Cy Creek Wall of Honor

Cypress Creek High School is proud of all of the exemplary citizens that have walked through our commencement ceremonies over the years. A committee of proud citizens has formed an initiative to honor our graduates who have made outstanding contributions to their field or to society in general. The Wall of Honor was instituted in 2013 with 9 inductees and has added outstanding graduates each year since. The committee strives to continue to seek out and honor additional inductees.

The purpose of the Wall of Honor Project is to acknowledge the outstanding contributions and lifetime achievements of former Cypress Creek Cougars in a variety of categories, including, but not limited to athletics, performing and visual arts, humanitarian efforts, business and industry, politics and government, health sciences, research and development, medicine and technology.

The Wall of Honor Committee is now accepting nominations for Wall of Honor candidates. To be considered for this year's induction ceremony, please submit your nomination using the form below by February 1st, 2020.

We hope that the student body and community will be inspired by these role models and strive to emulate their high levels of motivation, integrity and achievement.

To learn more about submitting a Nomination Form, click here.

Current Inductees include:

(click names below to learn more about each inductee)

Sam Adams, Professional Athlete (class of 1991)

Sam Adams

Played college football at Texas A&M University 1991-1994
Drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks 1994
Southwest Conference Newcomer of the Year 1991
First Team All-American 1991
All South West Conference 1992
Consensus First Team All-American 1993
Named National Defensive Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated 1993
Named South West Conference Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated 1993
Runner-Up for the Lombardi Award 1993
Played in the 2000 and 2001 Pro Bowls
Played with the Baltimore Ravens 2000-2001; Super Bowl Champions (XXXV), 2000
Inducted into the Texas A&M Hall of Fame 2001
Played with the Oakland Raiders 2002; Played in Super Bowl (XXXVII), 2002
Currently a businessman in Seattle, Washington

Kevin Beam, Veterinary Medicine (class of 1990)

Kevin Beam

1993 NAIA 2nd Team All American Quarterback
1994 NAIA 1st Team All American Quarterback
Three time Academic All-Conference
1994 Hardin Simmons University BS in Chemistry
1998 1999 President, Student Chapter of American Veterinary Medical Association
1999 Most Outstanding Veterinary Student Scholarship
2000 Texas A&M University Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine
2006 Indicted into the Hardin Simmons Athletic Hall of Fame
2000 to Present- Partner/Owner Alvarado Veterinary Clinic, currently the largest multi-species veterinary hospital in Texas, employing 16 veterinarians and 50 employees.
Member North American Academy of Veterinary Orthopedic Surgeons, American and Texas Veterinary Associations, and Texas Equine Veterinary Association
2011-2016 Board Member, Tarrant County Veterinary Association
2013- President Tarrant County Veterinary Medical Association
Dr. Beam also serves as the Medical Director and head of the Internship and Externship programs

Jason Colbert, Military, (class of 1984)

Jason Colbert

1986 Enlisted in the United States Army Infantry; honorably discharged in 1989
1993 Graduated from Texas Tech University with Bachelor of Arts
Commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Field Artilley
1995 Graduated from the University of Houston with a Masters Degree in Public Administration
1995-2000 Served as Platoon Leader, Executive Office and Fire Support Officer in the 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
Served as Commander, Brigade Fire Support Officer and Operations Officers in the 1st Cavalry
Division, For Hood, Texas (2000-2004) and in Baghdad, Iraq (2004-2005) during Operation Iraqi Freedom
2005-2007 Selected to attend the Navy Post Graduate School, earning a Master of Science in Information Operations.
2007-2009 Served as Director of Information Operations at Fort Polk, Louisiana and Afghanistan
2009-2013 Served as Director of Special Operations Support for a classified Special Ops Task Force, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas and in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lieutenant Colonel Colbert’s awards include: The Bronze Star, The Joint Meritorious Service Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal (2), The Army Commendation Medal (4), the Combat Action Badge, parachutist Badge (airborne), and Air Assault.

Susan Collins, Professor/Behavioral Science (class of 1994)

Susan Collins

Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, 2009 - present; Adjunct Associate Professor in Psychology, University of Washington; Co-Director of Harm Reduction Research and Treatment Center; Clinical Psychologist, Harborview Medical Center 2016 - present.
Education: Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Washington; PhD Clinical Psychology, Syracuse University; MA Clinical Psychology, Syracuse University; Doctoral Internship, Yale University School of Medicine; BA Psychology and French, University of Texas at Austin.
Grants: University of Washington Science in Medicine New Investigator Award 2015; Syracuse Graduate Fellowships 1998-1999, 2001-2002; Rapoport-King Research for outstanding undergraduate research proposals - 1997.
Teaching: to prepare the next generation of medical, nursing, social work and psychology providers at University of Washington Harborview Medical Instructor, 2011- present; University of Washington 2008-2014; University of Tubingen and University Hospital, Germany 2006-2007.
Research Topics: to improve quality of life and to help people with the reduction of drugs and alcohol use through scientific evidence-based substance use treatment; harm reduction treatment for homeless smokers, with alcohol disorders and dependence; law enforcement assisted diversion program; optimal treatment using brief interventions at Emergency Services Center , 2000-2017.
Articles/Presentations: 52 peer-reviewed articles; 7 abstracts, book chapters, encyclopedia entries. Professional conferences 1999-2016 (53) plus German clinical workshops.
Honors/Awards: 2015 University of Washington Science-in-Medicine New Investigator Award; 2015 Invited to the White House to speak with the President's Domestic Policy Advisors; 2012 G. Alan Mariatt Award for Contributions to Alcohol Research; Over $6 million in total funding awarded from National Institutes of Health and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Laura and John Arnold Foundation, and others.

Nick Drago, Performing Arts (class of 1999)

Nick Drago

Oklahoma City University – BA in Dance Performance
Lambda Chi Alpha, Theta Delta Zeta – Fraternity Educator
Featured in Dance Teacher, Dance Spirit, and Dancer Magazine cover
Los Angeles – Professional dancer, actor, writer, film maker
Appeared in music videos, television shows, television commercials, and film
Co-Owner – Flow 20 Dance Works
Co-Host – Nick & Desiree’s Infinite Dance Cast
Co-Owner – Another Good Sandwich Productions

David Edgerton, United States Navy (class of 1994)

David Edgerton

Graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1998
Earned a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas 2000
Served in the United States Navy as a submarine officer achieving the rank of commander in 2014
Division Officer on the USS Honolulu (SSN 718) from 2001-2004 with deployments in the 5th and 7th fleets, and a surfacing at the North Pole, The ship earned the Navy Unit Commendation
Engineer Officer on the USS Ohio (SSGN 776) (Blue Crew) from 2006-2008 during which time the ship’s awards included the Meritorious Unit Commendation
Executive Officer on USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) from 2011-2012 during which time the ship received numerous awards including the Presidential Unit Citation
Commander Edgerton became the Commanding Officer of the USS Columbia (SSN 771) in May 2015
As of 2015, personal awards included the Navy Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (4), and Navy Achievement Medal (3)

TJ Farnsworth, Entrepreneur (class of 1996)

TJ Farnsworth

2001 – Graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
2005 – Founder of SightLine
Named to Inc. Magazine’s list of fastest growing companies in the US-2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
2012 – Named as one of the “40 Most Influential Houstonians under 40”
2012 – Inducted to the University of Texas Hall of Legends
2014 – Named as the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Healthcare
2014 – Founder of Inception Fertility Ventures

Katie (Dildy) Goossen, US Military (class of 2000)

Katie (Dildy) Goossen

Appointed to the United States Air Force Academy – 2000
Team Captain of the USAF Academy Inter-Collegiate Volleyball Team 2002-03
USAF Academy Representative to the Mountain West Athletic Conference
Selected as one of 200 of the “World’s Most Outstanding Young Scholars and Graduate Students” to attend the International Achievement Summit – 2003
Recipient of Alberta Bart Holiday Scholarship, Oxford University for a Master’s Degree
Second ever female Wing Commander in the history of the Air Force Academy – 2003
Graduated from the USAF Academy as Distinguished Graduate (top 10%) – 2004
Current Occupation – Director of Human Resources, Scaled Composites, Mohave, California, creators of the first ever privately funded space ship (Space Ship One)

Chris Hutchinson, M.D., Athletics and Medical (class of 1988)

Chris Hutchinson

1989: Sporting News Freshman All American, University of Michigan.
1989-1992: 4 year Starter for Michigan.
1989-1993: 2 Rose Bowl Championships, 4 Rose Bowls, 5 Big-Ten Championships
1990-1992: Three time Academic All-Big Ten
1991: All Big-Ten Defensive Tackle
1992: Multiple Recognitions

Academic All American - 2nd Team
College Football All-American Team - 1st Team
Team MVP, Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year
Set UM record in single season sack yardage (99), single season sack total (11), second highest career sacks (24).

1993: Selected by Cleveland Browns as a free agent, but chose a career in medicine.
1994: Graduated University of Michigan Medical School, received the SAEM Award for Excellence in Emergency Medicine
1995: Graduated Emergency medicine Residency and earned Outstanding Resident Achievement Award, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI
2000-2018: Publications and Presentations on Orthopedics and concussions in sports
2010-2018: Assistant Professor at Oakland University William Beaumont Medical School
Currently: Continues to practice Emergency Medicine at Williams Beaumont Hospital

Paul Janish, Professional Athlete (class of 2001)

Paul Janish

Played baseball for Rice University 2002-04
Chosen to Western Athletic Conference All Star Team 2002 and 2004
Played on Rice Owls College World Series Championship Team – 2003
Chosen in the Major League Baseball draft by the Cincinnati Reds organization – 2004
Played Minor League Baseball for the Reds during 2004-07
Called up to the majors in 2008 where he played from 2008-2011
Played for the Atlanta Braves during the 2012-13
Played for the Baltimore Orioles 2015-16

Chris Knaute, U.S. Military (class of 2003)

Chris Knaute

Appointed United States Air Force Academy 2003; graduated 2007.
Team Captain U.S Air Force Academy Men’s swimming team, 4 times chosen MVP; 9-time mountain West conference champion, 2-time conferee swimmer of the year; 2 time NCAA All-American;U.S Air Force Academy Outstanding Athletic Achievement and Athletic Excellence Award recipient- 2006 and 2007.
Admitted into U.S Air force world class program for swimming, 2007-2008; Competed in 2007 World Military Games and 2008 US Olympic Trials.
Attended U.S Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot training, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; piloted T-6 Texan II and T-I Jayhawk aircraft, 2009-2010;
Stationed at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas; piloted over 2000 flight hours in the KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft; performed inflight aerial refueling in support of combat operations over Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya; flew 990 combat flight hours spanning 5 deployments; 2010-2013
Earned a Masters of Business Administration, Trident University International; 2012
Stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan earned KC-135R instructor and evaluator pilot accolade; also served as Flight Commander, Operations Group Standardization and Evaluations Branch Chief and Wing Executive Offers to the Vice commander; 2013-2016
Military decorations include: 5 Air Medals, Ariel Achievement Medal, and 2 Air Forces Commendation Medals for distinguished military service and combat support operation.
Current occupation as C-40C Clipper Pilot, Major, U.S. Air Force; stationed to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; performs worldwide executive airlift missions for various member of Congress, White House Staff, and Senior military leaders; 2014-present

Keefe Manning, Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering (class of 1991)

Keefe Manning

Ph.D. Virginia Common Wealth University, Biomedical Engineering 2001
M.S, Texas A&M University, Bioengineer 1997
B.S, Texas A&M University, Bioengineer 1995
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University
Associate Professor of Surgery, The Penn State Medical Center
Visiting Professor, Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico de Milano, Italy
J. Tinsley Oden Faculty Fellow, Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES), The University of Texas at Austin 2013, 2015
American Heart Association (AHA) Great Rivers Affiliate Research Committee 2013-2015
Distinguished Honors Faculty, Schreyer Honors College, The Pennsylvania State University 2010-2012 FDA Award
Group Recognition-Critical Path Computational Fluid Dynamics Team 2010
Funding Support for Research Activities in Cardiovascular Devices and Fluid Dynamics
FDA Award Group Recognition-Critical Path Computational Fluid Dynamics Team 2010

Rachel McNeill, Broadcast Journalism (class of 1992)

Rachel McNeill

Reporter for KIMD-TV Big 2 News – Midland, Texas 1995-96
Reporter for KWES-TV – Midland, Texas 1996-97
Reporter for WLFL-TV - Raleigh, North Carolina 1997-99
Anchor/Reporter for WWL-TV – New Orleans, Louisiana 1999-2001
Anchor/Reporter for KPRC-TV – Houston, Texas 2001-Present

Specialties:

Extensive experience as an anchor and reporter,
generating stories, live and breaking coverage,
developing special medical reports

Some of the big stories covered by her over the years include:

The 2013 Presidential Inauguration,
2012 Presidential Election,
Super Bowl XLVI,
2012 Hurricane Sandy/Nor’easter and Gulf Coast hurricane coverage,
United Nations in New York,
2004 Republican Convention,
Space Shuttle tragedy

Honors, Awards, and Affiliations:

Anchored Regional Emmy Award winning Evening Newscast 2006
Named one of New Orleans Magazine’s “People to Watch” July 2000/li>
Hosts the Rachel McNeil Big Golf Challenge and the Big Taste of Houston/li>
Serves as a member of the board for the Zina Garrison Academy Serves on the Advisory Board of Dress for Success

Yehudi Mercado, Art, (class of 1992)

Yehudi Mercado

Has worked in Animation, video games, and comic books for over 20 years.
2004 – 2006 Co-wrote and directed the animated series “The Trevor Romain Project”
2006 Won 2nd Place in the Final Death Big Break Screenwriting Project
2006 Wrote and directed the short film “Monster Job Hunter”, official selection in Fantastic Fest and winner of Best Comedy at Dragon’Con.
2009 Accepted into the NALIP Filmmakers Workshop for writing and directing Mock Trial
2010 – 2012 Wrote and directed “Buffalo Speedway” ( (Devastator Press) graphic novel about his time as a pizza delivery driver in Houston, Texas.
2013 Wrote and illustrated “Pantalones”, TX (Boom/Archaia), a graphic
2014 Wrote and art directed “The Guardians of the Galaxy: The Universal Weapon” mobile game (Disney Interactive Marvel).
2014-2015 Wrote “Rocket Salvage” (Boom/Archaia), a comic mini-series about race car drivers in space.
Art Director at Playmation and Disney Consumer Products
Head at SuperMercado Comics and Films

Bradley Myles, Business and Humanitarian (class of 1998)

Bradley Myles

2002 - Graduated from Stanford University with degrees in Psychology and Political Science; later completed the Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders, Stanford Graduate School of Business.
2004 - Joined the founding team of Polaris Project, a non-profit global leader in the fight against human trafficking, and helped to build Washington D.C.'s first Human Trafficking Task Force.
2006 - Helped to launch and operate the country's National Human Trafficking Hotline.
2010 - Became CEO of Polaris

Served as a national and international media commentator and authority on human trafficking
Helped launch national trafficking hotlines in Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Advocated for the passage of over 100 anti-trafficking laws at the state level.
Helped identify over 40,000 cases of human trafficking in the United States.
2014 - Honoree of the National Civil Rights Museum.
2017 - Skoll Award for National Civil Rights Museum

Dan Neil, Professional Athlete (class of 1992)

Dan Neil

Played football for The University of Texas 1993-1996
Voted as consensus first team All-American 1996
Drafted in the third round (67th overall pick) by the Denver Broncos
Played for the Denver Broncos 1997-2004, starting 104 of 108 games
Won Super Bowl XXXXII (1998) and XXXXIII (1999) with the Broncos
After football, co-hosted “The Morning Rush” in an Austin, Texas ESPN radio affiliate
2010 was the Republican Nominee for the 48th District of the Texas House of Representatives
Currently works in the insurance industry in Austin, Texas

Erin Christine Pettit, Ph.D., Professor/Scientist (class of 1989)

Erin Christine Pettit, Ph.D.

Received her Ph.D. in Geophysics with a specialty in glaciology 1997-2003
Assistant Professor in Geophysics-Research for the University of Alaska 2008-Present New York Times published an article about the educational experience she created “Girls on Ice” in 2008
National Science Foundation Research Fellowship 1998-2003
David A. Johnston Memorial Fellowship for Research Excellence 2000
She has been on eight remote field research expeditions in Antarctica
WINGS World Quest honored her for exceptional research in her field 2007
UAF College of Natural Science and Mathematics Outstanding Teaching Award recipient 2012
In 2013 National Geographic honored her as an Emerging Explorer, a program that recognizes and supports uniquely gifted and inspiring young adventures and scientists

Jamie Rauch, Olympic Athlete (class of 1997)

Jamie Rauch

Olympic Silver Medalist Swimming Men’s 800 Freestyle Relay in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games
Fédération Internationale De Natation (FINA)
World Championship Bronze Medalist Men’s 800 Freestyle Relay 2001 World Swimming Championship
Eighteen time NCAA All-American
Helped lead the University of Texas Men’s Swimming and Diving Team to back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2000 and 2001

Courtney Robertson, Medicine, (class of 1985)

Courtney Robertson

1989 BS Biochemistry, Texas A&M 1993- Medical Degree, University of Texas Medical Branch
1996 Pediatric Residency, University of North Carolina 1999- Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship, University of Pittsburg
1999- 2009 Assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine
2009- Present Associate Professor, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Attending Physician, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, John Hopkins University Associate Fellowship Director, Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship, Co-Director of Pediatric Neurocritical Care Program, John Hopkins University.
2002-2008 NIH K08 Research Grant
2016- Present- NIH R01 Research Grant
Multiple intramural and extramural Research Grants
Author and co-author of over 25 peer reviewed publications
Site principal Investigator in pediatric traumatic brain injury trials
Member of Data and Safety Monitoring Committee in pediatric traumatic brain injury trials.
Recurrent lectures for multiple health care team members; Research member for more than 20 students, fellows, and junior faculty.
Invited speaker for more than 50 national and international conferences; Pediatric Advanced Life Support course instructor.
Founding member of Pediatric Neurocritical Care Research Group
Member of Society of Critical Care Medicine Executive member of National Neurotrauma Society Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics

Tom Ryan, Business and Industry (class of 1983)

Tom Ryan

Chairman of teh Board - Service Corporation International (SCI) (2016 - present) and Chief Executive Officer (2005 - present) of North America's largest provider of funeral and cemetery services, with shares on the New York Stock Exchange.
Joined SCI in 1996 and served a variety of financial management roles; became Chief Executive Officer of European Operations based in Paris, France in 2000. Returned to United States where he was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of SCI in 2002-2015.
Member of the following New York Stock Exchange Boards (NYSE): Board of Directors of Chesapeake Energy (2013-present), Board of Trustees of Weingarten Realty Investors (2012 - present), Board of Directors of Texas Industries (2012-2014).
Charitable/Civic Activities: Board of Trustees of the United Way of Greater Houston, Chairman of the Board of United Way of Greater Houston (2011-2014), Campaign Chair United Way of Greater Houston (2008 - 2009), Board of Directors of Genesys Works, Board Member, University of Texas McCombs Business School Advisory Council, Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Partnership, Board of Greater Houston Community Foundation Governing Council.
Education: B.B.A., University of Texas at Austin, 1987; Vice President, Silver Spurs Honorary Service Organization (1986 - 1987); Treasurer, Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, University of Texas at Austin.

Mike Smith, Performing and Visual Arts (class of 1985)

Mike Smith

Second Unit Director and Stunt Coordinator, Los Angeles, CA 1998-present. The second unit director films action sequences, close-ups, cutaways, following the primary directors style.
Education: Diving Scholarship, Indian River Junior College, FL, Junior College National Champion, 2 time NJCAA All-American; Diving scholarship, Aurburn University, 2 time NCAA Qualifier, 6 time SEC semi-finalist.
Career: Performer of high diving shows at Houston's Astroworld, Las Vegas' Magic Mountain, and MGM Grand. Stunt man and stunt double for Hollywood's action starts. Doubled for Mel Gibson, Ethan Hawke, Christian Bale, and many others. Performed stunts as Batman, James Bond, and others. He drove fast cars, rode wild horses, was blown up, and performed martial arts.
Stunts/Stunt Coordinator - (102 credits). Movies, 1994-2017: Notable - Inner City, 2017; Patriots Day, 2016; Nerve, 2016; Nightcrawler, 21 & Over, Seven Psychopaths, Fast and Furious, Pineapple Express, Mission Impossible III, The Legend of Zorro, Equilibrium, Spider-man, W Were Soldiers, Pearl Harbor, Wild Wild West, the Thin Red Line, Star Trek: Insurrection, Independence Day, Batman Forever. TV Series: The X-Files, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, 24, Grimm, and many others.
World Stunt Awards - Taurus Awards - Best Work with a Vehicle in Need for Speed, 2015. Nominations: Best Fight in The Kingdom, 2008; Best Work with a Vehicle 2003, Best Overall Stunt by a Stuntman in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, 2003; Best Fight in Charlie's Angels, 2001.
Screen Actors Guild Award - Nominated: Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series in Prison Break, 2005.
Stunts Unlimited - The most prestigious Hollywood group of stuntmen, became member 2006 and has served on the Board of Directors multiple times.

Richard Stout, Performing Arts (class of 1982)

Richard Stout

Preforms as the Second Trombonist in the Cleveland, Ohio Orchestra
Serves as the Director of Brass Chamber music at the Cleveland Institute of Music 2001-Present
Serves on the Trombone Faculty at Baldwin Wallace University 2001-Present
Preformed in Jacksonville, Florida Symphony 1988-2000
Preforms locally and nationally, performing or organizing ensembles including The National Brass Virtuosi, The Atelier Ensemble, and the New York Big Brass
His inspiring story is chronicled in his 2011 solo CD release “Increasing Radius”

Blaine Tompkins, Military and Business (class of 1990)

Blaine Tompkins

Graduated from Texas A&M; additional studies in Italy and at Rice University.
Served as a U.S. Navy Lt. Commander, 11 years, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel, 10 years.
Flew the F/A-18 Hornet, the Super Hornet, and the F-16 Viper; completed 3,000 + flight hours, 246 Combat flight hours, and 338 Carrier Arrested Landings.
Selected as F/A-18-F Super Hornet Airshow Demonstration pilot.
Received numerous Navy awards and decorations:

Navy Air Medal with Combat Valor (V) for acts of heroism or meritorious service in aerial flight.
Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V for sustained acts of heroism and meritorious service.
4 Strike-Flight Air Medals; 3 U.S. Navy, 1 U.S. Air Force.

Recruited by Lockheed Martin as a Pilot Subject Matter Expert for F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.
Founded Air Armor Tech in 2011, based on a revolutionary concept of protective air technology he invented, which is used today by military, law enforcement, and civilians both in the U.S. and internationally.
As an inventor, granted two U.S. Patents, 2016 and 2018.

Jeff Ullom, Professor/Director of Undergraduate Studies (class of 1990)

Jeff Ullom

Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Theater Studies, Case Western Reserve University, 2010 - present. Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University.
Bachelor of Arts, Vanderbilt University, cum laude, 1994; Master of Arts, University of Illinois, 1995 and PhD, 2000.
Nominated by Case Western University students for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching 2009, 2011, 2013, and previously at Vanderbilt University. Introduced new courses on musicals, contemporary theater, theatrical credibility, and dramaturgy (art of writing and producing plays).
Author of two books: The Humana Festival: A History of New Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville, 2008; and America's First Regional Theatre: The Cleveland Play and Its Search for a Home, 2014.
PBS featured a documentary based upon his Book America's Theater (2016). He was interviewed and contributed as a script consultant.
Awarded Tennessee Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship, 2007; Best Director, Nashville Scene, 2004; received 10 Research Grants, 2003-2015.
Published playwright as well as award-winning director of plays and musicals.
Professional dramaturg, including world premiere plays by Pulitzer prize and Tony Award-winning playwrights.
Presentations and panel discussions for conferences as well as published articles in academic journals worldwide; theater history consultant for numerous professional regional theaters.
Numerous media presentations for PBS, NPR, Radio WCRN, Fox News at 6 pm WJW Television, Case Western Observer, 2011-2016

Josh Williams, Professional Athlete (class of 1995)

Josh Williams

Played football for the University of Michigan 1996-1999
Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft
Played 6 seasons for the Colts appearing in 73 games from 2000-2005
Received the Thomas W. Moses Sr. /Noble Max Award in 2000
Volunteered for Horizon House, Homeward Bound
Honorary Co-Chair for Samantha’s House Foundation
Founded the “Tackling Homelessness”, Horizon House’s annual fund raising event
Recipient of the Jay Meador Award for Outstanding Volunteer in 2005

Keith Wright, MD; Medicine and Technology (class of 1986)

Keith Wright, MD

Nix Medical Center, San Antonio, Chief of Surgery, 2006-2016; President of Medical Staff 2018, Medical Co-director of Bariatric Surgery Program, 2003-present. On active staff of Methodist Hospital System, Baptist Health Care System, Foundation Surgical Hospital, San Antonio.
Co-founder of South Texas Surgeons in San Antonio, specializing in minimally invasive and weight-loss surgery, and involved in training other surgeons in procedures and patient management.
Graduated from University of Texas at Austin with degree in Biochemistry, 1990. Received Doctor of Medicine with high honors from UT Medical Branch in Galveston, 1994; Surgical research fellowship, UT Southwestern in Dallas, 1996-1999; Instructor UT Southwestern Allied Health Science School, 2000; Completed surgical training at UT Southwestern in Dallas, 2001.
Consultant fro Allergan, USA, Inc. and Apollo Endosurgical, providing insight for new surgical products and techniques.
Many national publications and presentations.
Association Memberships: Fellow, American College of Surgeons, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Society of American Gastointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, Parkland Surgical Society, Texas Medical Society, Bexar County Medical Society, UTMB San Antonio Regional Leadership Committee.
Professional Honors: Best in Cancer Research Award, Herman A. Barnett Memorial Award in Surgery and Anesthesiology, 1994; Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Medical Society, 1994; "top Doctor for general and bariatric surgery" as presented in Scene in SA Monthly Magazine four consecutive years.