UNC Asheville Alumni Association Announces 2024 Award Winners

During Homecoming, the University of North Carolina Asheville annually recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the University, their communities, or fields of endeavor. Recipients represent the very best of the UNC Asheville experience and serve as role models for the entire University community. Each will be honored at a special ceremony on February 16 and throughout the Homecoming celebrations. Below are our prestigious 2024 winners:

The Order of Pisgah Award for Alumni Achievement

Named in homage to Mount Pisgah, one of the area’s tallest peaks and the campus’ visual center, the Order of Pisgah recognizes alumni for outstanding achievement in their fields of endeavor.

Christopher Kane ’13

Christopher Kane is the chief politics reporter and White House correspondent for the Washington Blade, the oldest LGBTQ newspaper in the United States. He has published over 500 byline news reports and analytical stories covering Capitol Hill, federal government agencies, and the Supreme Court, along with the White House — where he represents one of only 49 news outlets with a permanent seat in the James S. Brady press briefing room of the West Wing. 

He has interviewed multiple U.S. leaders, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and dozens of other members of Congress serving in both the House and Senate. Recently, he profiled six senior members of the Biden-Harris reelection campaign. Prior to joining the Washington Blade, Kane had a distinguished journalism career covering healthcare and antitrust investigations with a focus on life sciences and pharmaceutical companies. 

Thomas D. Reynolds Alumni Award for Service to the University

Son of the University’s founder and a graduate of the Class of 1937, Thomas D. Reynolds spent 60 years as one of the University’s strongest promoters and most active volunteers. This award recognizes alumni for exemplary service to UNC Asheville.

Kenya Edwards ’00

Kenya Edwards’ leadership and dedication have been instrumental in making positive changes at UNC Asheville. Edward served as a member and eventually chair of the Alumni Association Board of Directors during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. She also served on the Department of Management and Accountancy Advisory Board, where her valuable insights and guidance helped shape and improve the department’s curriculum and programs. She contributed her expertise as a member of the University Task Force on Building Renaming, which was responsible for evaluating and recommending changes to the naming of University buildings, ensuring an inclusive and respectful campus environment.

Currently, Edward serves on the UNC Asheville Foundation Board, where she plays a vital role in supporting the University’s fundraising efforts and strategic initiatives. 

Mullen-James Social Justice and Equity Impact Award

Established in 2022, this award is given annually to a member of the UNC Asheville community in honor of Dee and Charles James, and Dolly Jenkins-Mullen, and Dwight Mullen. These four professors dedicated their personal and professional careers to social justice, equity, and inclusion within their fields. The award is presented to alumni, students, or initiatives that have demonstrated true dedication to systems change work either at the University or broader community level through their actions, advocacy, and/or collaborative partnerships.

Hackett ’02

Joseph T. Hackett, known locally as J. Hackett, has had an incredible community impact by forming and leading a wide variety of businesses and ventures: Black Wall Street-AVL, The Grind Coffee Shop, Grindfest, and Green Opportunities. Hackett is dedicated to making Asheville a business and tourist destination for BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color). Hackett has stayed involved with UNC Asheville and served as a guest speaker at numerous events to offer inspiration to the next generation of leaders. 

Francine M. Delany Alumni Award for Service to the Community

A member of the class of 1966, the University’s first baccalaureate class, and the University’s first African American graduate, Francine Delany contributed a lifetime of service to Asheville and the surrounding community in support of childhood education. This award recognizes alumni for exemplary service to their community, state, or nation.

Kristina Hyatt ’12

Kristina Hyatt is passionate about bringing healthy dental hygiene education to her community and the nation. She is a former Miss Native American USA and used her national platform to promote healthy dental habits. This included traveling extensively and speaking to young audiences about the importance of taking care of their teeth. She has also written a children’s book, “Shelby Goes to the Dentist,” to help children feel more comfortable in that setting and has been affectionately dubbed the “Native Tooth Fairy.” Hyatt is active in her local community and serves on the Cherokee Central Schools Board of Education.

Roy A. Taylor Distinguished Alumnus or Alumna of the Year Award

Named in honor of the University’s first valedictorian, founder of its first Alumni Association, and distinguished member of the United States Congress, the Roy A. Taylor Distinguished Alumnus or Alumna Award is the highest award given to an alumnus/a and recognizes those graduates of UNC Asheville and its predecessor colleges for extraordinary achievement.

Veronica Johnson ’88

Veronica Johnson is the Emmy-award-winning chief meteorologist at 7NEWS WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C. She was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences “Silver Circle,” in recognition for her achievements in the broadcast industry, which includes work at The Weather Channel and WABC in New York City. She was the first meteorologist hired by Sinclair Broadcast Group when the company started its first newscast in 1991 at WBFF TV in Baltimore.

Johnson holds the American Meteorological Society’s prestigious Television Seal of Excellence and Rare Fellow award and served as the chair of the AMA’s Board of Enterprise Communication, where she facilitated science information between researchers, academia, government, and public sector groups. She was the emcee for Senator Barack Obama’s Special Task Force on Climate Change in 2007 and worked on Washington, D.C.’s Joint Center Advisory Committee on Climate Change 2008-2013. She was promoted to her current chief meteorologist position in 2022, becoming the first woman and first Black woman to hold this position.