancing teaching methodologies and contributing to educational advancement.  

2022 - Richard Daniel (1984, 1990)

Richard Daniel graduated with a B.S. in Music Education in 1984 and a M.A. in Speech, Communication, and Theatre in 1990. A freelance actor, Daniel has performed in a number of theatrical productions including Smoke on the Mountains, The Unseen, Once, 1776, Sweeney Todd and many more. Learn more about Daniel and his acting career here. 

2021 - Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva (2009)

Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva (2009) is a Nashville native who received her Bachelor of Arts in Communica(on with a concentration in Theatre Performance and a minor in Dance from Austin Peay State University. She is a Professional Actor and Performance Artist whose work spans multiple genres, including Theatre, Dance, Opera, and Film. Her recent performance credits include Ouiser Boudreaux/ Steel Magnolias, Stepmother/Cinderella (Studio Tenn); Mrs. Phelps, Matilda (AtPro); Mae Tuck/Tuck Everlas(ng (Nashville Children’s Theatre) Jennifer’s film and other performance credits include: President Prexy/ The Cradle Will Rock, (Nashville Opera); Queen Elizabeth/Shakespeare In Love, (Nashville Repertory); Lady Day, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (Wild Card Productions); Ms. H,7 Ways to Sunday (The Theatre Bug); Mayor/Ma/Nun, The Toxic Avenger (Street Theatre Company). Tasha, Motherhood: The Musical (Faby Baby Productions). 

2020 - David Alfrod (1989)

A graduate of Austin Peay State University (B.S. Communication Arts, Theatre) and the Juilliard School for Drama, David was founder and Artistic Director of Mockingbird Theatre in Nashville from 1994-2004. From 2004-2007 he served as Executive Artistic Director of Tennessee Repertory Theatre (now Nashville Rep), the state's largest professional theatre company, and in 2008 became the Rep's first Artist-in-Residence. His plays Spirit: The Authentic Story of the Bell Witch of Tennessee, and Smoke: A Ballad of the Night Riders are produced yearly in his hometown of Adams, Tennessee. In 2011 he completed the design and implementation of a first-ever Dramatic Arts Major at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tennessee. His book Living The Dream: The Morning After Drama School (a DIY guide to the acting business) is available through Kendall Hunt Publishing. Best known as an actor, David appeared as Bucky Dawes in the ABC/CMT television series Nashville. Other screen credits include The Blacklist (NBC), The Last Castle (Dreamworks), A Death in the Family (PBS/Masterpiece Theatre), and Stoker (Warner Bros.). He plays the lead role of Gil Cotton in the web series Local Air, and is the voice of Benjamin Moore Paint's ";Proudly Particular" ad campaign. Recent stage credits include Mr. Marshall in the Manhattan Theatre Club's 2017 Broadway revival of The Little Foxes, and the title role in the regional premiere of David Auburn's The Columnist (Nashville Repertory Theatre).