CCU Alumni Awards
Please join us in congratulating Robbie Jordan '90 for 2022 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, and Brantay Cohens '14 '16 '19 for 2020 Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year.
Nominees for the alumni awards are chosen by a steering committee consisting of the college deans. Criteria for the annual awards include loyalty to CCU, a record of service and accomplishments, and a demonstration of positive attributes.
Robbie Jordan '90
2022 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
Brantay Cohens '14 '16 '19
2022 Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year
CCU announces Outstanding Alumnus of the Year recipients
The Coastal Carolina University Office for Advancement and Alumni Engagement has announced its Outstanding Alumnus of the Year recipients. Robbie Jordan has been posthumously named the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, while Brantay Cohens is the Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year. Cohens received his award during CCU’s men’s basketball game on Jan. 28, 2023, while Jordan was recognized at CCU’s baseball game on May 6, where his family accepted the award on his behalf.
Jordan earned a bachelor’s degree in business from CCU in 1990. Prior to his death in October 2021, he served as the director of finance for Horry County Government. He previously worked with Georgetown County School District and Georgetown Kraft Credit Union. Jordan was an elder at Georgetown Presbyterian Church and the president of the Georgetown High School Booster Club.
“Robbie Jordan was well-liked by everyone,” said Diane Sanders, CCU’s vice president for advancement and alumni engagement. “He loved Coastal and was passionate about giving back to his community in so many ways. We are extremely proud to recognize Robbie with this award and celebrate his legacy with his wonderful family.”
Jordan was a standout member of the Chanticleer baseball team from 1987-1990. As a first baseman, he was named to the All-Big South Conference Team and conference all-tournament team in 1988. In 1989, he led the Chants in doubles with 12; and in 1987, he led the team with 60 runs batted in and tied for the most home runs with seven.
Cohens has earned three degrees from CCU’s Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences (SCESS): a bachelor’s in middle-level education in 2014, a Master's of Education in learning and teaching in 2016, and a Master's of Education in educational leadership in 2019. Cohens serves his alma mater as a member of the SCESS board of visitors and the Alumni Association board of directors. He also volunteers at many University alumni events.
“Brantay Cohens is a Chanticleer through and through,” said Sanders. “From serving on various CCU boards to returning to campus to attend countless events, he is always willing to support his alma mater. The commitment Brantay has for his profession and teaching young students is commendable. He truly represents what it means to be a dedicated member of Teal Nation.”
Since April 2015, Cohens has taught seventh-grade mathematics at Ocean Bay Middle School in Myrtle Beach, S.C. During the 2017-2018 academic year, he was named the school’s teacher of the year and was a top 10 semifinalist for Horry County Schools’ teacher of the year. Cohens also is a Student Council cosponsor, Junior Beta Club sponsor, and lead algebra teacher. He serves as the secretary for the South Carolina Council for Teachers of Mathematics and as a state competition coordinator for the annual South Carolina Junior Beta Club Convention.
While an undergraduate at CCU, Cohens was named the 2012-2013 Student Leader of the Year during the annual Student Involvement and Leadership Awards ceremony.
Past recipients
2020
Thomas Gwyer '98 | Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
Kenneth Lewis Jr. '14 '15 | Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year
2018
Christy Smith Everett '08 | Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
Whitney Shipman Glenn '18 | Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year
2017
D. Wyatt Henderson '98 | Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
Sadara Shine '14 | Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year
2016
Gary Gilmore '80 | Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
Megan Laffin '14 | Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year
2015
Brian Forbus '97 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
James Marino '13 | Distinguished Young Alumnus of the Year
2014
Patrick Sparks '95 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Brooke Donaldson '11 | Distinguished Young Alumnus of the Year
2013
Alexander D. Klaus '05 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Amy McAllister-Skinner '12 | Distinguished Young Alumnus of the Year
2012
Olin Utterback '98 | Business Administration
Amber Campbell '04 | Science
Melanie B. Dozier '11 | Education
Alexandra Tamburro '10 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Dr. Steven Jachec '95 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Alexandra Tamburro '10 | Young Alumnus of the Year
2011
Lisa Rachels '98 | Business Administration
Tim Hardee '78 | Science
Rob Spino '00 | Education
Erin Donovan | Humanities and Fine Arts
Tami Springs Brooks '80 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Jason Repak '07 | Young Alumnus of the Year
2010
Christopher S. Huggins '90 | Business Administration
Robert M. Johnson '98 | Science
Ebbie Gore '87 '00 | Education
R. Walter Hill IV '00 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Delan Stevens '79 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Jason Repak '07 | Young Alumnus of the Year
2009
Thomas Loehr ’80 | Business Administration
Caryn Self-Sullivan ’97 | Science
Melissa McCloud ’95 | Education
Robert Shelton ’97 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
2008
William Marsh '86 | Business Administration
Sachin Gupta '91 | Science
Forrest Alton '99 | Education
Natasha Mabry Hanna '94 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Cynthia Galloway '80 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
2007
Woody Ford '05 | Business Administration
Geoffrey Parsons '88 | Science
Sherry Johnson '96 | Education
Dawn Richardson '98 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Mike Pruitt ’84 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
2006
Mark Adkins '89 | Business Administration
Will Adkins '89 | Business Administration
Joanne Patterson '95 | Science
Georgia Vaught Anderson '74 | Education
Yasemin Kanan Saib '95 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Derek Blanton ’79 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
2005
Mike Pruitt ’84 | Business Administration
Christine Shutter ’94 | Science
Jody Hyden ’88 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Bruce Maggi ’01 | Education
Timothy Meacham ’79 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
2004
D. Wyatt Henderson ’88 | Business Administration
William C. “Bill” Eiser ‘82, ‘84 | Science
Stephanie Horner Toney ’01 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Ashley D. Godwin ’92 | Education
John Trueluck ’00 | Continuing Studies
The Honorable Alan D. Clemmons ’82 | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
2003
Jay Huggins '88 | Business Administration
Tony D. Prince '93 | Science
Janice Cannan ’96 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Sandy Sarvis Brossard ‘79 | Education
Kenneth Charles Canturbury ‘99 | Continuing Studies
2002
Scott Harrelson '86 | Business Administration
Dr. John Bailey '84 | Science
Anita Williams Huggins ‘98 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Mark Roach ‘84 | Education
Paul Sweeney ‘00 | Continuing Studies
2001
Dale Zeglin '84 | Business Administration
Kerry Schwanz '93 | Science
James Guignard ’97 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Johnny Calder ’70, ’89 | Education
Tabby Shelton ’99 | Continuing Studies
2000
Larry D. Coats, Jr. | Business Administration
Stuart Stevens | Science
Ashley L. Bruton ’96 | Humanities and Fine Arts
Debbie Dewitt '80 | Education
Warren Gall '86 | Continuing Studies
Other Past Recipients
William H. Alford ‘77
Fran B. Gilbert ‘78
Ruth S. Kearns ‘68
Michael C. Krug ‘79
Clark B. Parker ‘77
Juli S. Powers ‘79
William E. Stanton ‘86