Gordon College Presents 2016 Alumni Awards

Each year Gordon College recognizes the good work of select alumni at an awards ceremony on the opening night of Homecoming. This year’s eight recipients have lived around the globe, boast a combined 259 years of professional experience, and are leaders in a diverse range of fields—from high-tech companies to education to urban and global ministry. They were honored this past Friday, September 30, 2016.

Gordon Alumni Award: Laura Fastie-Grapshi ’81 Widely recognized for her exceptional leadership and management skills, Laura Fastie-Grapshi is director of supplier management and procurement in global supplier relations for American Express Travel. She previously worked for American Airlines. Fastie-Grapshi studied political science and currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Gordon.

The Gordon Alumni Award is given for embodiment of the Gordon mission through a life of leadership and service.

Gordon Young Alumni Award: Rob ’01 and Gina ’01 Bradley Rob Bradley is vice president of investor relations at LogMeIn, a Boston-based SaaS (Software as a Service) and cloud-based remote connectivity company. He studied history at Gordon and earned an MBA from the Wallace E. Carroll Graduate School of Management at Boston College. A political science major at Gordon, Gina Bradley, J.D., serves as chief operating officer, general counsel, and a principal of The Colony Group wealth management firm. The Gordon Young Alumni Award is given for a life of servant leadership and significant contribution to the workplace and community.

Jack Good Community Service Award: Donn Truax ’99 Formerly a professional soccer player and youth ministry leader, Donn Truax is co-founder and executive director of Change of 1 (C1), a Christian community center and safe haven in Gloversville, New York, where his wife, Cynthia Gates-Truax ’99, serves as development director. Donn studied recreation and leisure studies (now recreation, sport and wellness) at Gordon. The Jack Good Community Service Award is given for faithful, outstanding service and model of Christian servanthood in the local community.

Winifred Currie Award in Education: William F. Stevens Jr. ’71 A longtime champion of Christian education, Bill Stevens is the headmaster of Wilmington Christian School in Delaware. He previously served as headmaster of Schenectady Christian Academy and Eastern Europe consultant for the Association of Christian Schools. A history major at Gordon, Bill earned a master’s degree at Regent University. The Winifred Currie Award in Education is given for outstanding service to the education field and the community, and for serving as a distinguished role model to peers, friends and students.

A. J. Gordon Missionary Service Award: Deighton ’50B and Alice ’50B Douglin Barrington alumni Deighton and Alice Douglin served for decades in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a wide array of capacities, including as school teachers and administrators, through many times of great personal risk. Alice is the author of Daughter of the Commandant. The A. J. Gordon Missionary Service Award is given for faithful service with integrity and maintaining a steadfast commitment to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year: Kristina Wacome Stevick ’98 As president and artistic director of History Alive, Inc. at the Old Town Hall in Salem, Massachusetts, Kristina Wacome Stevick devises intriguing theatrical scenarios based on true stories from the past, including the ever popular Cry Innocent, written by her husband, associate professor of English Mark Stevick ’87. The Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year is given for exemplary vision, charisma, courage, determination, resourcefulness, hard work, creativity and innovation.