He credits his time at the university for helping shape him into the person he is today.

Holthouser is the Chief Executive Officer for GoTo Foods, parent company of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, Moe’s Southwest Grill®, McAlister’s Deli®, Schlotzsky’s® and Seattle’s Best Coffee®.

He is a top-performing global executive specializing in the hospitality, restaurant and food service industries, with extensive expertise in new brand development, brand extensions, brand repositioning, loyalty initiatives, franchise management, product development, concept innovation and turnaround management.

For more than 30 years, he leveraged his extensive experience in international business, franchising, brand management and global product development to grow some of the world’s most well-known brands in the hospitality industry.

Under his leadership, hospitality-related companies have thrived with innovative and customer-focused solutions to grow and reinvigorate brands, improve loyalty, create cost savings and drive revenue and unit growth.

He is now leading GoTo Foods into its next phase of growth for its seven food services concepts while delivering value to all company partners, driving results and profitability for franchisees and an exceptional customer experience.

“It is an honor to announce Jim Holthouser as our 2024 Alumnus of the Year. Jim is a three-time UofL graduate who is committed to the university and its mission. We look forward to celebrating him and all the honorees in October at this year’s Alumni Awards,” said Josh Hawkins, assistant vice president for alumni relations and annual giving. “We’d also like to thank Stock Yards Bank and Trust for their continued support of the university and specifically for our program as the Presenting Sponsor.”

The Alumnus of the Year honoree personifies the qualities, mission and values of the university. The award is presented to a graduate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in professional and philanthropic endeavors and who has shown loyalty and support to the entire university.

Holthouser leads an exceptional group of 18 honorees who represent each of UofL’s colleges, schools, military alumni and student affairs division, as well as the signature award winners, who are recognized for extraordinary achievements in their profession and enduring service in their community.

The 2024 Alumni Fellows are:

• James E. Holthouser ’81, ’83, ’85 – Alumnus of the Year
• Audwin A. Helton ’98 – Alumni Ambassador Award
• Derwin L. Webb ’92, ’97 – Diversity Leadership Award
• DeShara C. Doub ’10, ’18 – Emerging Leader Award
• Andrew J. Lombardo ’07, ’13 – Military Alumni Award
• Reba Ann Page ’71, ’76, ’83 – College of Arts & Sciences
• Chris Dischinger ’90 – College of Business
• Ann M. Windchy ’67, ’71, ’80 – School of Dentistry
• Kathryn DeFerrari ’98, ’00, ’15 – College of łÉČËÖ±˛Ą & Human Development
• Latonia Craig ’04, ’06 – Graduate School
• Anita P. Barbee ’01 – Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science
• John E. Montgomery ’64, ’69 -Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
• Salvatore J. Bertolone ’70 – School of Medicine
• Daniel Jenkins ’00 – School of Music
• Mandi D. Walker ’04 – School of Nursing
• Matt Rhodes ’15 – School of Public Health & Information Sciences
• Angela C. Leet ’91, ’92 – J.B. Speed School of Engineering
• Doug Kemper ’86 – Student Affairs Legacy Award

The University of Louisville Wilson Wyatt Alumni Awards are the highest honor bestowed by Louisville Alumni. These awards recognize distinguished graduates who are exemplary ambassadors for the university and their college or school. Recipients reflect the high standing and character of their alma mater.

Each year, as part of the Homecoming celebration, the University of Louisville and Louisville Alumni honor and celebrate the exceptional and diverse achievements of our alumni. The 2024 Alumni Awards will be held Thursday, Oct. 17. For additional information on this year’s honorees, visit .

The 2024 University of Louisville Wilson Wyatt Alumni Awards presenting sponsor is

The Alumni Awards are the highest honors bestowed by Louisville Alumni. Helm is one of 18 honorees who will be celebrated this fall during

Helm received a Bachelor of Arts with highest honors in political science in 1979 and a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the Brandeis School of Law in 1982. She was twice selected as a University of Louisville Alumni Fellow: in 2008, for the College of Arts & Sciences and in 2017, for the Brandeis School of Law.

She retired from Starbucks Coffee Co. after a prestigious 21-year career in legal and human resources roles, including serving on the company’s executive team as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary and executive vice president, chief partner officer (leading human resources).

“Lucy Helm is an extraordinary Cardinal who is deeply committed to UofL’s mission. We are proud and excited to recognize her accomplishments at this year’s Alumni Awards celebration,” said Josh Hawkins, assistant vice president for alumni relations. “Her commitment to excellence inspires all of us to follow her lead and make a positive impact on our community.”

At Starbucks, Helm was a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion, including leading the company’s achievement of gender and racial pay equity in the U.S. She also created Starbucks’ pro bono services program, which became a model for other corporate law departments. Helm is now the global chair of the board of Mercy Corps, a global relief and development organization.

The Alumnus of the Year honoree personifies the qualities, mission and values of the university. The award is presented to a graduate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in professional and philanthropic endeavors and who has shown loyalty and support to the entire university.

Helm joins the 2022 Alumni Fellows who represent each of UofL’s colleges, schools, libraries and student affairs division, as well as the signature award winners, who will be recognized for extraordinary achievements in their profession and enduring service in their community.

The 2022 Alumni Fellows are:

• Charles P. Denny ’75, ’80
• Sadiqa N. Reynolds ’93
• Evan Holladay ’13
• Lois S. Cronholm ’62, ’67
• Lynn Hampton ’78, ’83
• Amy B. Farnsworth ’92, ’95
• Awab Habib ’15
• Michael D. Anthony ’05, ’10
• Renee Campbell ’82
• Gulam Zade ’11
• Carol Friedman Abrams ’68
• Christa-Marie Singleton ’92
• Barry C. Johnson ’81, ’85
• Kimberly Meyer ’92, ’16
• Duke Appiah ’09, ’13
• Norbert E. Paulin ’70

For more than 30 years, the Alumni Awards have honored and celebrated the historic achievements of graduates who are exemplary ambassadors for the university.

“Louisville Alumni is grateful for the strong culture of alumni innovators, educators and collaborators who share the common bond of being UofL graduates,” Hawkins said. “The Alumni Awards is our opportunity to honor and celebrate our extraordinary alumni.” 

The 2022 Alumni Awards presented by Commonwealth Credit Union will be held Thursday, Oct. 20.

The University of Louisville will honor Alice Houston as Alumna of the Year, along with 13 additional Alumni Fellows from UofL’s schools and colleges as well as Libraries and Student Affairs.

Alice Houston, the 2020 Alumna of the Year, earned her Master of łÉČËÖ±˛Ą from UofL in 1975. She received her Bachelor of Science from Baldwin-Wallace College in 1968 and an Honorary Doctorate from Spalding University in 2002.

After a successful 15-year career working at UofL as assistant director of financial aid, Houston and her husband founded Houston Johnson Inc., doing business as HJI Supply Chain Solutions (HJI) along with their friend, Charlie Johnson, in 1994. Houston served as CEO from 2005 until August 2020 when the reins of the family business were turned over to her daughter and son-in-law. HJI is a supply chain logistics company with clients that include Ford Motor Company, Yanfeng, Martinrea, the Brown-Forman Corp. and Humana. More information about Houston is .Ěý

“I am thrilled about the announcement of Alice Houston as our Alumna of the Year,” said UofL President Neeli Bendapudi. “She has been a longtime advocate of UofL and has had an incredible impact on our campus, our past students and the Louisville community. We met during my first weeks on campus. She has been a supporter, a friend and a confidante. Alice truly has the best interests of the University of Louisville at heart.”

The 2020 Alumni Fellows, in alphabetical order by college or school, are:

• , College of Arts and Sciences, 2011
• , College of Business, 1972
• , School of Dentistry, 1972, 1976
• , EdD, College of łÉČËÖ±˛Ą and Human Development, 2007
• J.B. Speed School of Engineering, 1992, 1993
• Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, 1994
• School of Medicine, 1968, 1972
• , School of Music, 2006
• D., School of Nursing, 1991
• School of Public Health and Information Sciences, 2003, 2012, 2015
• Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work, 1980
• , Student Affairs Legacy Award, 1993
• , University of Louisville Libraries, 1968

This year is a virtual celebration featuring video interviews with the honorees as they discuss their time at UofL and the impact of their careers.

The virtual celebration kicks off on Tuesday, Oct. 6 and culminates on Thursday, Oct. 22 of Homecoming week. Each day will feature a celebration video of an honoree on social media and the alumni website.

“The recipients of this year’s Alumni Awards are among the best and brightest UofL has to offer,” said Josh Hawkins, assistant vice president for Alumni Relations and Annual Giving.Ěý“Not only have they each made significant contributions in their respective fields, but they have also had a profound impact in their communities.ĚýThey truly embody what it means to be a UofL graduate. We hope UofL alumni and friends worldwide join us in celebrating this year’s honorees by viewing, sharing and commenting on these videos.”

Other virtual events for UofL’s Homecoming 2020 are planned, with .Ěý

Commonwealth Credit Union is the sponsor of the 2020 University of Louisville Alumni Awards and the preferred credit union partner for UofL.Ěý

The awards ceremony recognizes the top UofL alumni throughout the colleges and units. The Alumni Association selects 13 Alumni Fellows, representing each of the schools, libraries and student affairs. Winners are selected based on their merit and contributions to the community.

Penny Heaton, chief executive officer of The Bill and Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute, is the 2018 Alumna of the Year. Heaton received her undergraduate degree in 1986 and her Doctor of Medicine in 1990. .Ěý

The 2018 Alumni Fellows are:

• Ernest A. Brooks, III, College of Arts and Sciences, 1996

Brooks is a financial advisor affiliated with the brokerage services of COEX Partners Inc. He lives in New Jersey but is heavily involved with the university by partnering with high schools from his hometown and helping students get the support they need to get into college. He also created the Brooks-Gibson Scholarship Fund.

• Lisa Carter-Harris, School of Nursing, 2004, 2013

Carter-Harris serves as assistant professor at the Indiana University School of Nursing and an associate member of Cancer Prevention and Control at the IU Simon Cancer Center. Her research targets the reasons behind whether or not people choose to engage in lung cancer screenings, writing several books on the subject as well.

• Avonne Connor, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, 2005, 2007, 2011

Connor is an assistant professor at John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the Department of Epidemiology/Cancer Epidemiology with a joint appointment in the School of Medicine. Her research interests are breast cancer, cancer survival, tumor phenotype, chronic inflammation, polymorphyisms/genetic variants, health disparities, ethnicity and race, obesity, Hispanic and African Americans and quality of life.

• Lottie Cook, Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work, 1985

Cook retired as superintendent of Evansville Psychiatric Children’s Center in December 2017. She also held several leadership positions with the National Association of Social Workers Indiana Chapter, including president of the board, and was instrumental in helping the University of Southern Indiana develop its Master of Social Work Program.

• Sundeep Dronawat, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, 1996, 2001

Dronawat is a serial entrepreneur and president of Payment Holdings and CEO and co-founder of POS on Cloud, as well as co-founder and partner in West Wind Power, a startup in green energy. He gives back to his community as an adjunct professor at UofL and works with leaders from the City of Louisville in the Leadership Louisville Program.

• Jonathan Helfat, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, 1971

Helfat is co-general counsel to the Commercial Finance Association and co-authors a column in The Secured Lender magazine relating to current legislative and judicial developments in asset-based lending. He and his wife, Robin, established the Helfat Endowment at the Brandeis School of Law.

• George Marriner Maull, School of Music, 1970, 1972

Maull is the founder and artistic director of the Discovery Orchestra and has conducted performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, as well as in England, Belgium, The Netherlands, Poland, Hungary and Romania. He received many accolades including the Bronze Telly Award, Cable Telly Awards, Emmy nominations, Somerset County New Jersey Excellence in Arts Award, and Conductor Laureate, New Jersey Youth Symphony.

• Michael Saag, School of Medicine, 1981

Saag serves on the International AIDS Society-USA Board of Directors, is president-elect of the HIV Medical Association, a member of the HHS Guidelines Panel on Antiretroviral Therapy, and on numerous state, local and national committees. He received the Myrtle Wreath Award from Hadassah and has been listed as one of the Best Doctors in America since 1994.

• Mark Schulte, School of Dentistry, 1977

Schulte began his dental career in South Louisville and helped start Smile Kentucky, an organization that secures dental care to underprivileged youth, providing over $1 million in free dental work for children in Kentucky over the last 10 years. He was recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists.

• Jeanine Triplett, Student Affairs Legacy Award, 1982, 1985

Triplett is the chief development officer of the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, having also served 33 years with the Delta Zeta – Beta Gamma chapter. She also has a long career working in Louisville at Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby Festival, University of Louisville/Alcohol & Drug Coalition, University of Louisville/Greek Housing Task Force and the Younger Woman’s Club of Louisville.

• Lowry Watkins Jr., College of Business, 1968

Watkins is a semi-retired real estate developer and a contributing author for the best-seller “Solicitor General Bullitt: The Life of William Marshall Bullitt.” He established the Lowry Watkins Jr. Endowed Chair in the College of Business and received the University of Louisville Dean’s Service Award and the Kentucky Country Day Exceptional Service Award.

• Eddie Whitehead, College of łÉČËÖ±˛Ą and Human Development, 1967

Whitehead is president and chief executive officer of KPST Channel 66 TV San Francisco, as well as president and chief executive officer of the Whitehead Media Group. In 1992, he received the Order of Merit award from the UofL Alumni Association.

• Richard “Dick” Wilson, University of Louisville Libraries, 1974

Wilson established the Robin Hood Project, Wilson Geriatric Fund, Wilson Piano Enrichment Fund, Preservation Fund for the Wilson Comic Books, Wilson Scholarship for JCTCS Transfers, Wilson Mentoring Endowment and the Wilson Music for Children Endowment. He received numerous awards for his community service in the state of Kentucky.

“This year’s alumni awardees are true examples of leadership and excellence both at UofL and in their respective fields,” said Josh Hawkins, assistant vice president of the Alumni Association. “We are overjoyed to celebrate Penny and our 13 alumni fellows because of their significant contributions to their communities, the university, and the world.”

The Alumna of the Year and the Alumni Fellows will be honored at an event Oct. 25, at the Henry Clay Building downtown. Attendees may register .

The awards recognize prominent graduates who have earned distinction in their careers and have been exemplary ambassadors for the university. The Alumni Association selects 13 Alumni Fellows representing UofL schools, colleges and units. New this year are awards honoring alumni from University Libraries and Student Affairs.

Bruce Henderson, co-owner, chairman and chief executive officer of Henderson Services, is the 2017 Alumnus of the Year. He graduated from UofL with both his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and his Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering in 1973. Henderson is a longtime supporter of UofL, serving on numerous boards and committees.

Winners of the awards are:

• Gary C. Ball, School of Dentistry, 1978

Ball runs Ball Dentistry in Indianapolis with his wife and children. He is passionate about community service, regularly providing free dental care at a homeless shelter in Indianapolis and participating in more than 20 volunteer missions in China, Romania, Nicaragua, Vietnam and the Philippines. Ball established the Ball Bequest for Birth Defects and the Gary and Allyson Ball Endowment at UofL.

• Louis and Louise Bornwasser, Student Affairs Legacy Award

Louis Bornwasser was an original founder of UofL’s famous Red Barn. Since then, he and his wife, Louise, have continued their dedication to UofL students as members of the Red Barn Alumni Association and by establishing the Louis W. and Louise Bornwasser Student Emergency Fund, which helps lessen the burden of unexpected financial emergencies for UofL students.

• Claudia A. Corcoran, College of łÉČËÖ±˛Ą and Human Development, 1979

As an educator who began her career in Jefferson County Public Schools, Corcoran combines her passion for education with care for others and strongly believes in the promotion of peace, health and education. Corcoran and her husband, Tom, established an endowment to help UofL students study counseling and mental health overseas as part of an immersive study abroad program.

• Kenneth Crawford, II, College of Arts and Sciences, 1987

The President of Kenneth Crawford Interiors in Hollywood, Florida, Crawford is a prominent interior designer who has worked with prestigious clients across the world, and had his work published in design magazines and featured on television.

• Natasha DeJarnett, School of Public Health & Information Sciences, 2009, 2013

DeJarnett is dedicated to making our nation healthier. Through her work with the American Public Health Association, DeJarnett has received several significant awards, including a fellowship to investigate cardiovascular risks of air pollution exposures. One of her professional goals is to help the country achieve health equity.

• Jennifer Doyle, School of Nursing, 1998

A Perinatal Outreach Educator, Doyle has committed her nursing career to caring for women’s health and pregnant women. Ohio Governor John Kasich appointed her to the Ohio Maternal-Newborn Advisory Council, and she has taken on leadership roles in several volunteer causes. Doyle’s work is recognized in multiple publications and evidence-based clinical research studies.

• John P. Gearhart, School of Medicine, 1975

As a practicing physician and a professor, Gearhart is a pioneer in helping children born with congenital birth defects and childhood urinary cancers. He is a leading expert in pediatric urology and reconstructive surgery. Gearhart has been a lecturer and visiting professor across the United States and in England, Germany, Greece and Argentina.

• Marshall L. Matz, School of Law, 1971

Matz has spent his life serving those in need. He currently is a principal attorney with Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Matz, where he specializes in food, nutrition and agriculture law. During his career, he has worked as counsel to Senate committees on Capitol Hill and served as Chairman of the Agriculture Committee of the Obama for America presidential campaign.

• Guy and Libbye Montgomery, UofL Libraries

The Montgomerys are staunch proponents of education who believe that libraries are where learning starts and continues to develop. The couple established the Elizabeth Kennedy Simon Conservation Fund, to conserve rare books in honor of Libbye’s late mother. They also have been instrumental in supporting UofL’s Archives and Special Collections Library.

• Rosalyn Taylor O’Neale, Kent School of Social Work, 1981

A Principal Consultant at Cook Ross, O’Neale has more than 30 years of experience leading learning-based interventions in more than 48 countries and six continents. She is an executive coach for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and educational institutions, and has been instrumental in increasing diversity efforts of companies including Campbell Soup Company and MTV Networks.

• Julio Racine, School of Music, 1975

Racine is highly-regarded as one of the best composers in Haiti. He has dedicated his life to enriching the culture and exposing the world to the unique voices of Haitian people, including through his establishment of the Sainte Trinite Music School in Port-Au-Prince. He also organizes youth music camps across the country.  

• William J. Ready, College of Business, 2001

Ready is the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at PayPal Holdings Inc. He is responsible for PayPal’s checkout experiences, Braintree, and Venmo. Prior to Paypal, Ready served as the Chief Financial Officer and President of iPay Technologies, and as a Management and Strategy Consultant of McKinsey & Company Inc.

• Timothy Reilly, School of Engineering, 1986

As founder and former president of Stonestreet One LLC, Reilly transformed an idea into a business with a global impact. Stonestreet One develops and licenses software for Bluetooth technology that is included in millions of devices produced by companies such as Microsoft, Nike, GoPro and Fitbit.

“The accomplishments of this year’s awardees exemplify the impact UofL graduates have locally, nationally, and globally,” said Josh Hawkins, Assistant Vice President of the Alumni Association. “We are excited to honor Bruce and our 13 alumni fellows because of their countless contributions to both the university and their respective communities.”

Henderson and the Alumni Fellows will be recognized at an event 6 p.m., Oct. 12, at the Louisville Marriott Downtown. Attendees may register .

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