Christopher Newport Alumni

Christopher Newport Alumni The Christopher Newport Alumni Society encourages a lifelong bond between alumni and their alma mater

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🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year AwardCongratulations to Jennifer Dunn ’95, recipient of the 202...
08/28/2026

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award

Congratulations to Jennifer Dunn ’95, recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award!
Jennifer Dunn’s career reflects a remarkable legacy of leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to both her profession and her alma mater. A 1995 graduate of Christopher Newport University with a degree in Communications, Jennifer dedicated 29 years to Newport News Shipbuilding, culminating in her role as Vice President of Communications, where she led communications strategy for Virginia’s largest industrial employer and supported the critical mission of the U.S. nuclear Navy.
Although she grew up in a family of shipbuilders, Jennifer never envisioned a career in the shipbuilding industry. That changed in 1997 when she joined Newport News Shipbuilding—a decision that launched nearly three decades of leadership and service. Throughout her career, she advanced through communications roles of increasing responsibility, earning the respect of colleagues and proudly championing the work of the shipbuilders whose dedication strengthens our nation’s security.
Following her retirement in 2026, Jennifer continues to make an impact through volunteerism and service. She supports animal rescue efforts, serves as a volunteer newsletter editor, and remains deeply engaged with Christopher Newport University as a member of the Board of Visitors and the Theatre Guild. Her continued commitment to giving back reflects her enduring pride as a Captain for Life.
Congratulations, Jennifer, on this extraordinary and well-deserved honor. Your distinguished career, steadfast leadership, and continued dedication to Christopher Newport University embody the very highest ideals of the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award.

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Distinguished Alumni Service AwardCongratulations to Douglas G. Pons ’92, recipient of the Distin...
08/28/2026

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Distinguished Alumni Service Award

Congratulations to Douglas G. Pons ’92, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Service Award!
A lifelong Williamsburg resident and proud Christopher Newport University alumnus, Douglas G. Pons ’92 has devoted his career to strengthening his community through visionary leadership, public service, and civic engagement. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Doug built a successful career as a business owner and real estate entrepreneur while remaining deeply committed to improving the quality of life throughout Williamsburg and the Hampton Roads region.
Doug’s dedication to public service spans more than three decades. He has served 16 years on the Williamsburg City Council, including six years as Mayor and two years as Vice Mayor, following eight years on the Williamsburg Planning Commission. Today, he continues to provide leadership as Chairman of the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC), Chairman of the Williamsburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and in numerous other regional and local leadership roles that support transportation, housing, tourism, economic development, and education.
Beyond elected office, Doug has generously shared his time and expertise with countless civic and nonprofit organizations, including the Kiwanis Club, Williamsburg Jaycees, the Virginia Living Museum, the YMCA, and the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance. His exceptional leadership has earned numerous honors, including the Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce Roll of the Drum Award, the Williamsburg Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, Inside Business Top 40 Under 40, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man of the Year.
Congratulations, Doug, on this well-deserved recognition. Your lifelong commitment to servant leadership, community engagement, and public service exemplifies the enduring values of Christopher Newport University and its alumni community.

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Jane Chambers Volunteer AwardCongratulations to Dr. Lisa Spiller, recipient of the Jane Chambers ...
08/28/2026

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Jane Chambers Volunteer Award

Congratulations to Dr. Lisa Spiller, recipient of the Jane Chambers Volunteer Award!
For more than 31 years, Dr. Lisa Spiller served Christopher Newport University with extraordinary dedication as a teacher, mentor, advisor, and champion for student success. Throughout her distinguished career, she inspired generations of Captains through her unwavering commitment to academic excellence, mentorship, and service to the University community.
In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Dr. Spiller was named Distinguished Professor of Marketing, one of the University’s highest academic distinctions. She was also the inaugural recipient of the Alumni Society Award for Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring, reflecting the profound and lasting impact she made on her students and colleagues.
Dr. Spiller coached more than 20 nationally recognized collegiate competition teams, bringing regional and national acclaim to Christopher Newport. Her influence extended well beyond campus through the publication of two internationally adopted marketing textbooks, invited lectures across the United States and abroad, and a lifetime achievement award recognizing her contributions to the marketing profession.
Congratulations, Dr. Spiller, on this well-deserved recognition. Your decades of service, unwavering commitment to students, and lasting impact on Christopher Newport University embody the spirit of the Jane Chambers Volunteer Award.

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | The Muriel Millar ’88 Life Well Lived AwardThe Christopher Newport University Alumni Society is h...
08/28/2026

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | The Muriel Millar ’88 Life Well Lived Award

The Christopher Newport University Alumni Society is honored to recognize Kevin B. Lyles ’85 as the recipient of the Muriel Millar ’88 Life Well Lived Award.
Kevin Lyles lived a life defined by service, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to lifting others. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Christopher Newport University in 1985, he built a distinguished career in banking, financial services, nonprofit leadership, and healthcare. Most recently, he served as Community Education Coordinator for LifeNet Health, where his passion for the organization’s mission of “Saving Lives, Restoring Health and Giving Hope” earned him the 2022–2023 Spirit Award, the company’s highest employee honor.
Service was the cornerstone of Kevin’s life. For decades, he dedicated countless hours to organizations across the Virginia Peninsula, including Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, youth sports programs, and Rotary International. As a longtime member and three-time president of the Warwick at City Center Rotary Club, he inspired others through innovative fundraising efforts such as the beloved Bacon Bash, which has raised more than $260,000 to support charitable organizations throughout the region.
Kevin’s love for Christopher Newport remained a constant throughout his life. He served on the CNU Alumni Society Board, contributed as a member of the President’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Council, enthusiastically supported Captains athletics, and was previously recognized as the University’s Distinguished Alumni of the Year. Whether mentoring students, volunteering in the community, or simply encouraging those around him, Kevin lived each day with kindness, humility, and a servant’s heart.
Congratulations to the Lyles family on this meaningful recognition. Kevin’s extraordinary legacy of compassion, leadership, and selfless service continues to inspire the Christopher Newport community and beautifully reflects the spirit of the Muriel Millar ’88 Life Well Lived Award.

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | The Muriel Millar ’88 Life Well Lived AwardThe Christopher Newport University Alumni Society is h...
08/28/2026

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | The Muriel Millar ’88 Life Well Lived Award

The Christopher Newport University Alumni Society is honored to recognize Cait Cedor (Harris) ’12, M.A.T. ’13 as the recipient of the Muriel Millar ’88 Life Well Lived Award.
Cait’s life was a beautiful reflection of compassion, leadership, and selfless service. A member of Christopher Newport’s President’s Leadership Program and Alpha Phi Sorority, she embraced every opportunity to lead, give back, and build meaningful relationships that continued long after graduation. After earning her bachelor’s degree in History in 2012 and her Master of Arts in Teaching in 2013, she dedicated her career to inspiring middle and high school students through her love of history and education.
Christopher Newport was also where Cait met her husband, Phil. The two were married in Pope Chapel in 2014 and celebrated with family, friends, teammates, and sorority sisters in the David Student Union Ballroom. Together they built a loving family and found their greatest joy in raising their three daughters—Charlie, Maggie, and Haddie.
Whether she was teaching, supporting a friend, volunteering in her community, or quietly caring for others through handwritten notes, meals, and countless acts of kindness, Cait consistently put others before herself. Even while courageously battling synovial sarcoma, she continued to “show up” for those around her with grace, generosity, and unwavering love.
Congratulations to Cait and the Harris family on this meaningful recognition. Cait’s legacy of kindness, service, and love continues to inspire the Christopher Newport community and beautifully embodies the spirit of the Muriel Millar ’88 Life Well Lived Award.

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Alumni Achievement AwardCongratulations to Alexis Lauren Leggett ’14, recipient of the Alumni Ach...
08/28/2026

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Alumni Achievement Award

Congratulations to Alexis Lauren Leggett ’14, recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award!
Alexis Lauren Leggett has built a dynamic career in the film and television industry as a casting director, actor, and production coordinator, contributing to more than 30 film, television, and commercial productions. Her work spans both independent and major studio projects, including productions for Netflix, Sony, and Searchlight Pictures, where she has earned a reputation for identifying talent and fostering collaborative, inclusive environments throughout the filmmaking process.
With experience in casting, production coordination, and associate producing, Alexis brings a unique perspective to every project. Beyond her work behind the camera, she is passionate about mentoring the next generation of performers by coaching actors of all ages in on-camera performance, audition techniques, and professional development.
Her commitment to service extends beyond the entertainment industry. In 2025, Alexis earned her FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and dedicated more than six months to supporting Hurricane Helene disaster recovery efforts in western North Carolina. Using drone technology, she assisted with critical damage assessments and community rebuilding initiatives, applying her skills to serve those in need.
Congratulations, Alexis, on this well-deserved recognition. Your creativity, leadership, and commitment to service exemplify the remarkable achievements of Christopher Newport University alumni.

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Alumni Achievement AwardCongratulations to Joe Pleban ’12, recipient of the Alumni Achievement Aw...
08/28/2026

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Alumni Achievement Award

Congratulations to Joe Pleban ’12, recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award!
Joe Pleban’s journey is one of extraordinary resilience, perseverance, and determination. A 2012 graduate of Christopher Newport University, where he was an active member of Pi Lambda Phi and the rugby team, Joe faced the challenges of Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor (TGCT), a rare joint disease that ultimately led to the amputation of his left foot in 2014.
Rather than allowing adversity to define his future, Joe embraced a new path in adaptive sports. His dedication and determination earned him a place on the U.S. Paralympic Snowboard Team, where he proudly represented the United States at the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games in Italy, competing in both Snowboard Cross and Banked Slalom.
Today, Joe lives in Utah with his family, where he continues to compete as an elite athlete while sharing his story through public speaking and mentoring fellow amputees and individuals navigating limb loss. Through his courage, perseverance, and commitment to helping others overcome life’s challenges, Joe continues to inspire communities both on and off the slopes.
Congratulations, Joe, on this well-deserved recognition. Your resilience, leadership, and unwavering determination embody the spirit of Christopher Newport University and its alumni community.

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Alumni Achievement AwardCongratulations to Lori Barrett Miller ’88, recipient of the Alumni Achie...
08/28/2026

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Alumni Achievement Award

Congratulations to Lori Barrett Miller ’88, recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award!
Lori Barrett Miller is an accomplished writer, educator, and editor whose career reflects a lifelong dedication to storytelling, creativity, and the written word. A 1988 graduate of Christopher Newport University with a degree in English, Lori’s professional journey has spanned journalism, publishing, technology, higher education, and literary arts.
After beginning her career at the Daily Press, Lori contributed to the launch of The Wall Street Journal’s online edition in 1996 before later earning a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Chatham University. Her fiction and essays have appeared in numerous respected literary publications, including Salon, The Laurel Review, The Pinch, Citron Review, and Maudlin House, as well as the anthology Mamas and Papas: On the Sublime and Heartbreaking Art of Parenting. Her work has also been nominated for Best Small Fictions, longlisted for the Wigleaf Top 50, and recognized with the 2023 PEN America/L’Engle Rahman Prize, honoring prison writing mentor and mentee partnerships.
Today, Lori teaches at National Louis University in Chicago and serves as an assistant fiction editor for the online literary magazine Pithead Chapel, where she continues to inspire emerging writers while advancing the literary arts through teaching, mentorship, and editorial leadership.
Congratulations, Lori, on this well-deserved recognition. Your creativity, dedication to education, and lasting contributions to literature exemplify the remarkable achievements of Christopher Newport University alumni.

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Alumni Achievement AwardCongratulations to Dr. Lucian Mirra ’09, recipient of the Alumni Achievem...
08/28/2026

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Alumni Achievement Award

Congratulations to Dr. Lucian Mirra ’09, recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award!
Dr. Lucian Mirra has dedicated his career to emergency medical services, public safety, leadership, and education. A 2009 Christopher Newport University graduate with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Leadership, Lucian was an active member of the President’s Leadership Program (PLP) and served as Chief Justice of the Student Government Association. His passion for emergency medicine began long before graduation, as he completed paramedic training while attending CNU and volunteered as an EMT.
Following graduation, Lucian served as a firefighter and paramedic in the Washington, D.C., area before earning a master’s degree in Education and a doctorate from the University of Virginia. As UVA’s first Emergency Management Coordinator, he helped strengthen emergency preparedness while conducting research focused on instructor training and leadership. He has since authored numerous book chapters and scholarly articles and regularly speaks across the country on leadership, emergency management, and public safety. Among his most meaningful accomplishments is returning to Christopher Newport as a guest lecturer in leadership and health studies courses.
Today, Lucian serves as EMS Coordinator for Albemarle County Fire Rescue while continuing to volunteer as a paramedic more than 20 years after first entering the profession. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to developing future leaders and advancing excellence in emergency services.
Congratulations, Lucian, on this well-deserved recognition. Your lifelong commitment to
leadership, education, and serving others reflects the very best of the Christopher Newport alumni community.

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Alumni Achievement AwardCongratulations to Brannon Tison ’12, recipient of the Alumni Achievement...
08/28/2026

🏆 2026 Alumni Awards | Alumni Achievement Award

Congratulations to Brannon Tison ’12, recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award!
Brannon Tison has built an extraordinary career creating unforgettable entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Theater: Technical Design from Christopher Newport University in 2012, she joined Walt Disney World as an Entertainment Technician, where her creativity and technical expertise have helped bring some of Disney’s most iconic productions to life.
During her career, Brannon spent nine years at Magic Kingdom as Crew Chief for Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular before serving as Nighttime Spectacular Operations Crew Chief at EPCOT, where she led the installation of lasers and pyrotechnics for the debut of Luminous: A Symphony of Us. Most recently, she accepted a Temporary Internal Assignment with Disney Signature Experiences as a Fireworks Designer, collaborating with Disney Cruise Line on The Disney Adventure. There, she designed special effects for the new MainStage production Disney Remember and led the installation of The Lion King: A Celebration in the Sky, the largest fireworks show at sea. Her work is also featured in the Disney+ series We Call It Imagineering.
Today, Brannon continues to inspire guests through her work at Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, one of Walt Disney World’s highest-rated live productions. Her career reflects a remarkable blend of technical excellence, innovation, and storytelling that has delighted audiences across Disney parks and cruise experiences around the globe.
Congratulations, Brannon, on this well-deserved recognition. Your creativity, leadership, and contributions to the entertainment industry exemplify the remarkable achievements of Christopher Newport University alumni.

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1 Avenue Of The Arts Gregory P. Klich Alumni House
Newport News, VA
23606

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