The Queens University of Charlotte Alumni Association is proud to announce the 2026 Alumni Award winners. Each year, the awards are presented to alumni and friends in recognition of their outstanding professional achievements and exceptional service to Queens and their communities.

The 2026 honorees will be celebrated during Royal Weekend at the Alumni Awards Presentation and Alumni Association Update at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in the Greenhoot Recital Hall located in the Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement. All alumni are invited to attend.

The Sed Ministrare Award – Cathy Parks Loevner ’71

Cathy Parks Loevner was a Dean’s List student at Queens and served as a Student Government class representative. After graduation, she spent several years in Washington, D.C., working for a congressman. Throughout her adult life, Cathy has remained deeply connected to Queens through both leadership and philanthropy, serving on the Board of Trustees and providing generous financial support.

Cathy and her husband, David, have made substantial contributions to the university, including support for the renovation of the Fine Arts Center, where a gallery bears their name. She was instrumental in establishing the Class of ’71 Scholarship and, this year, helped secure its endowment. For several years, Cathy and David also hosted the Queens NYC travel group and fellow alumni at the University Club, strengthening alumni engagement in the New York area.

Beyond Queens, Cathy has been active in her Princeton community, serving on the Princeton University Art Museum Advisory Council and on the Board of Trustees of the boarding school she attended prior to enrolling at Queens. She also played a key role in establishing the Teaching Garden adjacent to Morrison Hall in memory of classmate Betsy Lieblich, in honor of a biology professor’s request that donated funds be used for this purpose. Always willing to help plan for the future of Queens, Cathy is richly deserving of this recognition at her 55th reunion.

The Outstanding Alumni Award – Cat Crisp ’01

Dr. Cat Crisp is board-certified in Pelvic Medicine and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her goal is to provide the highest level of care for each and every patient. She understands that many of the issues she treats can be embarrassing and seeks to provide a comforting, caring environment in her practice with Cincinnati Urogynecology Associates.

Following a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Wright State University in Dayton, OH, she completed three additional years of fellowship training in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. Dr. Crisp is a member of the American Urogynecological Association, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons, and the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati.

She received the Dennis Barber Excellence in Academic Achievement Award and was twice nominated for the Arnold Gold Humanism and Excellence in Medicine Award. Dr. Crisp has twice won the prestigious President’s Award given to the first-place scientific manuscript at the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons annual meeting. Most recently, she was nominated for Cincinnati’s 2014 Forty Under 40 and awarded first place for her presentation at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ district meeting.

Dr. Crisp has been honored with positions on national and local committees, and with her master’s degree in research, she serves as a reviewer for several scientific journals.

Dr. Crisp lives in the Mason area with her husband, Eric, and their three children. Lacy, Colton, and Brennan. Dr. Crisp and her husband also coach the Mason Youth Softball League.

The Alumni Service Award – Chris Barlow ’06

Chris Barlow ’06 and his wife, Perky ’08, live in Charlotte with their four children and are deeply involved in charity work and fundraising for local children’s hospitals. Chris currently serves as Vice President for CCaaS Software Development at Nuso, LLC, while dedicating more than a decade to supporting children’s health through Extra Life, a program of Children’s Miracle Network that engages the gaming community to raise funds for sick and injured kids.

Celebrating his tenth year with Extra Life, Chris has individually raised more than $60,000 for Levine Children’s Hospital (Atrium), coordinating digital engagement and content to elevate awareness of the needs of hospitalized children in the Charlotte region. Fundraising under the name “Sly Fawkes,” he has united fellow gamers and a personal network of donors, becoming the #1 individual Extra Life fundraiser in Charlotte. His commitment is inspired by his own daughter’s medical journey and by witnessing friends’ children receive life-saving care from the cardiology and neonatal intensive care teams at Levine Children’s.

More recently, Chris has partnered with Perky on a new fundraising effort supporting Hemby Children’s Hospital (Novant), continuing their shared dedication to improving outcomes for children and families in their community.

The Graduate Alumni Achievement Award – Christopher Dennis EMBA ’16

Christopher Dennis is a real estate developer, entrepreneur, community builder, and sought-after international inspirational speaker whose work sits at the intersection of economic development, education, and social impact. A proud graduate of Queens, he has spent more than 15 years strengthening historically underserved communities through thoughtful development, mentorship, and expanded access to opportunity.

As Founder and Principal of E-Fix Development Corp, Christopher has led revitalization efforts across C正规博彩平台 Corridors of Opportunity, transforming underutilized commercial sites into neighborhood anchors that bring essential services, small businesses, and stable employment back to overlooked communities. Through E-Fix Housing Solutions and QC Property Management Group, he also advances housing stability and long-term neighborhood health, integrating responsible ownership with hands-on community engagement. His work is guided by a community-first development model rooted in the belief that strong communities foster strong businesses.

Beyond development, Christopher is the Founder of Community Dream Builders, a nonprofit focused on youth empowerment, small-business incubation, and community-driven revitalization in C正规博彩平台 Historic West End. He also created Real Estate & Roast, a weekly education platform that has generated an estimated $6 million in community economic impact in just one year.

Honorary Alumni Award – Sarah Fatherly, Ph.D.

Sarah Fatherly is the chief operations officer, provost, and vice president for academic affairs for Queens, overseeing all academic programs and services. With over two decades of experience in higher education administration, Fatherly joined Queens in 2012 as associate provost and dean of university programs, providing a renewed focus on student success and retention initiatives, before subsequently moving into the provost role in 2017.

With leadership transitions, she recently stepped in as the university’s chief operations officer, a role that includes oversight of all campus operations and management of the senior leadership team. In addition to scholarship in her academic fields of study, Fatherly has published and presented widely on scaling high-impact practices, equity-minded curriculum innovation, faculty development practices, and campus partnerships for student success. She earned a B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College, an M.A., and a Ph.D. in United States History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with specializations in early American and women’s history.

The 10 Under 10 Awards

Candidates for this award are undergraduate alumni from the past ten years who have distinguished themselves and made a noticeable impact in their careers, their communities, or their service to Queens. These young alumni have achieved noteworthy accomplishments in a short time since graduating from Queens.

Lawrence Bell ’16

A proud alumnus of Queens, Lawrence Bell has built a career foundation guided by purpose, curiosity, and connection. He began his professional journey at ESPN, where he gained invaluable experience supporting major college sporting events nationwide.

Today, Lawrence serves as an Account Director at Octagon, a global sports and entertainment marketing agency that connects brands, athletes, and fans through meaningful partnerships. In this role, he helps bring global sports partnerships to life, including Olympic and Paralympic sponsorship initiatives valued at more than $400 million. At the heart of his work is a belief in storytelling as a force for inspiration. Lawrence is deeply committed to giving back — serving as a mentor and advocate for young professionals and intentionally paying forward opportunities to help shape the next generation of sport industry leaders.

William Brown ’16

William Brown is a Charlotte, North Carolina, native who takes great pride in his roots and in his commitment to the community that shaped him. He began his collegiate journey at Belmont Abbey College before transferring to Queens, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communication in 2016.

Following graduation, William launched his professional career in the healthcare industry before transitioning to commercial banking, where he has built a strong reputation for leadership, client service, and community engagement. He spent eight years with Bank of America, achieving the distinction of Pinnacle Banker, and was deeply involved in supporting clients and community initiatives throughout the Charlotte region. William currently continues his banking career with U.S. Bank, where he remains committed to helping individuals and businesses achieve long-term financial success.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, William has dedicated significant time to volunteering and participating in local events, reflecting his passion for giving back and strengthening the Charlotte community. Outside of work, he enjoys being outdoors, spending time with family, camping, hiking, hunting, traveling, and helping others whenever possible.

Lauren Cassidy ’19

Lauren Cassidy is an interdisciplinary artist and music therapist based in Philadelphia. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Queens in 2019 and has been a Music Therapist -Board Certified since 2020.

Since graduating, Lauren has primarily worked with older adults in skilled nursing and hospice settings, but she now works as a music education administrator and teacher. Outside of her music therapy career, Lauren is an active artist and musician known for creating works of art, which are playable as music compositions, and composing music that is best noted as visual art. Her visual and musical works have been featured in numerous galleries, publications, and museums, including Woodmere Art Museum and the Smithsonian-affiliated Annmarie Sculpture Garden. Her first solo exhibition, “Transfigurations: The Intersection of Art and Music,” opened at Da Vinci Art Alliance in Philadelphia in 2024.

Lauren is currently participating in the “Future Continuous” show at the Center for Emerging Visual Arts and is a recipient of the Illuminate the Arts grant. Additionally, Lauren plays guitar in the fun-punk band Astro Alloy. The band has completed tours on the East Coast and in the Southwest and is currently working on recording their second album.

Danielle Coney ’16

Danielle Coney is an internal auditor in the banking industry whose professional accomplishments and community involvement over the past decade reflect a deep commitment to excellence and service. Originally from Augusta, Georgia, she came from a military family that believed in serving and giving back.

From elementary school until now, Danielle has always lived a life of service. Whether it be the American Red Cross, Toys for Tots, the Crisis Assistance Ministry, or even joining the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., which provides service to all mankind. In addition to serving her community, Danielle continues to excel in her professional career. Danielle completed her master’s in accounting, was promoted to Vice President at Truist Bank, and received her company’s Rising Star Award.

Outside of her career, she finds joy in being a mother, traveling, cooking, hosting game nights, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Ninah Dickson ’24

Ninah-Miriam Dickson Kiraya is a dedicated advocate for inclusive development, climate finance, and women’s economic empowerment. A UWC alumna from Tanzania and Presidential Scholar at Queens, she earned dual honors degrees in Political Economy and Public Health before continuing her studies at Oxford and receiving a full-ride scholarship to Brown University, where she is completing her Master of Public Affairs with a focus on Data Analysis. Her professional experience spans global development and sustainability work with the World Bank Treasury, United Nations Foundation, and Arabella Advisors, including participation in the World Bank–IMF Annual Meetings.

At Brown, Ninah-Miriam serves as a Teaching Assistant and a Belonging & Support Inclusion Fellow, mentoring students in social entrepreneurship and strengthening intercultural and affinity groups across campus. She co-leads a study group on courts and policymaking with a U.S. District Court senior judge and is conducting research on digitizing savings groups to advance women traders’ economic opportunities in Tanzania.

Maria Fernanda Garcia-Castillo ’24

Maria Fernanda Garcia-Castillo has been a dedicated healthcare advocate since the age of 16, beginning her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant during the COVID-19 pandemic and later working in home healthcare with Medicare patients at the end of life. At Queens, she flourished as a leader and advocate, serving as President of Healthcare Justice at Queens and expanding her work into health policy and political advocacy. She went on to join the Board of Healthcare Justice NC and represented Queens at Students for a National Health Program (SNaHP), notably as the only representative from a university without a medical school.

Throughout her undergraduate summers, Maria Fernanda volunteered and worked with the NC Farmworkers Project, helping deliver free healthcare to farm workers and their families while collaborating with medical faculty and students from several North Carolina medical schools. She is currently completing a two-year MedServe Fellowship as an AmeriCorps member at the Community Free Clinic in Cabarrus County, where she supports physicians across specialties in providing completely free medical, pharmaceutical, laboratory, dental, and vision care. Guided by her belief that healthcare is a human right, she continues to serve patients with compassion and purpose.

In response to growing fear and uncertainty among immigrant communities, Maria Fernanda founded Project Red Cards, an initiative that educates individuals about their constitutional rights when approached by immigration authorities. Through this effort, she distributed more than 12,000 red cards across the Charlotte metro area, partnered with advocacy organizations, and reached over 150,000 people through media appearances and social platforms. As she prepares to apply to medical school, Maria Fernanda remains committed to advancing health equity and serving underrepresented and underserved communities as a future physician.

Corey Jenkins ’21

Corey Jenkins, MT-BC, NMT™, earned her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Queens, completing her academic coursework in December 2021 and her clinical internship at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, after which she received her diploma in August 2022. She has been a board-certified music therapist serving the Charlotte, North Carolina community since 2022 and is currently employed with Piedmont Music Therapy while pursuing her Master of Music Therapy at Duquesne University.

Since graduating from Queens, Corey has become a Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT™) Professional Affiliate and is deeply committed to mentorship and professional development, having served as a supervisor for music therapy interns. Building on this passion, she is preparing to launch a music therapy podcast this year dedicated to supporting interns, students, and early-career professionals. Corey has remained actively engaged in professional service, including involvement as a board member of the Music Therapy Association of North Carolina. She will also be presenting at the American Music Therapy Association’s Southeastern Regional Conference in March, reflecting her commitment to advancing clinical practice, education, and the music therapy profession.

Claire Lechtenberg ’17

Claire Lechtenberg is a rising leader in C正规博彩平台 arts and nonprofit sector. As Director of Development & Marketing at The Independent Picture House, C正规博彩平台 only nonprofit arthouse cinema, she has helped grow and retain the organization’s donor base, double its grant success rate, and lead a $725K major gift campaign to expand its community footprint.

Claire was named the 2025 Outstanding Emerging Fundraising Professional by AFP Charlotte, recognizing her impact in building sustainable revenue and championing inclusive, mission-driven programming. She also represented IPH as a featured speaker at Art House Convergence’s 2025 national conference and was accepted into the prestigious 2025 Art House Cinema Training Program in Berlin through the International Confederation of Arthouse Cinemas (CICAE).

Beyond her development work, Claire is known for building meaningful community connections —curating donor experiences, launching monthly members-only screenings, and coordinating special events like IPH’s annual Oscars Watch Party & Fundraiser and a regional donor trip to the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. A proud Queens alumna, Claire continues to lead with creativity, strategy, and heart, making space for storytelling that educates, engages, and enables the Charlotte community.

Keegan Rapp ’21

Keegan Rapp graduated from Queens with a degree in Political Science in 2021. During his time at Queens, he took a semester abroad with JBIP to Sweden and completed an internship at the Washington Center in Washington, D.C. Since graduation, he has been a two-time AmeriCorps volunteer, first as a Team Leader in AmeriCorps NCCC in Colorado with Habitat for Humanity, then as a local government fellow in Granville County North Carolina with Lead for North Carolina.

Most recently, Keegan completed two years teaching English in Japan as a JET Program Assistant Language Teacher in Kagoshima. Now, Keegan is a departing Peace Corps community and economic development volunteer who will be going to Albania in January 2026. Keegan strives to live up to the Queens motto — “not to be served, but to serve.”

Sydney Stepney ’21

Sydney Stepney is a healthcare leader originally from Atlanta, Georgia, with a strong commitment to advancing health equity and strengthening healthcare systems. She earned her undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Queens, majoring in Health Sciences with a minor in Public Health, and was honored as the Class of 2021 recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for character, leadership, and service. She went on to earn her Master of Health Administration, graduating magna cum laude, from The Ohio State University in 2023.

Sydney completed a competitive two-year Administrative Fellowship at Johns Hopkins Medicine, where she gained broad experience across clinical, operational, and strategic initiatives. She currently serves as a Program Manager for the University of Texas Health Intelligence Platform (UT-HIP) Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative (TPI), where she leads a multidisciplinary team advancing statewide healthcare initiatives through strategic planning, clinician engagement, and program execution.

As a proud Queens alumna, Sydney credits the university with accelerating the trajectory of her career by fostering leadership, purpose-driven service, and meaningful mentorship. Queens also provided lifelong friendships and a supportive community that continues to shape her personal and professional journey.