TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama National Alumni Association (NAA) recently named the recipients of the 2002 Distinguished Alumni Awards and 2002 Alumni Student Awards.

Recipients will be recognized at the annual Alumni Weekend Luncheon on Saturday, April 13, at noon in the Bryant Conference Center.

The NAA acknowledges and honors an alumna and alumnus of UA for their contributions to the University and the NAA. Selection for the Distinguished Alumni Awards is based on loyalty and service to the University and the NAA, character and personal life, professional achievement or success in chosen endeavor, and community service on local and/or state or national level.

The 2002 Distinguished Alumna Award winner is MarLa Stephenson Sayers of Tuscaloosa and the 2002 Distinguished Alumnus Award winner is Ralph P. Loveless of Mobile.

The NAA also recognizes and honors students in the senior class. The students have excelled in academics and extracurricular activities, shown strength of character and maturity and displayed exceptional hospitality toward guests and friends of the University.

The recipients of the 2002 Alumni Student Awards are Cameron Leigh Willis of Gadsden, Christopher Dean Bottoms of Enterprise, and Thomas B.D. Lee of Greensboro.

The 2002 Alumni Outstanding Senior Award winners are Rebecca Baum of Gadsden; Lisa Somerville Jones of Fort Payne; Amber Martin of Birmingham (zip code 35215); Monica Moss of Hattiesburg, Miss.; Andree Pickens of Houston, Texas; Lauren Santi of Nashville, Tenn.; James “Nick” Irvin of Dora; Charles “Randall” Minor of Birmingham (zip code 35211); Christopher Lee Moore of Florence; Michael Stoltz of Pleasant Grove; and Drew Thornley of Jasper.