Alumni Achievement Awards
A long-standing university tradition, the Alumni Achievement Awards recognize the best in our alumni body. Throughout their careers, honorees have contributed significantly to their companies, communities and the university while upholding the highest standards and values.
2026 Alumni Achievement Awards
Friday, November 6, 2026
6-9 p.m.
Gateway Ballroom
801 N Texas Blvd
Denton, TX, 76201
Please register by October 16.
Announcing our 2026 Awardees
Distinguished Alumni Award
The most prestigious award given by the UNT Alumni Association, honoring alumni for professional achievement and significant contributions to society and the university.
Susan Gabbard (’70, ’94 M.A.)
Susan Gabbard's career in art education spans more than 45 years, providing extensive experience as a visual art educator and arts education leader. She received a B.A. in art education from UNT in 1970 and an M.A. in art education in 1994.
Gabbard taught art for 30 years in K-12 public and private schools in Texas and Oklahoma. In 2003, she left the classroom to serve as master teacher in residence at the University of Central Oklahoma.
In 2004, she became director of visual and performing arts for Oklahoma City Public Schools, overseeing dance, music, theater arts and visual art for the next 10 years. Gabbard also served as president of the Oklahoma Art Education Association. In 1996, she was recognized as the Outstanding Visual Art Teacher in the American Teacher Awards program sponsored by The Walt Disney Co. She received the Oklahoma Governor's Arts Award for Arts Education in 2000 and the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Teaching in 2003.
Gabbard served as Western Region vice president and later president of the National Art Education Association. She received the NAEA-Marion Quin Dix Award and the National Art Educator of the Year Award and was named a Distinguished Fellow in 2007.
She previously served on the visual arts writing team for the National Core Arts Standards. She led three delegations of art educators through the People-to-People Ambassador Programs to China, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. In 1995, she was a Fulbright Teacher Fund scholar to Japan for a three-week intensive study of the Japanese education system. She currently serves on the UNT College of Visual Arts and Design board of directors.
Dave Heacock (’88 M.B.A.)
Dave Heacock has more than 40 years of experience in semiconductor new product development and business management across several semiconductor companies. In 1990, he helped develop Benchmarq Microelectronics, a successful semiconductor startup focused on battery management. The company went public in 1995 and was later acquired by Texas Instruments through its 1999 acquisition of Unitrode Corp. Heacock subsequently held various senior leadership positions at Texas Instruments, retiring in 2017 as senior vice president of the Silicon Valley Analog Group.
Through his involvement with Band of Angels, a Palo Alto-based angel investor group, Heacock served as executive chairman of StreamMosaic, a successful artificial intelligence and machine-learning startup focused on improving semiconductor manufacturing processes. The company was acquired by PDF Solutions in 2019. He also served on the board of directors of The Detection Group, an IT startup focused on water leak detection in commercial real estate, until its acquisition by Watts Water Technologies in December 2020. He currently serves on the boards of two stealth-mode startups focused on power management.
In addition to consulting, Heacock serves as president of Urban Works Santa Cruz, a 501(c)(3) organization that uses art and recreation to help create a more enriched, diverse and unified community, especially for special-needs adults. He is active in his community, supporting the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos and various nonprofits, including the United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.
He earned an M.B.A. from the University of North Texas in 1988 and a B.S. in engineering and management from Clarkson University in 1983. He served on Clarkson University's board of trustees and as the institution's acting president from 2024 to 2025. He is a supporter of UNT's First in Business program, assisting first-generation college students in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business.
Troy Phillips (’69)
Troy Phillips graduated from the University of North Texas in 1969. After serving in the U.S. Army, he graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1973 and has since practiced law in Dallas. In 1991, he founded the Glast Phillips Murray Zopolsky law firm and since that time have been its managing partner. Today, the firm employs 65 lawyers.
A first-generation student, Phillips came from a very small town and my exposure to the world was extremely limited. Phillips says he was fortunate to have two professors take an early interest in him and instilled confidence that UNT was a place where he could succeed and be prepared for the future. Phillips served as the student body vice president during his junior year at UNT and was elected president for his senior year.
Phillips says his time at UNT prepared him for the world and his student experience is primarily attributable to the success he has found in his career. In 2025, Phillips was honored with the UNT Alumni Impact Award from the UNT College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
Throughout his legal career, Phillips has sought not only to serve his clients but also contribute to the growth and leadership of the business community. In addition to practicing law, Phillips pursued a number of entrepreneurial and corporate leadership opportunities, serving on the boards of directors at three different banks.
Outside of his career, Phillips is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys golfing and fishing. He is an active member of the Preston Trail Golf Club, where he also has the privilege of serving as president. These interests have provided Phillips with cherished lifelong friendships and opportunities for service and leadership beyond his profession.
Vikas Sinha (’23 Ph.D.)
Vikas Sinha, Ph.D., is a global technology executive, innovator, philanthropist and distinguished alumnus of the University of North Texas. From humble beginnings in India to leading global technology organizations in the United States, his journey exemplifies the transformative power of education, the opportunities offered by the American dream and the importance of giving back.
Sinha is vice president of worldwide engineering and architecture for Broadcom's Mainframe Software Division, leading global engineering and technology strategy for software powering mission-critical systems used by many of the world's largest financial institutions, governments, healthcare organizations, retailers and airlines. During a career spanning more than 30 years at Broadcom, CA Technologies, IBM and SPSS, he has advanced enterprise software, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, predictive analytics and digital transformation.
He earned a Ph.D. in information science in 2023 and a Graduate Academic Certificate in Data Analytics in 2021 from the University of North Texas. He previously earned an M.S. in predictive analytics, an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Advanced Data Sciences and completed the Kellogg Management Institute General Management Program at Northwestern University. Additionally, he has an M.S. in ocean/structural engineering from Florida Atlantic University and a B.Tech. in civil engineering from G. Pulla Reddy Engineering College under Sri Venkateswara University.
Sinha serves on the UNT College of Information Leadership Board and, with his wife, Anuradha, established the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha Department of Data Science — the first named department in the college's history — and the Sinha Innovation Lab for Data Science, advancing research, innovation and student success. He believes success is measured by the opportunities we create for future generations.
Outstanding Alumni Service Award
Presented to individuals who have provided exceptional service to UNT or the community.
Erin Hogue (’99)
After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from the University of North Texas in 1999, Erin Hogue launched a career marked by innovation and leadership while maintaining a lifelong commitment to serving UNT, its students and the broader community. Over the past 25 years, she has led merchandising and business transformation initiatives for nationally recognized retailers, including The Container Store and Buff City Soap, and founded See Forever Consulting, where she advises retailers on strategy and organizational transformation.
Erin has dedicated her volunteer service to investing in future leaders through mentorship, education and leadership development. She currently serves on the UNT School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management Advancement Board, partnering with school leadership to support student success, strengthen alumni engagement and advance strategic initiatives.
Her service has also included university-wide initiatives supporting student leadership and fraternity and sorority alumni engagement. Together, Erin and her husband, Kyle Hogue ('96, '02 M.P.A.), established an endowed scholarship at UNT for students involved in fraternities and sororities who are pursuing business degrees — creating opportunities for future business leaders at UNT. In recognition of her dedication and service, Erin received the 2024 Distinguished Service Award from UNT's School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management.
Beyond UNT, Erin has devoted more than 20 years to volunteer leadership through Kappa Kappa Gamma, serving in roles from the chapter level to the international level. Her leadership positions have included president of the UNT House Board, province director of chapters and elected treasurer of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity's International Council. She has also served on the board of directors of Elfa International, the scholarship committee for the Salesmanship Club of Dallas and as a mentor through the Momentous Institute.
Ulys Knight Spirit Award
Given to an individual or group that has made noteworthy efforts to show exceptional UNT spirit.
Troy Wolf (’86, ’93 M.S.)
Troy Wolf is a technical lead senior specialist with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas, in the Integrated Fighter Group's F-16 program. A two-time UNT alumnus, he earned a Bachelor of Science in industrial technology in 1986 and a Master of Science in engineering technology in 1993.
Wolf has built an accomplished engineering career while remaining deeply committed to the university through leadership, philanthropy and enthusiastic engagement. A familiar presence at football and men's basketball games as a longtime season ticket holder, he proudly champions UNT year-round.
His impact extends far beyond the sidelines through his extraordinary support of student success, including the establishment of multiple scholarships in the UNT College of Engineering honoring his late friend and fellow alumnus Gene H. Fuhrman (’86), as well as scholarships in his own name. In addition, he contributed to the construction of the Joe Greene statue and Unity Plaza for UNT Athletics, supported the Green Lights Fund and helped fund a tutoring room in the academic support center included in Phase 2 of the UNT Athletic Center expansion.
He is a member of the UNT Chilton Society, the Diamond Eagles Society and UNT Athletics' Talon Society, as well as a historic lifetime member of the UNT Alumni Association and a member of the external advisory board for the mechanical engineering department and engineering technology program. His previous recognitions from the university include the College of Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2024 and Alumni Appreciation Day recognition in 1998.
An active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denton, Wolf supports the Catholic Charities Education Navigation program at UNT for first-generation students. He has also established endowed scholarships at Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Muenster, Texas, and North Central Texas College in Gainesville, Texas.
Rising Star Award
This award recognizes recent graduates for distinguished achievement that has merited the honor and praise of peers and colleagues.
Phil Samson ('22 M.F.A.)
Phil Samson is an interdisciplinary artist based in North Texas whose work bridges analytical and creative thinking to spark innovation. After retiring from a professional services firm where he advised global clients, Samson began his formal artistic journey at the University of North Texas. He earned a Master of Fine Arts from the UNT College of Visual Arts and Design in 2022. He previously earned a B.B.A. in business analysis and research from Texas A&M University in the early 1980s. During his graduate studies, he received the International Sculpture Center's 2022 Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award.
Samson serves as co-chair of the CVAD Ambassadors Council and collaborates with the UNT BioDiscovery Institute, where he engages with researchers exploring the frontiers of biological science. His current artistic practice is deeply influenced by those interactions, translating scientific inquiry, research processes and discoveries into visual experiences.
At the BioDiscovery Institute, Samson has helped develop and lead creative exercises that encourage researchers to connect analytical and creative approaches to problem-solving. In 2026, he and a collaborator completed the fabrication and installation of a large-scale wall sculpture for the UNT Science Research Building lobby and main conference room, incorporating elements inspired by the institute and its research environment.
Samson and his spouse, Monica, raised three children, all of whom graduated from UNT. They continue to support the university through CVAD scholarships and contributions to the UNT Texas Fashion Collection.
His artwork reflects a belief that creativity is a powerful catalyst for discovery and innovation across disciplines. Samson remains committed to expanding creative collaborations within UNT's STEM-related colleges, fostering connections between artists and researchers that encourage new ways of thinking.