Purpose in Practice

Each year, Rollins honors alumni who carry forward the College’s ethos in distinct and meaningful ways through leadership, service, innovation, and a commitment to the greater good. This year’s recipients represent a wide range of paths and professions, each shaped by a shared foundation at Rollins. From shaping the arts and advancing medicine to leading global conservation efforts and serving at the highest levels of government, the 2026 honorees demonstrate what it means to lead with purpose and passion.

Distinguished Alumni Award

Recognizes alumni who have demonstrated outstanding success and achieved remarkable distinction through their professional accomplishments

William H. Noah ’82

Board-certified in pulmonary disease and sleep medicine, William H. Noah has played a key role in advancing treatment and awareness in a field that directly impacts quality of life for millions. After graduating with honors from Rollins, Noah went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Tennessee, followed by an internal medicine residency, a chief residency, and a pulmonary fellowship at the University of Utah. Over the decades, he has built a distinguished career grounded in clinical excellence, research, and organizational leadership.

Chris Russo ’82

For Chris Russo, the road to the National Radio Hall of Fame began at Rollins, where he called games on WPRK and built the foundation for a groundbreaking career. He went on to pioneer the two-person sports talk format on WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog and later launched SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio. Across nearly four decades, Russo has helped redefine how fans engage with sports.

Alumni Service Award

Recognizes alumni who provide exceptional leadership to the College and their community through volunteerism and service activities

Alexandria Crawford ’16

For Alexandria Crawford, service is rooted in connection, with storytelling and the arts as tools for impact. A Chicago-based actor and teaching artist, she has spent more than five years supporting the Rollins Department of Theatre & Dance through mentorship, advocacy, and leadership. In 2020, she helped lead the department’s Color Action Group, laying the foundation for its Anti-Racism Action Plan. She remains an active alumni voice in its implementation and a leader within the BRAVE Ensemble.

Fred Rogers Global Citizenship Award

Recognizes prominent alumni who exemplify the Rollins mission of global citizenship and responsible leadership through their extraordinary achievements and impact on society

Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska ’22MBA

Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska embodies global citizenship through a career defined by leadership and service. From commanding nuclear submarines to advising at the highest levels of national defense, Roncska believes that relationships drive lasting success—a philosophy he deepened in his study of leadership at the Crummer Graduate School of Business. Today, through his “Leading with Love” framework, Roncska equips leaders across industries to build trust, elevate others, and create lasting impact on a global scale.

Thane Maynard ’76

As executive director of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Thane Maynard has spent nearly five decades in service to wildlife conservation through the power of storytelling and education. He first found his voice on WPRK before reaching millions through classrooms, radio, and national media. Under his leadership, the “Greenest Zoo in America” celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2025, advancing Maynard’s lifelong mission to connect people with wildlife.

Young Alumni Achievement Award

Recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of alumni who graduated within the past 10 years

Zoe Mack ’15

Zoe Mack is working on the front lines of conservation science. As an associate pathologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society, she studies disease across species and continents, helping inform critical conservation strategies. A graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, she completed her residency at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, achieving board certification in 2022. From discovering new pathogens to advising species survival programs, she is bringing expertise and urgency to protecting biodiversity worldwide.