UIndy Alumni Association Recognizes Alumni, Supporters with 2024 Awards
Written by Lilli Keiper
The University of Indianapolis and its Alumni Board of Directors honored UIndy graduates who have achieved exceptional success and served their society.
The 10-Hounds Distinguished Young Alumni Awards
10-Hounds honors ten University of Indianapolis alumni who have made an exceptional impact since their graduation with the Distinguished Young Alumni Award. This award recognizes alumni who are outstanding in their personal and professional endeavors and who have made significant contributions to their community.
Joseph Britner ’11 ’12 (Operation & Supply Chain Management, MBA)
Joseph Britner serves as the Chief Operating Officer at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, where he is responsible for operational enhancements, strengthening physician alignment and engagement, and ensuring successful growth across the hospital’s key service lines. Before joining Kendall, he was the COO and ethics and compliance officer at HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital, where he opened a 25-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit, achieved excellence as the #1 hospital in HCA Healthcare’s National Group for physician and employee engagement, and was a top performer in elective surgical growth.
Kelleigh Irwin Fagan ’10 (Sport Management)
During her time at UIndy, Kelleigh Fagan played golf for one year and worked in the athletics department for several years. The experiences she had at UIndy, and the people she met, led to her professional career today, which is practicing law in collegiate athletics and higher education. She represents schools across the country on any legal issue facing an athletics department, from NCAA rules compliance to Title IX to NIL to athletics investigations. Fagan was recognized as an IBJ Forty Under 40 recipient in 2023.
Tiffany Hanson ’06 (Communication)
Tiffany Hanson was part of the inaugural group of students who launched UIndyTV. Her time at UIndy taught her that she could pave her own unique career pathway. She’s since worn a variety of professional hats, focusing on using her talents to make our community a better place. In 2023, she was recognized as an IBJ Forty Under 40 recipient. At Morales Group, a staffing and talent-sourcing agency that predominantly works with immigrants, Hanson focuses on leveraging corporate and government supplier diversity programs.
Julie Lee ’14 (Doctor of Physical Therapy)
In 2017, Julie Lee was selected as a clinic director and was able to open a brand new ATI clinic in her hometown. In 2019, Julie decided to specialize exclusively in pelvic patients and took a position as the in-house PT at Axia Women’s Health. With the experience and knowledge she gained during COVID, she opened Julie Lee Physical Therapy in 2020. Now, she works to provide a holistic approach to treating complex pelvic and orthopedic pain.
Tyler Peterman ’12 (Sport Management)
Tyler Peterman has worked at Peterman Brothers, with his brother, Chad, since graduating from UIndy and is currently the Vice President of Excavation. Under their leadership, Peterman Brothers has grown to a company of over 550 team members across multiple locations serving residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical needs of customers in central Indiana and beyond. Peterman Brothers has earned a position on the Indy Star’s Top Workplaces List six consecutive times, the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Fast 25 in 2019, Plumbing & Mechanical Magazine’s Residential Contractor of the Year in 2019, and the Inc 5000 List in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Chad Peterman ’14 (MBA)
Chad Peterman is the CEO of Peterman Brothers. Peterman is most proud to have founded the Peterman Top Tech Academy in 2020 to train the next generation of residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical technicians. In 2023, Chad was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year Midwest Award by Ernst and Young. Peterman was also named Top 40 Under 40 by ACHR News and has shared the stage with the likes of Cordia Harrington, Steve Forbes, Alan Mullaly, Ken Fisher, and Dan Kennedy to share his message about how growing your people will ultimately increase your company. Peterman has authored three books, his most recent titled The Empowerment Project: Grow Your People, Grow Your Business. He also hosts the podcast You Can’t Stop the Growth.
Emilee Smith ’13 (Accounting, MBA)
Emilee Smith is a partner at London Witte LLP, where she worked her way up from starting as an intern in 2012. Smith is still actively involved with the UIndy School of Business as a board member of SBLA and a member of the Dean’s Inaugural School of Business Advisory Board. Another program near and dear to her heart is the Distinguished Young Women scholarship program for high school senior girls, where she mentors young women to be their best selves.
Michael Solari ’07 (Marketing)
Michael Solari started at Short Strategy Group in 2007 and became President in 2017. He bought Short Strategy Group in 2019 and renamed it Market Street Group, Inc. His expertise in legislative lobbying and advocacy at the state level has earned him a reputation as one of the most trusted voices in the Indiana Statehouse. He advocates on behalf of clients in multiple industries, including gaming, tourism, alcohol, insurance, rail and logistics, public safety, and financial institutions. Solari is very active in local and state politics, having served as chairman of the Marion County Election Board. He is a member of the Indy Chamber’s Business Advisory Committee. Solari served four terms on the Indianapolis City Market Corporation Board of Directors. Elected by his peers, Solari also served as President of the Governmental Affairs Society of Indiana and a board member for the National Association of State Lobbyists.
Cole Varga ’10 (International Relations)
Cole Varga currently serves as CEO at Exodus Refugee Immigration, a nonprofit dedicated to serving the resettlement needs of refugees and other displaced people fleeing persecution, injustice, and war. While attending UIndy for his master’s in international relations, Cole began his involvement with Exodus as an intern in 2009. He was quickly brought on to the team as a staff member and, after holding several positions, was named CEO in 2015. Previously, he taught World Geography for four years as an Adjunct Instructor in the History and Political Science Department at the University of Indianapolis.
Andrew Walker II ’16 ’18 (Business Administration and Management, Strategic Leadership & Design)
Andrew Walker II has used his knowledge from UIndy to found several businesses, including Cours Capital, On It Cleaning, and The Heartland Builders. Now, he is in real estate community development, helping people acquire housing by solving complex community problems. In 2022, Andrew was also recognized as an IBJ 20 In Their Twenties recipient.
The Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna for their outstanding professional accomplishments and long-standing devotion to service in their chosen field.
Emmanuel D. Harris ‘82 (MBA)
Emmanuel D. (Mann) Harris is CEO of Harris & Associates, LLC, a financial and tax consulting firm in Indianapolis. He has over 47 years of experience in tax consulting and is an Enrolled Agent, licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department to represent taxpayers before the IRS. He is also an Investment Advisor currently working with Osaic Wealth, Inc. after being with LPL Financial for 28 years. He currently manages $100 million in investments for over 600 clients.
After graduating from UIndy, he joined the UIndy Alumni Board, where he served for several years before being appointed to the Board of Trustees by then-President Ben Lantz in 1996. During his 28-year tenure on the Board, he served five presidents and saw the offering of new majors and degrees, improvements in the grounds, new buildings and residence halls, and even the Athletics & Recreation Center.
The Education for Service Award
The Education for Service Award honors an alumnus or alumna whose work has exemplified a fulfillment of the University’s motto.
Rose Butler ’84 (Social Work)
Rose “Rosie” Butler, MA, LSW, has been serving the community through social work since graduating from UIndy in 1984. Starting in child welfare/child protection services, Butler was offered the position of social worker with the Marion County Children’s Guardian Home. After completing her master’s in counseling, she moved to the position of Director. Upon closure of the program, she had the building repurposed as a charter high school, then worked as an information and referral specialist before accepting the position of Program Director to operate a small local faith-based multi-service center in the Irvington community. Additionally, she worked for eight years as an adoption champion seeking forever families for children in DCS and also worked with people with disabilities as a behavioral consultant. Butler is currently retired, and co-leads a craft club at a local charter school, volunteers at a medical mission program helping inventory donations, and sews items for Life Centers.
The Gene & Joanne Sease Award
The Gene & Joanne Sease Award honors a couple who have exemplified the type of commitment to the University of Indianapolis shown by the Seases in their lifetime through years of dedication to UIndy.
Mary Beth ’95 (MBA) & Fred Bagg ’95 (MBA)
Dr. Mary Beth (Stocky) Bagg was hired by Gene Sease in 1987 as “the German Department” after earning her doctorate at SUNY Buffalo. Fred Bagg was a frequent guest lecturer and mentored numerous UIndy interns through his role as Director of Public Relations & Marketing at St. Francis Hospital. Both Mary Beth and Fred completed an MBA at UIndy in 1994, then taught in the MBA program through the 1990’s and into the 2000’s. Mary Beth transitioned to a variety of teaching roles and administrative posts including Director of Advising, Registrar, and serving in the Provost’s Office as Associate Provost until her retirement in 2023. She also served as interim vice president and provost, interim vice president for intercollegiate athletics, and athletic director. Fred continued teaching in the MBA program until 2014, when he retired from St. Francis after 35 years.
The Honorary Alumni Awards
The Honorary Alumni Awards honor individuals who, while not graduates of the University of Indianapolis, have clearly demonstrated their commitment to the University.
Randy & Sue Taylor
Charles “Randy” and Sue Taylor’s connection to UIndy runs through Randy’s Shuey and Tohill ancestors, who were members of and ministers in the United Brethren Church. Members of the Shuey family served as founders, faculty, and even as President of Westfield College and Seminary in Illinois, a UIndy predecessor college founded in 1861. Many members of Randy’s family, including Randy’s mother, uncle and aunt, attended Indiana Central as well as its predecessor colleges. Randy retired from CitiGroup as Senior Vice President of Government & Public Markets, which provided pension and retirement savings benefits for state employees and teachers in 20 states. Sue retired as Director of Benefits for the second-largest school district in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Charlie Burris
Charles “Charlie” Burris was unable to complete his degree at UIndy due to an injury but quickly found success in his career. He worked in the insurance and financial services fields for many years before owning his own business. He was recognized as a national sales leader, participating for several years and eventually serving as the head of the Million Dollar Round Table, an association for financial professionals who demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct, and outstanding client service. Burris served as the President of the Indiana Senior Golf Association in 2006 and as a board of directors member for 10 years.
The Distinguished Faculty/Staff Alumni Award
The Distinguished Faculty/Staff Alumni Award recognizes current faculty or staff who have graduated from the University of Indianapolis and have demonstrated consistent dedication and superior service at the University.
Coran Sigman ‘14 ‘21 (Communication and Sociology, Public Relations)
Coran Sigman serves UIndy as a Marketing and Communications Manager and Live Mascot Handler. She aids various non-academic departments across campus in achieving their marketing goals by realizing their needs and ideas. She works with the University’s event committees to successfully market large-scale events like Homecoming, Pack the House, and Commencement. As the Live Mascot Handler, Sigman manages Grady the Greyhound’s entire program including communication, care, and event attendance. Sigman also received the Spirit of UIndy Award in 2020, which recognizes those who truly live in the example of UIndy’s mission.
The University of Indianapolis Alumni Association would like to commend all alumni who have carried on the University’s dedication to education for service and stayed connected to the strong community the University has developed both on-campus and across the state.
If you know an outstanding alumna/us who deserves to be honored, nominate them for next year’s awards here.