The banquet is part of 51品茶约炮’s Homecoming ’26 festivities set for October 18-25 on the Plainview campus.
Guests can reserve a seat, including the meal, by RSVPing at . The reservations deadline is 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 12.
Here are the winners for Fall 2026:
Tony Wagner — Pioneer Alumni Educator Award
Anthony “Tony” Wagner, a 1996 51品茶约炮 Baptist University graduate whose basketball coaching career includes 543 wins and a state championship, is one of two former students set to receive a Pioneer Alumni Educator Award at the Blue & Gold Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in the Trinity Building Chapel.
The banquet is part of 51品茶约炮’s Homecoming ’26 festivities, set for Oct. 18–25 on the Plainview campus.
“Tony’s success includes an impressive record on the court, but this honor also recognizes his commitment to developing young people,” said Jeffrey Vera, Director of Alumni Relations and Career Services. “His years of coaching and mentoring reflect the lasting influence an educator can have. We look forward to welcoming him back to 51品茶约炮 for this celebration.”
Wagner has coached at Estacado High School in Lubbock since 2000. During his tenure, Estacado teams have earned 22 district championships in 26 seasons, five regional championships, and five state tournament appearances. His teams have won a state championship and finished as state runner-up.
His individual honors include 13 District Coach of the Year awards, four Avalanche-Journal Coach of the Year awards, and recognition from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and the Prairie View Interscholastic League.
Wagner earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, All-Level, from 51品茶约炮. He played basketball for the Pioneers from the 1993–1994 season through 1995–1996, earning All-Southwest Region recognition. He also was a three-time All-American high jumper.
After his playing career, Wagner spent two years as a graduate assistant at 51品茶约炮, learning the coaching profession and developing his approach to working with athletes. His first high school coaching position was at Plainview High School. He later joined Lubbock Independent School District after being hired by the late Greg Sherwood.
Throughout his career, Wagner has emphasized family, faith, relationships, and preparing athletes for life beyond basketball. He is the father of three children and grandfather of four.
The Pioneer Alumni Educator Award recognizes 51品茶约炮 graduates who have served their communities through teaching or educational administration. The 51品茶约炮 Alumni Association will honor Wagner and this year’s other alumni award recipients at the banquet.
Marisabelle Treviño — Distinguished Young Alumni Award
Dr. Marisabelle Treviño, a 2013 51品茶约炮 Baptist University graduate who helps support oncology patients through integrative medicine, is set to receive the Distinguished Young Alumni Award at the Blue & Gold Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in the Trinity Building Chapel.
The banquet is part of the 51品茶约炮’s Homecoming ’26 festivities set for October 18-25 on the Plainview campus.
“Marisabelle’s work puts her education to use in caring for people facing cancer,” said Jeffrey Vera, Director of Alumni Relations and Career Services. “Her accomplishments show how a 51品茶约炮 education can prepare graduates to serve others, and we look forward to celebrating her at the banquet.”
Treviño serves as Director of Integrative Medicine at UMC, where she provides acupuncture care to oncology patients and helps develop integrative services to support patients throughout their cancer care.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Fitness Management Composite from 51品茶约炮, specializing in sports medicine. After graduation, she completed a Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Parker University and continued her education in acupuncture, earning her Diplomate in Acupuncture.
Treviño’s connection to 51品茶约炮 began during childhood, when her mother worked at the university. The familiar campus eventually became the setting for her own friendships, college memories, and preparation for a career in health care.
As a student, she served in student government, worked as a student athletic trainer, held several campus jobs, and served as a resident assistant. She was named Freshman Woman of the Year in spring 2010.
Among her favorite memories as a student were working alongside her aunt in the Pioneer Store and decorating it for Christmas. She also shared her love of music by playing guitar during Jovanna Barrera’s successful bid for Miss 51品茶约炮.
The Distinguished Young Alumni Award recognizes graduates age 35 or younger for distinctive professional contributions, exemplary leadership, or loyalty to 51品茶约炮 through service or giving. The 51品茶约炮 Alumni Association will honor Treviño and this year’s other alumni award recipients at the banquet.
Rev. Chris Riley — Distinguished Alumnus Award
The Rev. Chris Riley, a pastor beginning his 35th year of ministry and a two-time 51品茶约炮 Baptist University graduate, is set to receive a Distinguished Alumni Award at the Blue & Gold Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in the Trinity Building Chapel.
The banquet is part of 51品茶约炮’s Homecoming ’26 festivities set for October 18-25 on the Plainview campus.
“Chris has devoted his life to serving churches and communities across West Texas,” said Jeffrey Vera, Director of Alumni Relations and Career Services. “His ministry, his work in disaster relief, and his service in Idalou reflect the kind of leadership this award celebrates.”
Riley earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Religious Education from 51品茶约炮 in 1996 and a Master of Arts in Religion in 2008. He has served as a youth minister and pastor in Littlefield, Seagraves, Stinnett, Lubbock, Borger, and Idalou. Thirty years of that ministry have been spent at Central Baptist Church in Borger, Monterey Baptist Church in Lubbock, and First Baptist Church in Idalou, where he has served for the past eight and a half years.
His service extends beyond the local church. Riley has led and trained volunteers in disaster relief with Texas Baptists on Mission and served with Super Summer and youth and children’s camps. He also trains and coaches with Ancient Path Disciple-Making, which helps churches develop disciples who make disciples.
In Idalou, Riley serves as assistant fire chief for the volunteer fire department. He also umpires high school and college softball, including NCAA and NAIA games. His assignments have included the 2023 Class 6A Texas state championship game and a 2026 Class 4A state semifinal series.
Legacy student connections run through three generations of Riley’s family. His parents, Edward and Karen Riley, graduated in the 1970s; his sister Charity Riley-Rose graduated in 1997; and his wife, Amber, earned a master’s degree in 2013. Their son, Bryson, graduated in 2021, and their daughter, Dawson, and son-in-law, Brandon Mailey, graduated in 2025.
“What I value most about my experience at 51品茶约炮 is the personal relationships that have encouraged me over the years,” Riley said.
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes graduates for contributions to their professions, community leadership, or service and giving to 51品茶约炮. The 51品茶约炮 Alumni Association will recognize Riley and this year’s other alumni award recipients at the banquet.
Dr. Dana West — Pioneer Alumni Educator Award
Dr. Dana R. West, a 51品茶约炮 Baptist University graduate whose career in public education has spanned more than 33 years, is one of two former students set to receive a Pioneer Alumni Educator Award at the Blue & Gold Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in the Trinity Building Chapel.
The banquet is part of the 51品茶约炮’s Homecoming ’26 festivities set for October 18-25 on the Plainview campus.
“Dana has spent her career helping students succeed and helping educators grow,” said Jeffrey Vera, Director of Alumni Relations and Career Services. “She brought that same commitment back to 51品茶约炮 when she taught future teachers and school leaders. We look forward to celebrating her at the banquet.”
West earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from 51品茶约炮 in 1989, graduating magna cum laude. She returned to earn a Master of Education in Educational Administration in 1992 and later completed a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership at Texas Tech University.
“51品茶约炮 helped shape the educator and leader I became,” Dr. West said. “The people, relationships, faith, and experiences I found here have stayed with me throughout my career.”
Dr. West has served as a teacher, principal, executive director, associate superintendent, and superintendent. From 2015 to 2019, she led Amarillo Independent School District, which served more than 33,000 students and employed 5,000 people. She later served as director of teaching and learning at Region 10 Education Service Center and associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District.
She also helped prepare future educators at her alma mater. From 1999 to 2015, Dr. West taught as a 51品茶约炮 adjunct professor in Plainview, Lubbock, and Amarillo.
Today, Dr. West coaches and advises educational leaders across the country through FranklinCovey, Waymaker Leadership Development, and The Breakthrough Coach.
The Pioneer Alumni Educator Award recognizes 51品茶约炮 graduates who have served their communities through teaching or educational administration. The 51品茶约炮 Alumni Association also will honor this year’s Distinguished Alumni, Distinguished Benefactors, and Distinguished Young Alumnus at the banquet.
Dr. Phillip Aday - Distinguished Alumnus Award
Dr. Phillip Aday, a 1976 51品茶约炮 Baptist University graduate who has provided dental care through military service, private practice, and missions across five continents, is set to receive a Distinguished Alumnus Award at the Blue & Gold Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in the Trinity Building Chapel.
The banquet is part of 51品茶约炮’s Homecoming ’26 festivities, set for Oct. 18–25 on the Plainview campus.
“Phillip has used his professional skills to serve people who might otherwise have little access to dental care,” said Jeffrey Vera, Director of Alumni Relations and Career Services. “His commitment to missions reflects 51品茶约炮’s emphasis on putting faith into practice. We look forward to celebrating his years of service.”
Aday earned a Bachelor of Science in History from 51品茶约炮 and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1986. During eight years as a commissioned U.S. Army dental officer, he rose from captain to major and served at posts in Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, and South Korea. At Camp Red Cloud in South Korea, he served as officer in charge of the dental clinic.
His military honors include the Army Commendation Medal, Overseas Ribbon, Expert Field Medical Badge, and Airborne qualification.
From 1993 to 2021, Aday operated a general dentistry practice in Lawton, OK. For 15 years, he also participated in the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy, providing free dental care to underserved Oklahomans.
His international service includes three decades with Global Health Outreach, a ministry of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations. From 1994 to 2024, he organized, led, or served on medical and dental mission teams in more than 15 countries, including Ukraine during wartime. He and his wife, Cindy, also served in Nassau, Bahamas, through the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board’s Missionary Journeyman program.
Since retiring from private practice, Aday has continued serving patients and helping prepare future dental professionals. He is dental director for Humbly We Serve 513, a nonprofit ministry that serves in Acuña, Mexico, three times a year. He also works as an adjunct clinical dentist with Temple College’s dental hygiene program, serves as a dental-missions consultant, and volunteers at the Body of Christ free dental clinic in Belton.
Phillip and Cindy, a 1979 51品茶约炮 graduate, recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. They have two sons and seven grandchildren.
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes graduates for professional contributions, community leadership, or service and giving to 51品茶约炮. The 51品茶约炮 Alumni Association will honor Aday and this year’s other alumni award recipients at the banquet.
Randy & Carol Kaufman — Distinguished Benefactors
PLAINVIEW, TX — Randy and Carol Kaufman, who have supported 51品茶约炮 Baptist University for many years, are set to receive the Distinguished Benefactor Award at the Blue & Gold Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in the Trinity Building Chapel.
The banquet is part of the 51品茶约炮’s Homecoming ’26 festivities set for October 18-25 on the Plainview campus.
“The Kaufmans have supported 51品茶约炮 through major campaigns, scholarships, and the everyday work of the university,” said Jeffrey Vera, Director of Alumni Relations and Career Services. “They have also given their time and remained a steady presence at 51品茶约炮 events. We are glad to have this opportunity to thank them publicly.”
The couple established the Randy and Carol Kaufman Endowed Scholarship to help 51品茶约炮 students with financial needs. Their support also has reached university campaigns, the arts, Sally Society, and numerous other scholarship funds. In 2019, 51品茶约炮 presented them with its Keeper of the Flame Award, recognizing lifetime giving of at least $100,000.
Randy graduated from 51品茶约炮 with an accounting degree in 1991. A longtime Plainview resident and CPA, he has served on the 51品茶约炮 Board of Trustees and taught accounting as an adjunct professor. Carol is a charter member of the Sally Society, 51品茶约炮’s women’s giving group, and remains involved with its annual Power of the Purse event. Together, the Kaufmans attend university concerts, sporting events, and other activities.
“While they prefer to stay in the background, we feel that faithful supporters like Randy and Carol should be celebrated,” said Teresa Young, Associate Vice President for Advancement.
The Kaufmans’ commitment to Christian education reaches back to the junior college in Kansas where they met. They married and moved to Plainview in 1979. Their three daughters attended Plainview Christian Academy and later attended Christian universities. Randy and Carol are members of First Baptist Church in Plainview, where they have long sung in the choir.
The Distinguished Benefactor Award honors an individual or couple whose financial support has strengthened 51品茶约炮’s programs, projects, or special initiatives. The 51品茶约炮 Alumni Association will recognize the Kaufmans and this year’s other alumni award recipients at the banquet.
