Elon to honor seven alumni at Homecoming 2016

As part of its annual Homecoming celebration, Elon University will honor seven of its own at the Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony. The alumni will be honored on Friday, Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m. in the McBride Gathering Space in the Numen Lumen Pavilion. 

Since 1941, Elon has presented awards to honor its alumni who serve as active partners, advocates and investors. The Alumni Awards are the highest honors conferred by the Office of Alumni Engagement. 

This year’s winners are:

Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
John R. Hill ’76, chief executive officer of Pinnacle Advisory Group
This award is presented to an alumnus who has distinguished himself in a profession and in the community, and has brought honor to Elon. 

Distinguished Alumna of the Year
Kelli E. Palmer ’98, director of organizational environment, social and governance at the CFA Institute
This award is presented to an alumna who has distinguished herself in a profession and in the community, and brought honor to Elon. 

Young Alumnus of the Year
Geoffrey M. Lynn ’07, co-founder and chief executive officer of Avidea Technologies
This award is presented to an alumnus who has graduated within the past 10 years and has distinguished himself in his profession. 

Young Alumna of the Year
Samantha J. Gilman ’08 L’11, senior associate in the policy practice of Avalere Health
This award is presented to an alumna who has graduated within the past 10 years and has distinguished herself in her profession. 

Service to Church and Society Award
Samuel V. Barefoot ’79, senior vice president of Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina
This award is presented to an alumnus or alumna whose life demonstrates service to church and society. 

Distinguished Service to Elon Award
Howard F. Arner ’63 and Beverly Frye Arner ’66, retired
This award is presented to an organization, business, foundation or individual who has demonstrated outstanding service that promotes the advancement of Elon.