19th Annual Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards
Posted on June 6, 2024 by Marketing and Communications
The Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards celebrates the achievements of the University’s remarkable alumni and friends. This annual event is an opportunity to publicly recognize these inspiring individuals. USA alumni are continuously making a difference across the globe and setting an example for future generations of Jaguars.
Click here to read full bios and watch videos for this year's awardees.
DAN OLLIS ’80
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Dan Ollis has spread beauty around the globe through the Los Angeles-based design
firm Swanson-Ollis Interiors. He’s an avid South football fan who hosted an alumni
dinner party in his own exquisite house when the Jaguars played at UCLA.
We love that kind of home team.
DR. PETER LINDQUIST ’06, M.S. ’11
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Dr. Peter Lindquist was passionate about taking care of customers as a teenager working at his family’s auto salvage business in Mobile. He now oversees nursing for HCA Healthcare’s North Florida Division and helps bring healthcare to impoverished children in Haiti.
He won’t toot his own horn, but we will.
ALEXIS ATKINS ’97
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Alexis Atkins enrolled at South while working full time at her family’s business,
Budweiser-Busch Distributing Co. She is vice chair of South’s Board of Trustees, a
former president of the USA National Alumni Association and a tireless volunteer in
the Mobile community.
Now that’s a story worth a toast.
CHANDRA BROWN STEWART ’99
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Chandra Brown Stewart speaks out on behalf of those who have been overlooked or marginalized — as executive director of Lifelines Counseling Services in Mobile and as a community leader and devoted volunteer. Her donation of a friendship bench at the Africatown Heritage House encourages visitors to sit together in conversation.
Let us all listen.
SUSAN AND TRAVIS BEDSOLE JR.
V. GORDON MOULTON DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Travis and Susan Bedsole deeply value education. They have championed literacy programs and facilitated numerous scholarships at South. One of those scholarships reflects two of their passions: learning and Jaguar athletics. It goes to an education major who plays an NCAA sport.
As the Bedsoles say: Go Jags!
DR. JACK DIPALMA
WILLIAM J. “HAPPY” FULFORD INSPIRATIONAL
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dr. Jack DiPalma has brought worldwide respect to the University and USA Health through his leadership in the field of gastroenterology. Revered by his students, he has also built community ties by serving in local organizations. And he coaches South’s bass fishing team.
He’s a big fish in many ponds.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA FOUNDATION
COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD
The University of South Alabama Foundation, led by board President John McMillan and Managing Director Maxey Roberts, stands as a strong partner with South. Its support includes funding for scholarships, healthcare and academic programs, relying on timber and other investments.
We’ll shout our gratitude from the treetops.