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 ����ֱ�� & 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

Trager received his juris doctorate from UofL in 1985. As a student, he was active in Delta Theta Phi and the University of Louisville Brandeis Law Journal.

He has had a long career with Republic Bank, joining as vice president and general counsel in 1989 and being promoted to his most recent positions as chairman and CEO in 2012. Trager is a member of the UofL President’s Council and President of the Trager Family Foundation.

“We are excited and proud to announce Steve Trager as our 2023 Alumnus of the Year. Steve is profoundly committed to the university and the overall community. His work to improve Louisville is an inspiration to us all. We look forward to celebrating his accomplishments at this year’s Alumni Awards,” said Josh Hawkins, assistant vice president for alumni relations and annual giving.

Trager is the son of UofL adopted alumni Jean Trager and the late Bernard Trager. Through the generosity of the Trager Family and the Trager Family Foundation, the university is home to the Trager Field Hockey Stadium; the 90,000-square-foot Trager Center; Trager Plaza, located between the Miller Information Technology Center and Lutz Hall; and the Trager Institute and Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic.

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.

Trager leads an exceptional group of 20 Alumni Awards honorees who represent each of UofL’s colleges, schools, libraries 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.

New to the program this year is the first-ever Military Alumni Award, an honor that allows the university to celebrate its commitment, support and appreciation of UofL’s many military-connected alumni.

The 2023 Alumni Fellows are:

• Steve Trager ’85 – 2023 Alumnus of the Year
• Hank Conn ’64, ’69, ’72 – 2023 Alumni Ambassador (Awarded posthumously)
• Karina Barillas ’96, ’02 – 2023 Diversity Leadership Award
• Alex Frommeyer ’10, ’11 – 2023 Emerging Leader Award
• Michael L. Kaelin – 2023 Military Alumni Award
• Angela McCormick Bisig ’87,’90 – Brandeis School of Law
• Marianne Butler ’89,’93 – College of Arts and Sciences
• Camilla Abel Schroeder ’90 – College of Business
• Wade Houston ’66, ’73 – College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development
• Cedric Francois ’04 – Graduate School
• Leo B. Jenkins, Jr. ’52, ’58, ’72 – J.B. Speed School of Engineering
• Tomarra Adams ’96, ’97, ’04 – Kent School of Social Work and Family Science
• James Strull ’62, ’65 – School of Dentistry
• Thomas Whitley Uhde ’75 – School of Medicine
• Zhiyi Wang ’06 – School of Music
• Dedra Hayden ’97, ’09, ’19 and William “Bill” Hayden II ’90, ’97 – School of Nursing
• Kimberly Hockman Mascaro ’13 – School of Public Health and Information Sciences
• Oscar Ronaldo Leon Oliva ’88, ’89 – Student Affairs Legacy Award
• Michael A. Kelly ’70 – University Libraries

The Alumni Awards are the highest honors bestowed by Louisville Alumni. The 2023 Alumni Awards will be held Thursday, Oct. 26. Read winner bios, get ceremony details and connect with UofL alumni at www.uoflalumni.org/awards.

The University of Louisville is now accepting nominations for its 2023 Alumni Awards, the highest honor bestowed by Louisville Alumni. For more than 30 years, the Alumni Awards have honored and celebrated the historic achievements of UofL graduates.

The UofL community and public are encouraged to nominate Louisville graduates who deserve to be recognized for their career accomplishments, philanthropic endeavors and contributions to the community. Honorees will be recognized during the 2023 Alumni Awards ceremony this fall during Homecoming week on UofL’s Belknap Campus.

“Louisville Alumni is grateful for the strong culture of alumni innovators, educators and collaborators who share the common bond of being UofL graduates,” said Josh Hawkins, assistant vice president for Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. “These awards recognize distinguished graduates who are exemplary ambassadors for the university and reflect the high standing and character of their alma mater.”

In addition to Alumni Fellow awards designated for each school and college, Louisville Alumni also will present awards for Emerging Leader, Diversity Leadership, Alumni Ambassador and the Wilson Wyatt Alumnus(a) of the Year. 

New to the program this year is the first-ever Military Alumni Award, an honor that allows UofL to celebrate its commitment, support and appreciation of UofL’s many military-connected alumni.

The Wilson Wyatt Alumnus(a) of the Year award personifies the qualities, mission and values of the university. The 2022 Alumna of the Year was awarded to Lucy Lee Helm ’79, ’82 who, as chief partner officer, guided Starbucks through multiple human resources and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Students, graduates and friends of the university can submit online nominations to the Office of Alumni Relations until Friday, Feb. 17^.

Criteria for each award, as well as nomination forms, are available online at . Listings of previous Alumni Awards honorees also can be found on the website. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 502-852-6186 or visit .

Gen. Joseph M. Martin will be honored by his alma mater in a livestreamed broadcast of the UofL Alumni Awards on Oct. 21 during Homecoming Week.

“I am thrilled to welcome Gen. Martin back home to UofL so we can present this deserved honor to him,” said UofL President Neeli Bendapudi. “He exemplifies all that we stand for as Cardinals, particularly living a life focused on the highest standards of leadership in achieving a noble purpose.”

Martin earned his Master of ����ֱ�� in Occupational Training and Development degree from the University of Louisville in 1997. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1986 and was commissioned as an armor officer. He also is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.

As the 37th Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army, he is the second-highest ranking officer in the Army, and one of only 16 four-star generals currently serving in the Army. Throughout his distinguished 35-year career, Martin has commanded soldiers at every level, including the Army’s Operational Test Command, the National Training Center, and the famed First Infantry Division.

Martin has deployed numerous times including during Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve, where he commanded the Combined Joint Force Land Component Command. His most recent assignment was director of the Army Staff.

Martin’s staff assignments have included observer/controller at Fort Irwin, California, and instructor/writer and aide to the commanding general at the U.S. Armor Center at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He also served as a battalion operations officer, aide to the III Corps commanding general and brigade operations officer at Fort Hood, Texas. Additionally, Martin served as the armor branch chief and chief of the Maneuver, Fires and Effects Division at the United States Army Human Resources Command in Alexandria, Virginia. He also served as the initiatives group director for the commander, U.S. Forces Iraq and U.S. Joint Forces Command.

Martin’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device; the “V” device signifies heroism or valor in combat. He also earned the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

Martin and his wife have been married for 33 years and have two children.

Twenty other distinguished alumni have already been named and will also be honored at the UofL Alumni Awards, including winners of the new Alumni Ambassador Award, Diversity Leadership Award, Emerging Leadership Award. More information about those honorees is available online here.

UofL’s Alumni Awards are sponsored by Commonwealth Credit Union and Buff City Soap. For information about all events planned for UofL’s Homecoming Week 2021, visit the

Now, “at long last,” , the 85-year-old painter has his work on display in a New York City gallery. His partnership with Pace Gallery marks the first time his work has been represented by a gallery in New York, perhaps surprising considering he is regarded as one of the most important and inventive colorists from the last 30 years.

Much of Gilliam’s career has been spent in Washington, DC. In 1972, he became the first black artist to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale. In 2012, Gilliam signed a deal with Los Angeles-based art dealer David Kordansky, which brought in large-scale auction deals for the painter. His “forth” painting, for example, sold for $1.16 million at Sotheby’s London last year.

Why did it take so long for Gilliam’s work to be showcased in one of the world’s most important cities for artists? Arne Glimcher, founder of Pace Gallery, told the New York Times that Gilliam steered his career clear of “what we know is the art market.”

“He’s had many, many opportunities,” Glimcher said in the article. “He didn’t want it and I think, I hope, it was that he was waiting for the right moment to show his work in broader venues.”

Glimcher added that the Pace Gallery partnership should provide Gilliam with more exposure at an international level.

Just because Gilliam’s work is making its New York City gallery debut, however, doesn’t mean it hasn’t earned widespread admiration. In fact, Gilliam has created dozens of public art pieces, some of which can be found in Detroit, New York, Atlanta, San Francisco and Boston. His work is in the permanent collections of 56 museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the Whitney Museum of American Art, the National Gallery of Art, the National Museum of American Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Corcoran Gallery, the Hirshhorn Museum and Louisville’s own Speed Art Museum.

After receiving his master’s from UofL in the early 60s, Gilliam moved on to teach at a number of universities, including the Maryland Institute of Art and Carnegie Mellon University. He retired from teaching in 1989 and began operating a studio in a historic district in Washington, D.C.

Gilliam’s star began ascending in the late 1960s with his own unique approach to “painting as object” so that color is structured by the form of the canvas itself. The sculptural effects he achieved with this technique gave him national repute, and his work has found audiences worldwide.

Gilliam’s professional honors include honorary doctorates from eight universities, the Kentucky Governor’s Award in the Arts, several National Endowment for the Arts grants, the Longview Foundation Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Art Institute of Chicago’s Norman W. Harris Prize, and an Artist’s Fellowship from the Washington Gallery of Modern Art. In 2006, he was named the . Gilliam was inducted in the College of Arts & Sciences Hall of Honor in 2007.