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. Upon completing a mid-management certification from UNT in 1985, Bryce served 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, retiring as superintendent of Highland Park I.S.D. in 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. Additionally, Bryce and her husband, Jack Atkins, have endowed two scholarships for students majoring in teacher education in the UNT College of Education.
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.
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. 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. 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 liquor, wine and beer chain — one of the largest in the country.
Inspired by their shared passion for music, education and as a tribute to Lindy’s parents, the Rydmans created the Spec’s Charitable Foundation to support educational programs. Through Spec’s Charitable Foundation, they 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. In 2019, their donation funded the Spec’s Charitable Foundation Courtyard, an outdoor social and performance space at the entrance of the UNT College of Music.
The couple remains active in the future of the university. Lindy was appointed to the UNT System Board of Regents in 2022 and 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.
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.
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.
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.
A man of faith, family and community, Wilson holds a Master of Theological Studies from Liberty University. He is also a licensed minister, musician, avid outdoorsman and proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He and his family reside in Sunnyvale, Texas, where he continues to lead with purpose and passion.
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, Bahnsen was raised on a dairy farm. After a successful junior college career, Ken transferred to then-North Texas State College.
Bahnsen was a standout running back for UNT, setting new career rushing and scoring records that still stand as a testament to his athleticism and leadership. Bahnsen’s career at UNT goes beyond his playing days, as he later became a beloved assistant football coach. He also led the 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 with the creation of The Ken Bahnsen Scholarship Endowment.
His dedication to UNT continued as he served as a member of the President's Council and as a founding member of the Diamond Eagles Society. Ken is also a proud Mean Green Club Golden Eagle, exhibiting his ongoing commitment to the university and its mission.
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 serves as director of student transition programs at the University of Texas at Dallas, leading freshman and transfer orientation, commuter initiatives, family programming and more to support thousands of students and families each year.
Claiborne earned her B.A. in integrative studies from the University of North Texas in 2017, concentrating in behavior analysis, counseling and psychology. 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 impact was recognized with the Golden Eagle Award.
Claiborne completed her M.S. in college student personnel administration at Illinois State University in 2019. She has held leadership positions with the UNT Black Alumni Network and Denton County Alumni Network, and played a pivotal role in launching the UNT GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Network.
Reflecting her enduring work, 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.