Winter 2012 - Austin College Magazine

’Roo Notes
Austin College Alumni Shine
Each year, members of the Alumni Board with the task of selecting the College’s Distinguished
Alumni have a difficult undertaking, not for lack of nominees, but in deciding among many
deserving candidates. Austin College alumni are celebrated for accomplishment in their careers
and their communities, their spirit of service, and the broadened perspectives fostered by their
common educational experience. They are leaders who exemplify ethical standards and integrity,
men and women concerned with creating a better way of life in their workplaces, their
communities, and throughout the global neighborhood.
2011 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
DANIEL BREAZEALE
After graduating from Austin College in 1966, Daniel Breazeale earned a
Ph.D. in philosophy at Yale University. In 1971, he joined the philosophy
faculty at the University of Kentucky, where his 40-year career continues
today.
During the intervening years, Daniel has received numerous teaching
and research honors, including six individual research fellowships from
the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 2005, he was designated
Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences. He has written and lectured
extensively and is an active participant in many international scholarly
societies.
Daniel and his wife, Vivianne (Chabas) ’66, live in Lexington,
Kentucky.
JEFFREY NORTHRIDGE PHILLIPS
Involved in the Austin College community throughout his life as the son
of Professor Ed Phillips, Jeffrey Phillips ’80 completed the College’s 3-2
engineering program with Washington University–St. Louis to earn an
engineering degree and an Austin College degree. He also earned a
master’s degree and doctoral degree, both in mechanical engineering, at
Stanford University.
Jeff now works as a senior program manager at the Electric Power
Research Institute (EPRI), responsible for research toward developing
advanced coal-based power plants. In 2005, he received the firm’s
Chauncey Starr award for exemplary research.
Jeff and his wife, Mary Lynn, live in Huntersville, North Carolina.
LARRY SYKES
Larry Sykes ’66 spent 32 years in the commercial real estate business in
Dallas, and then found his true calling—working with homeless
individuals through the Stewpot, a ministry of First Presbyterian Church
of Dallas, and The Bridge.
He also brought Community Voice Mail (CVM) to Dallas, providing a
phone number and voice messaging system for more than 6,000 homeless
and at-risk individuals. He now serves as president of the national CVM
board, which oversees service to more than 50,000 people in 400
communities.
Larry and his wife, Rebecca (Russell) ’67, live in Dallas, Texas.
Distinguished Alumni honorees for 2011 are, left to right, Larry Sykes, Dan Breazeale, Jeffrey Phllipps, and
First Decade honoree Vanessa Brown. At the right are Clemons awardees Paul Bean and Stephanie McDonald.
34 | Austin College Magazine Winter 2012