Alumni Association to honor 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients
By Carrie McGinnis | Apr 8, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� The 麻豆视频官网入口 Alumni Association (MSUAA) will honor an outstanding group of alumni as the 2026 recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award. The annual Distinguished Alumni dinner and award ceremony will be held on Friday, April 17, in the Hall of Benefactors on the first floor of Heritage Hall, located at the corner of KY-121 and North 16th Street. A cash bar reception will begin at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards program at 6 p.m.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor presented by the MSUAA, recognizing alumni who have achieved excellence in their professions while demonstrating meaningful impact on their communities at the local, state, national and global levels.
The 2026 Distinguished Alumni honorees are Dr. Wanda Bigham, 鈥�56; Col. Bill 鈥淏illy鈥� Brooks, 鈥�62; Patricia 鈥淧atti鈥� Eisenberg; and Jim 鈥淛immy Ray鈥� Link, 鈥�89, 鈥�91. The 2026 Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient is E. Josiah Kenty, 鈥�20.
Dr. Wanda Bigham, 鈥�56, earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in music from 麻豆视频官网入口. A former university president and lifelong leader in higher education, Bigham currently serves as a Senior Consultant for Academic Search. She met her late husband, Dr. William Bigham, 鈥�56, while both were students at Murray State, where their shared passion for music and education began.
Col. Bill 鈥淏illy鈥� Brooks, 鈥�62, earned bachelor鈥檚 degrees in both mathematics and physics before embarking on a distinguished 30-year career in the United States Army. He retired as Executive Communications and Control, White House Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Army Director in 1992. Brooks then spent more than two decades with Science Applications International Corporation conducting national security analysis. Notably, he led efforts to develop updated Pentagon evacuation plans following the September 11 attacks.
Patricia 鈥淧atti鈥� Eisenberg, a 1974 graduate in nursing, has had a significant impact on the healthcare field at the national level. Throughout her career, she has helped shape healthcare standards incorporated into clinical doctoral programs. Her research in enteral and parenteral nutrition has been adopted into national standards and included in a widely used medical textbook. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Eisenberg is a dedicated philanthropist and accomplished wildlife photographer.
Jim 鈥淛immy Ray鈥� Link, 鈥�89, 鈥�91, earned degrees in public relations and organizational communication and now serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for the Society for Human Resource Management, representing more than 340,000 members in 180 countries. An internationally recognized thought leader on human capability and the future of work, Link is a sought-after global speaker, advisor and consultant on workplace trends and leadership.
The 2026 Outstanding Young Alumni Award will be presented to E. Josiah Kenty, 鈥�20, a Murray State football alumnus and founder and CEO of Flip the Culture. Kenty, who earned his degree in criminal justice, is the author of Overtime, host of the Flip the Culture podcast and a 2025 TEDxAlabaster speaker. He currently serves as a Lead Instructional Facilitator and Digital Engagement Specialist for the IMC Financial Freedom Project in Birmingham City Schools, where he delivers innovative financial literacy programming to students, parents and staff. Kenty frequently returns to Murray State to invest in and inspire current students.
Tickets for the event are available at . The RSVP deadline is Friday, April 10. For more information, contact the Murray State University Office of Alumni Relations at 800-758-8510.