FAMU NAA Honors 22 Distinguished Alumni at Tampa National Convention

Florida A&M University National Alumni Association honored 22 Distinguished Alumni at its 17th annual convention in Tampa on June 1.

The Distinguished Alumni  honorees represent success in business, education, healthcare, public service and community service. They also are commended for their self-less contributions to the University,  the alumni community and students.

The honorees include: Elaine Armster, Dr. Leonard M. Badger, Gerald Brown, Bettye Jean Muse Bryant, Stanley Campbell, retired Lt. Col. Terry G. Coney,  Dr. Torin P. Goodrum, Mildred Graham, Patrick S. Gray, Dolph Howard III, Jana L. Johnson-Davis, William L. McCray, Willie A. Miller, II, Gwen W. Myers, Dr. Petteway-Tyler, Pierre E. Rutledge, Rashan Ali Smith, James “Zip” Summers, Madetric “Naye” Wood, Herbert Lee Woodard, Betty Jean Twiggs Woodard, and Keenan K. Wooten.

 

Elaine Armster  is chief sustainability officer/managing partner for   Linkscape360, LLC and a member of the FAMU Foundation Board of  Directors.

Dr. Leonard M. Badger is a dentist based in Orlando, known for his expertise in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. With more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Badger has built a reputation for providing exceptional patient care and cutting-edge dental solutions. He graduated from Meharry Medical College, School of Dentistry where he was recognized for his clinical excellence and research contributions.

Gerald Brown is a healthcare informatics analyst for Providence Health Systems, based in Torrance, California. He is a two-time graduate of the School of Business and Industry, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982 and a Master of Business Administration in 1985.

Bettye Jean Muse Bryant taught mathematics in the Brevard County Public Schools for 32 years and served five years as an adjunct professor at Brevard Community College in Cocoa. She was instrumental in assisting students to successfully master their required courses in mathematics.

Stanley Campbell,  a Democratic candidate  for Florida U.S. Senate seat, runs a global healthcare technology company aimed at  preventing Medicare fraud. He and his wife, Cheryl Campbell, assistant secretary ofAdministrationfor the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, are the parents of three adult sons.

Terry G. Coney retired from the U.S. Air Force as lieutenant colonel after more than 20 years of service. Later, he worked in the financial services industry. He was also the city circulation manager for the Durham Herald-Sun Newspaper and operated a travel agency. Coney serves as president of the Lakeland NAACP Chapter.

Torin P. Goodrum, who earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from FAMU in 2012, is a Publix Pharmacy manager. He is active in the Broward County Chapter of the FAMU NAA and a member of the inaugural 40 Under 40 fall Class of  2023.

 

Mildred Graham is the executive director of Community Relations and the longest serving staff member of the re-established FAMU College of Law. She has partnered with dozens of organizations to host programs at the College that benefit the legal, education and greater communities.

Patrick S. Gray is the newly elected president of the FAMU NAA Greater Orlando Chapter.  For 22 years, he has operated his State Farm Insurance agency in Ocoee.

Dolph Howard III is a Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran from Haines City, Florida. He has enjoyed a 30-year career in financial service industry.

Jana L. Johnson-Davis is an activist-educator. During the homecoming game in 2018, Jana and her husband, Attorney Mawuli M. Davis, presented a “big check” in the amount of $26,295, which was raised with the help of family and friends, to celebrate the end of Jana’s radiation treatments for breast cancer.

William L. McCray is a retired FAMU administrator and a 2001 FAMU Sports Hall of Fame inductee for his prowess as a swimmer.

Willie A. Miller II has a long career in county and state government. The West Palm Beach native is the senior administrative assistant to Palm Beach Commissioner Mack Bernard.

Gwen W. Myers has served as a Hillsborough County Commissioner since 2020.

Dr. Anita Petteway-Tyler is a board-certified internal medicine specialist. Her passion for education and mentorship is evident in her roles as a preceptor and volunteer clinical professor at the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. A tireless advocate for diversity and health equity, she serves as the principal investigator for Biscayne Clinical Research, actively promoting the participation of people of color in clinical trials.

Pierre E. Rutledge is chair of the Miami-Dade County Black Affairs Advisory Board and an employee with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Rashan Ali Smith has established herself as a  multimedia personality within the sports and entertainment industries. An Atlanta native, Smith has worked on local radio in her hometown, as a sports anchor for HLN and CNN; she has also been a sideline reporter for CBS Sports Network, host of Under Armour Highlights of the Week on the NFHS Network and co-host of Falcons Rise Up Weekly on the CW. She is currently the host of “The Cool Soror Podcast.”

James “Zip” Summers is a championship winning college basketball and track coach, and athletic director. He is also a member of the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame and Paul Quinn College’s Warren Morgan Hall of Fame.

Madetric “Naye” Wood is a nurse, community activist and owner of Geriatric Solutions, after recognizing the need for a healthcare practice that employs healthcare professionals who are sensitive to the healthcare needs of adults and the aging population. Geriatric Solutions is the first Black female owned Nurse Practitioner Practice in the Lakewood Park Community in Fort Pierce.

Herbert Lee Woodard is a retired Polk County educator who has played a key role in recruiting local students to attend FAMU.

Betty Jean Twiggs Woodard, wife of Herbert Woodard, spent 39 years of employment in Polk County Public Schools. She worked as a school administrator, guidance counselor, elementary, middle, and high school teacher.

Keenan K. Wooten is a lifelong champion of student success and higher education. He is employed at Lee Magnet Middle School in Manatee County,  where he is a student support specialist and athletic director.