VSU Names Five Distinguished Alumni of the Year

VALDOSTA -- The Valdosta State University Alumni Association announced five Distinguished Alumni of the Year during 2011 homecoming festivities.

According to Director of Alumni Relations John Trombetta, this is the first year the university has selected a distinguished alumnus representative from each of the five colleges.

“As the university continues to grow we are looking for ways to recognize the outstanding contributions that our alumni make in their professional lives and community involvement,” Trombetta said. “We asked each of the five colleges to select a graduate to recognize during homecoming.”

The 2011 Distinguished Alumni recipients: Sandra Daniels, Chris Crenshaw, Brian Law, Pat Sullivan, and James G. Tunison.

The College of Nursing selected Sandra Daniels, from Americus, Ga., to be recognized as one of the distinguished alumni. Daniels received a master’s in nursing from Valdosta State in 1986 and a doctorate in 2003 from the Medical College of Georgia (now Georgia Health Sciences University). She was appointed dean of the School of Nursing at Georgia Southwestern State University in 2008. She began her career as a charge nurse at the Americus and Sumter County Hospital, and has worked primarily in Southwest Georgia.

Nationally recognized trombone player Chris Crenshaw was selected by the College of the Arts. Crenshaw graduated in 2005 with a degree in jazz performance. Valdosta State’s Music Department named Crenshaw its Most Outstanding Student. In 2004, he won the Eastern Trombone Workshop National Jazz Solo Competition. The Julliard trained musician is a distinguished member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Valdosta High School Counselor Brian Law was selected to represent the Dewar College of Education. Law holds three degrees from Valdosta State University including a bachelor of science in secondary education in 1993. In 1996, he received his master's in guidance and counseling. In 2001, he obtained his educational specialist degree. In 2004, VSU presented Law with the Graduate of the Last Decade (Gold) Award for his professional and community-service. He has served as president of the Georgia School Counselor Association and is currently president of the American School Counseling Association.

Local entrepreneur and businessman Pat Sullivan was selected by the Langdale College of Business Administration (LCOBA). The 1988 graduate is president and CEO of ClientTell, a privately owned automated appointment reminder and lab reporting service located in downtown Valdosta. ClientTell provides services for clients nationwide ranging in size from small medical practices, to large health care institutions. Sullivan was asked to share his story for corporate success with VSU students, faculty and the local business community during the 2011 Langdale Lecture Series. Sullivan is a founding member of the LCOBA Financial Trading Advisory Board. Active in the community, Sullivan is a member of the Downtown Valdosta Business Association and the Valdosta Heritage Foundation.

The College of Arts and Sciences selected 1985 graduate James G. Tunison, a local attorney and judge for the Southern Judicial Circuit. A native of Valdosta, Tunison earned his J.D. degree from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. He is actively involved in the local community and has served on numerous non-profit boards including The Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Executive Board of America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia, and the Valdosta State University Alumni Association. He previously served as chairman of the Central Valdosta Development Authority.