Alumni Awards
A long-standing university tradition, the Alumni 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.
Nominate a Deserving Alumnus/a
Nominations for Alumni Awards are open and are accepted on a rolling basis.
Purchase Alumni Awards Tickets
October 16, 2025
UNT Gateway Ballroom
Tables and single tickets are available.
2025 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.
UNT System Regent Cathy Bryce (’91 Ed.D.)
Cathy Bryce is a trailblazing educational leader currently serving on the UNT System Board of Regents. Her career in education began in 1975 as a choir director and English teacher in Arapaho, Oklahoma. After earning a Master of Education degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1977, Bryce moved to Texas and served as choir director at Haltom Junior High School for nine years. Upon completing a mid-management certification from UNT in 1985, Bryce moved into management and curriculum development, serving in multiple vice principal and principal roles for Lewisville I.S.D.
Bryce completed her doctorate from the UNT College of Education in 1991 and made an unprecedented rise in North Texas education, serving as assistant and then deputy superintendent for Duncanville I.S.D., superintendent of Weatherford I.S.D. from 1997 to 2001, and finally as superintendent of Highland Park I.S.D. from 2001 to 2009. She has since served as adjunct professor at UNT, an investment banker for Bank of Texas as well as providing services through Cathy Bryce Consulting LLC.
Bryce’s professional service and community involvement are unparalleled. She has served on dozens of boards of directors, mentorship committees, advisory boards and task forces. She served on the UNT Alumni Association and UNT Foundation Boards of Directors in multiple capacities, including chair of each, and is a founding member and past co-chair of the Diamond Eagles Society — supporting founder Debbie Smatresk’s vision for a giving society that emboldens UNT supporters to fund transformative campus projects. To date, seven projects have been funded to help shape the UNT experience for generations to come.
Additionally, Bryce and her husband, Jack Atkins, have endowed two scholarships for students majoring in teacher education in the UNT College of Education.
Bryce’s accolades include an Outstanding Dissertation Award from UNT, Educator of the Year from Phi Delta Kappa, Distinguished Alumni Award from her undergraduate alma mater, Midwestern State University Outstanding Alumni Service Award from UNT and was the Texas nominee for National Superintendent of the Year in 2000.
Ben (’02) and Angie (’03, ’05 M.Ed.) Klutts
Ben and Angie Klutts first met during their time as students at UNT and have been active and passionate alumni ever since. Leaders in their community, Angie and Ben founded Behavioral Transformations in 2015 to provide comprehensive services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Together, they operate eight clinics in east DFW and have made an incredible impact on the lives of hundreds of children and their families.
Angie graduated from UNT with a B.A. in sociology and a Master of Education in special education, also earning her Board-Certified Behavioral Analyst certification from the university. Ben graduated with a B.S. in criminal justice.
As a first-generation college student, Angie’s path to higher education was not an easy one. She worked tirelessly to put herself through school, balancing jobs on campus and elsewhere. Beyond being an alumna of the College of Health and Public Service, Angie worked for the college’s advising office, helping students navigate their own paths to graduation. It was during her time as an advisor that Angie decided to pursue a master’s degree in special education. After completing her master’s, she moved into the North Texas public school system, supporting students with special needs and their families for over 10 years.
Ben and Angie exhibit their love for UNT in many ways — from proudly displaying an alumni license plate holder, being football season pass holders who attend every game they can, to applying their expertise in their field as co-vice chairs of the College of Health and Public Services Advancement Board for the past four years. Additionally, Ben serves on the advisory board for the UNT Department of Criminal Justice.
In 2022, Ben and Angie’s commitment to UNT and the broader community culminated in the creation of the Klutts Family Scholarship, which supports students in the College of Health and Public Service, with preference to first-generation students. Together, they are dedicated to helping develop leaders to advance a healthy, equitable and just society through excellence in research, education and service.
John (’72) and UNT System Regent Lindy (’72) Rydman
John and Lindy Rydman were both music majors when they met at the University of North Texas — John as a saxophonist and conductor, and Lindy as a vocalist. Upon their graduations in 1972, the couple opted not to pursue careers in music and instead work for Lindy’s family business: Spec’s Wines, Spirits and Finer Foods. Today, John and Lindy, along with their daughter, Lisa, oversee the Houston-based superstore chain, which has locations scattered widely across Texas and is one of the largest liquor, wine and beer chains in the country.
Inspired by their shared passion for music and as a tribute to Lindy’s parents — Spec’s founders Carroll “Spec” and Carolynn Jackson — the Rydmans created the Spec’s Charitable Foundation with the purpose of supporting educational programs. Through Spec’s Charitable Foundation, John and Lindy established an endowed fund at UNT for the One O'Clock Lab Band which has provided scholarship support as well as recording and travel opportunities for the Grammy-nominated ensemble. In 2019, a donation from Spec's Charitable Foundation funded the Spec’s Charitable Foundation Courtyard, an outdoor social & performance space, central to the entrance of UNT College of Music.
Lindy was appointed to the UNT System Board of Regents in 2022 and will continue to serve until 2027. John currently serves on the advancement board at the UNT College of Music and is past board chair and president of the Houston Symphony Society. One of John’s greatest honors was the opportunity to conduct the Houston Symphony for an Independence Day patriotic concert. Lindy and John have both received multiple awards for Outstanding Support of the Arts from the Texas Association of Symphony Orchestra, North Texas Business Council for the Arts and the National Business Council for the Arts.
Outstanding Alumni Service Award
Presented to individuals who have provided exceptional service to UNT or the community.
Kelleyton J. Wilson, Sr. (’01)
Kelleyton J. Wilson, Sr. has built a career defined by leadership, entrepreneurship and service. A proud graduate of the University of North Texas, Wilson recently retired from Microsoft, where he served as a senior client executive in capital markets. Known as a collaborative leader, he worked across divisions including strategy, risk, advisory and private equity.
Beyond the corporate world, Wilson has thrived as a business owner and developer. He is co-owner of multiple UPS Store franchises across North Texas, with each location recognized as a community hub for small business owners and local residents. His entrepreneurial drive also extends into real estate, where he is a partner of Gateway Park, a $120 million development in Sunnyvale, Texas, as well as co-owner of Assembly House Restaurant and Assembly House Wine Co.
Service has been a constant theme throughout his life. Wilson made history as the first African American elected to the Sunnyvale I.S.D. Board of Trustees and serves on local nonprofit boards, including Attack Life Sloan, which supports veterans battling ALS. He also mentors at-risk youth and continues to inspire audiences as a keynote speaker, drawing on experiences in business, leadership and faith. This fall, he is launching a speaking tour where he’ll share insights on entrepreneurship, resilience, financial literacy, life after sports and faith-based leadership — connecting with audiences ranging from executives and entrepreneurs to students and athletes.
Wilson maintains close ties to UNT as a Lifetime Alumni Association member, board member, two-time scholarship endower and past leader in programs such as Leadershape, NT for All and the Emerald Eagle Honors. He often credits his grandfather, Perry Wilson, for instilling the values of resilience and hard work that guide his leadership today.
A man of faith, family and community, Wilson holds a Master of Theological Studies from Liberty University. He is also a licensed minister, musician and avid outdoorsman. He and his family reside in Sunnyvale, Texas, where he continues to lead with purpose and passion. Wilson’s mantra is to plant trees, knowing he will never live long enough to enjoy the shade. His objective is to intentionally lead with love at each and every encounter.
Ulys Knight Spirit Award
Given to an individual or group that has made noteworthy efforts to show exceptional UNT spirit.
Ken Bahnsen (’53, ’53 M.S.)
Ken Bahnsen’s extensive legacy at UNT spans more than 75 years. Growing up in small-town Louisiana, Ken was raised on a dairy farm. After graduating high school in 1947, Ken hitchhiked to Tyler Junior College with the ambition of walking on the school’s football team. After a successful junior college career, Ken transferred to then-North Texas State College.
Bahnsen was a standout running back for UNT from 1950 to 1952, Bahnsen set new career rushing and scoring records that still stand as a testament to his athleticism and leadership. His impact on the football program extended beyond his playing years, as he went on to play professionally for the San Francisco 49ers in 1953.
Bahnsen’s career at UNT was not confined to his playing days. He became a beloved assistant football coach, and in the 1960s, he also led the UNT men’s tennis team to consecutive Missouri Valley Conference championships in 1966 and 1967.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, Bahnsen was inducted into the UNT Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991. In 2005, the UNT Men’s Gym was renamed the Ken Bahnsen Gym in his honor. He has had a lasting impact on the university's athletic and academic communities through his commitment to student-athletes, as evidenced by the creation of The Ken Bahnsen Scholarship Endowment, which provides vital support for students pursuing degrees in kinesiology, health promotion or recreation.
Bahnsen retired in 1975 as faculty emeritus in education, and from 1975 until 2003, he led the UNT Driver’s Education Program, instilling life skills in generations of students.
His dedication to UNT continued as he served as a member of the President's Council and was a founding member of the Diamond Eagles Society. Ken is also a proud member of the Mean Green Club Golden Eagle, showing his ongoing commitment to the university and its mission. His dedication, love and service to UNT have left a lasting mark on the university and its students.
Rising Star Award
This award recognizes recent graduates for distinguished achievement that has merited the honor and praise of peers and colleagues.
Asiah Claiborne (’17)
Asiah Claiborne is a transformational higher education leader driven by a passion for belonging, community and growth. She currently serves as director of student transition programs at the University of Texas at Dallas, where she leads freshman and transfer orientation, commuter initiatives, family programming, digital engagement and retention strategies that support thousands of students and families each year. A proud first-generation scholar, Claiborne leads with gratitude, connection and a mission to empower others.
Claiborne earned her B.A. in integrative studies from the University of North Texas in 2017, concentrating in behavior analysis, counseling and psychology, with a minor in Spanish and a certificate in leadership studies. An accomplished student leader, she served as president of Talons, internal relations chair for NT40 and worked with TRIO Upward Bound Math & Science and the office of the vice president for student affairs. Her contributions and impact were recognized with the Golden Eagle Award, the university’s highest honor for a student leader.
Motivated by her experiences, she went on to complete her M.S. in college student personnel administration at Illinois State University in 2019. That same year, Claiborne returned to UNT as coordinator of student organizations and became a Lifetime Alumni Association Member, furthering her commitment to the Mean Green community. In this role and beyond, she has mentored students, held leadership positions with the UNT Black Alumni Network and Denton County Alumni Network, developed resources to strengthen alumni engagement, hosted multiple Dinner with a Dozen tables and played a pivotal role in launching the UNT GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Network.
Claiborne hopes to continue building intentional spaces where UNT alumni feel they belong and see themselves reflected. Through the GOLD Network, she envisions a dedicated launching pad for recent graduates, meeting a need by creating opportunities to connect, grow professionally and re-engage with UNT in ways that inspire them to one day give back their time, skills and leadership.
Her leadership and impact have been recognized at institutional and national levels. Claiborne is a recipient of the NASPA New Professional and Graduate Student NOW Award for Impact, the UT Dallas Staff Council and Office of the President CARE Award and the UT Dallas Student Affairs STAR Award for Advising and Supporting Students. These honors reflect her enduring influence on students, colleagues and communities, affirming her as a rising leader whose impact will continue to inspire.