2022 Alumni Award Winners

Congratulations to the 2022 Alumni Award winners. Seven alumni were honored at Chapel Jan. 25, 2023.

Distinguished Alumnus Award

Dr. Jay Strack, Class of 1975

For more than four decades, Dr. Jay Strack has shared his story of overcoming poverty, abuse, broken homes, and drug addiction. Strack is a highly sought-after speaker and author who has ministered to over 15 million people throughout the United States and abroad. He has spoken to professional basketball, football, and baseball teams, as well as corporate groups and government entities. Strack has a long list of accomplishments, including service on the faith initiative teams of three presidents, serving as vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, being a Hall of Fame honoree for the Southern Baptist Conference of Evangelists, and working to build coalitions with foreign governments. He is the founder and president of Student Leadership University, a premier global leadership training institute for students, educators, and youth pastors. SLU teaches future-tense thinking, dreaming with direction and detail, and transformational leadership.

Outstanding Alumnus Award

Dr. Tanya Lott, Class of 1999

Dr. Tanya Lott is an exceptional RN who has excelled academically and professionally since graduating from CSU in 1999. Lott was a member of CSU’s second BSN class. She helped lead the Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital in achieving Magnet designation by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center Magnet® Recognition Program. Magnet designation is the most prestigious recognition a healthcare organization can receive for its commitment to excellence in nursing practice and patient outcomes. Under her leadership, Bon Secours St. Francis was the first hospital in the Lowcountry and only the second in South Carolina to receive this recognition in 2010. She later success- fully helped lead the hospital to receive subsequent Magnet redesignation in 2015 and 2020, making Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital the first hospital to receive Magnet designation three times.

Outstanding Young Alumnus Award

Dr. April Sanders, Classes of 2012, 2016, and 2021

Dr. April Sanders is a three-time graduate of Charleston Southern University. She graduated summa cum laude in 2012 with a degree in elementary education. She began her teaching career at Williams Memorial Elementary School in St. George, earning Rookie Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards. Sanders earned her master’s degree in elementary administration in 2016. She served as the assistant principal/ curriculum specialist at St. George Middle School for three years while working on her doctoral degree at CSU. In 2021, Sanders graduated with the inaugural EdD class at Charleston Southern. She currently serves as the principal of Clay Hill Elementary School in Ridgeville.

Alumnus Community Service Award

John Ramsey, Class of 1973

John Ramsey has devoted himself to serving his community. For 30 years, he has served as a reserve deputy sheriff for the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office, holding the rank of lieutenant. He has served on Charleston Southern University’s Board of Visitors for over 20 years. Ramsey is a past board member at Spartanburg Methodist College. He serves on the board of Genesis Heath Care, a nonprofit healthcare facility that serves Darlington, Walterboro, and Goose Creek. In addition to his other activities, Ramsey finds time to serve on the Darlington County Airport Commission and is a member of the Kiwanis Club in Darlington.

Alumnus Service Award Archie Franchini, Class of 1973

Archie Franchini is the longest consecutive giver to Charleston Southern University, giving to CSU every year for the last 40 years. Franchini was an active member of the CSU Alumni Association from 1973 to 2000. He was twice president of the Board and served as vice president and treasurer. During his presidency, the Alumni Awards and Alumni Scholarship Fund were established. He is currently a member of the Buc Club. Franchini has served the greater community through his dedication to education. He retired in 2017 as deputy superintendent of Berkeley County Schools after a 44-year career in public school education. He worked in the Charleston County School District for 17 years, Dorchester County District 2 for 11 years, and the Hampton County School District for five years. He served in various positions, including teacher, principal, and deputy superintendent of schools. Franchini previously served on the board of The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce (including a term on the executive committee), The Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce, The Education Foundation, Trident United Way’s Education Impact Council, was treasurer of the South Carolina Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, and is past chairman of the advisory board of the Lowcountry STEM Collaborative.

University Mission Award

Dr. Abraham Morrall, Class of 1978

Dr. Abraham Morrall epitomizes Charleston Southern University’s vision of learning, leading, and serving. In 2005, Morrall retired from the United States Air Force after 26 years of honorable service, rising to the rank of colonel and serving in various assignments. As the chief executive officer of Advance Training and Learning Group, he is responsible for the organization’s daily decision-making. He provides consultation services to clients on leadership development, business process improvement, employee development, and strategic planning to build higher-performance organizations. Abe has earned two master’s degrees and a Doctor of Business Administration with a major in human resource management. He has certificates from the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education: Art and Practice Leadership Development and Nonprofit Financial Stewardship, and Villanova University: Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. He is a certified instructor with business course experience teaching organizational, undergraduate, and graduate courses. He has served as past president of the Atlanta Federal Center Toastmasters Club, president of the Scott Mentorship Gold Tournament Group nonprofit, and past president of the Alpha Dite Criterion Fraternity, Inc. community service organization.

Alumnus Military Service Award

Colin R. Huckins, Class of 1997

Colonel Colin R. Huckins retired as director, manpower, personnel, and services for Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), where he led 61 military, civilian, and contractor personnel responsible for planning and executing support for over 15,000 Air Force deployers in the United States Central Command area of responsibility. He commanded twice at the squadron level and served in numerous assignments in the force support career field and other support functions at the Headquarters Air Force, MAJCOM, and wing levels. He deployed numerous times in support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and JOINT FORGE. Huckins commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at CSU. He has earned major awards and decorations: Gerrit D. Foster, Jr. Award for Air Force’s Best Large MPF, USAFE Outstanding Personnel Manager of the Year HQ-Level, Kunsan AB Outstanding Personnel Manager of the Year, Distinguished Graduate, Basic Personnel Officer Course, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one device, Iraq Campaign Medal with one device, Korean Defense Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Medal with gold border and four oak leaf clusters.