Each year at the College of Social Sciences Homecoming Party, we award one honored alum the Distinguished Alumni Award. Listed below are previous winners along with a short description of their achievements.

1992 — David Coburn

Our first Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.

2000 — Alan Sundberg

Former member of the Florida Supreme Court and Chief Justice from 1980-1982. Received his bachelor's degree from the FSU Department of Political Science in 1955. Served as General Counsel for Florida State University from 1997-2000.

2001 — Dr. Barbara W. White

Appointed dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Texas, at Austin in 1993. She was formerly Associate Dean at the School of Social Work at Florida State University. Dr. White received her masters in Social Work, and her doctorate in Political Science from FSU.

2002 — Dr. Carl Blackwell

Dr. Blackwell earned his B.S. degree in public administration in 1957, his Masters of Public Administration in 1959, and the Ph.D. degree in Higher Education in 1972, all from the Florida State University. He was serving as Interim Chancellor of the Florida Board of Education in 2002.

2003 — Manuel H. Johnson

Former Vice Chairman, Federal Reserve Board.

2004 — Mark Filteau

2005 — Janice Kaminis Platt

Graduated from FSU 1958 with a degree in Political Science. While here she was Student V.P., Pres. of the Student Senate, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Beta Kappa, Garnet Key, Mortar Board, Hall of Fame, and Outstanding Senior Woman. She had a very long and successful career in politics in Hillsborough County. Her career has epitomized integrity in public service.

2006 — Thomas M. Culligan

Thomas M. Culligan is executive vice president of Business Development for Raytheon Company and CEO of Raytheon International, Inc. Culligan earned a bachelor’s degree in government and a master’s degree in public administration at Florida State University.

2007 — Laird Anderson

Professor Emeritus of Journalism, School of Communication, American University. Professional Journalist, Author, and Retired Colonel, US Army Reserves.

2008 — Clyda & George Rent

Clyda S. Rent spent 17 years at Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina and is now President Emerita of Mississippi University for Women, serving from 1989 to 2001. George S. Rent was on the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Associate Provost at Mississippi State University, and has been a consultant to the U.S. Office of Higher Education, the National Science Foundation, and United Family Services in Charlotte. Clyda and George are now the principals of the Rent Consulting Group, dedicated to assisting in the processes of discovering and fulfilling the potential of organizations and individuals.