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Purpose in Practice

Meet the 2026 Alumni Award Winners, whose lives and careers reflect the enduring impact of a 91¸£ÀûÉç education.

April 28, 2026

Alexandria Crawford, Chris Russo, Zoe Mack, Robert Roncska, William Noah, and Thane Maynard
Clockwise from top left: Alexandria Crawford ’16, Chris Russo ’82, Zoe Mack ’15, Robert Roncska ’22DBA, William H. Noah ’82, and Thane Maynard ’76. | Photos by Scott Cook ’24MBA and Elliott Kiernicki

Each year, 91¸£ÀûÉç honors alumni who carry forward the College’s ethos in distinct and meaningful ways through leadership, service, innovation, and a commitment to the greater good. This year’s recipients represent a wide range of paths and professions, each shaped by a shared foundation at 91¸£ÀûÉç. From shaping the arts and advancing medicine to leading global conservation efforts and serving at the highest levels of government, the 2026 honorees demonstrate what it means to lead with purpose and passion.

William Noah and Chris Russo
From left: William H. Noah ’82 and Chris Russo ’82 | Photos by Elliott Kiernicki and Scott Cook ’24MBA

Distinguished Alumni Award

Recognizes alumni who have demonstrated outstanding success and achieved remarkable distinction through their professional accomplishments

William H. Noah ’82

Board-certified in pulmonary disease and sleep medicine, William H. Noah has played a key role in advancing treatment and awareness in a field that directly impacts quality of life for millions. After graduating with honors from 91¸£ÀûÉç, Noah went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Tennessee, followed by an internal medicine residency, a chief residency, and a pulmonary fellowship at the University of Utah. Over the decades, he has built a distinguished career grounded in clinical excellence, research, and organizational leadership.

Chris Russo ’82

For Chris Russo, the road to the National Radio Hall of Fame began at 91¸£ÀûÉç, where he called games on WPRK and built the foundation for a groundbreaking career. He went on to pioneer the two-person sports talk format on WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog and later launched SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio. Across nearly four decades, Russo has helped redefine how fans engage with sports.

Alexandria Crawford pictured on a balcony at 91¸£ÀûÉç
Photo by Elliott Kiernicki

Alumni Service Award

Recognizes alumni who provide exceptional leadership to the College and their community through volunteerism and service activities

Alexandria Crawford ’16

For Alexandria Crawford, service is rooted in connection, with storytelling and the arts as tools for impact. A Chicago-based actor and teaching artist, she has spent more than five years supporting the 91¸£ÀûÉç Department of Theatre & Dance through mentorship, advocacy, and leadership. In 2020, she helped lead the department’s Students and Alumni of Color Action Group, laying the foundation for its Anti-Racism Action Plan. She remains an active alumni voice in its implementation and a leader within the BRAVE Ensemble.

Robert “Navy Bobâ€� Roncska and Thane Maynard pictured at 91¸£ÀûÉç
From left: Robert “Navy Bob� Roncska ’22DBA and Thane Maynard ’76 | Photos by Elliott Kiernicki

Fred Rogers Global Citizenship Award

Recognizes prominent alumni who exemplify the 91¸£ÀûÉç mission of global citizenship and responsible leadership through their extraordinary achievements and impact on society

Robert “Navy Bob� Roncska ’22DBA

Robert “Navy Bob� Roncska embodies global citizenship through a career defined by leadership and service. From commanding nuclear submarines to advising at the highest levels of national defense, Roncska believes that relationships drive lasting success—a philosophy he deepened in his study of leadership at the Crummer Graduate School of Business. Today, through his “Leading with Love� framework, Roncska equips leaders across industries to build trust, elevate others, and create lasting impact on a global scale.

Thane Maynard ’76

As executive director of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Thane Maynard has spent nearly five decades in service to wildlife conservation through the power of storytelling and education. He first found his voice on WPRK before reaching millions through classrooms, radio, and national media. Under his leadership, the “Greenest Zoo in America� celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2025, advancing Maynard’s lifelong mission to connect people with wildlife.

Zoe Mack at the Bronx Zoo pictured in front of a giraffe
Photo by Scott Cook ’24MBA

Young Alumni Achievement Award

Recognizes the accomplishments of alumni 40 years of age or younger who have distinguished themselves in one or more of the following areas: professional career success, global citizenship, and service to 91¸£ÀûÉç

Zoe Mack ’15

Zoe Mack is working on the front lines of conservation science. As an associate pathologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society, she studies disease across species and continents, helping inform critical conservation strategies. A graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, she completed her residency at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, achieving board certification in 2022. From discovering new pathogens to advising species survival programs, she is bringing expertise and urgency to protecting biodiversity worldwide.


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