2026 Alumni Awards
The Thomas More University Alumni Association recognizes seven outstanding community members as the recipients of the 2026 Alumni Awards. This year, Awards were presented in six categories, each honoring recipients for their achievements and commitment to advancing the mission of the University. Congratulations to all 2026 Alumni Award honorees!
Citizenship Award
This award honors an alumnus/alumna whose career has reached a level of excellence in their respective field of endeavor and is recognized as such by peers and others in the community. This year’s award goes to Brett Ruschman ’02.
Brett tries to make the world around him more meaningful and more connected.
Brett loves God, his family, and his community. Blessed with energy and strong organizational skills, he has used those gifts to raise funds and awareness for many charitable organizations.
His service has included annual appeals for his alma mater, Bishop Brossart High School (BBHS), and other charitable organizations; capital campaigns for BBHS and his parish, St. Mary in Alexandria; and Fresh Fest KY, the music festival he founded in ’20 to bring people together in support of worthy causes.
For 29 consecutive years, Brett has also been part of the senior class retreats at BBHS, helping generations of students reflect on faith, purpose, and the next chapter of their lives.
Brett’s most prized accomplishments are his marriage to Monica and their three children: Ethan, Leah, and Jillian. Brett, Monica, and Ethan are all Thomas More University graduates, and Leah recently began her sophomore year at the University.
Altogether, about 35 members of Brett’s extended family have attended and/or graduated from Thomas More, creating a deep family connection to the university.
Professionally, Brett has worked for two Fortune 50 companies, in local government, and now in the private sector, where he helps family and friends stay connected through technology.
Brett’s goals are simple: 1) to grow God’s Kingdom here on Earth every day and 2) to help as many people as possible get to heaven to spend eternity rocking out.
Professional Achievement Award
This year’s award, which honors an alum making a significant impact on the welfare of their community through service and leadership and has committed themselves to the integrity, concern for justice, and service to others for which our spiritual patron and namesake – Saint Thomas More – is so justly renowned, is given to Alex Weidner ’10, CPA, CFE
Alex is the president of Rudler, PSC, a full-service public accounting and business advisory firm headquartered in Fort Wright, KY. A graduate of Thomas More College with a Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Accountancy and Economics, Alex joined Rudler as a co-op student in ’07 and, through his initiative and dedication, worked his way up to become its president in July ’18.
Over nearly two decades in public accounting, Alex has built a distinguished reputation in tax advisory and client advisory services. His dual credentials as a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner reflect the breadth of his technical expertise and the trust his clients and colleagues place in his counsel. A member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Alex has also contributed to Accounting Today, lending his insights on firm leadership and advisory services to a national professional audience.
Under his leadership, Rudler has achieved record growth and has been consistently recognized by Accounting Today as one of the nation’s Best Firms to Work For and named an IPA 500 firm by Inside Public Accounting. Alex was also selected to the Modern Masters Group, an exclusive, peer-driven network of progressive accounting firm leaders convened by Rightworks, with membership limited to firms demonstrating a commitment to growth, innovation, and client success.
Committed to giving back, Alex serves on the Thomas More University Accounting Advisory Board and regularly speaks at career events to inspire the next generation of accounting professionals.
Lasting Influence Award
This award honors a faculty or staff member, past or present, who provided a positive and lasting impact on the lives of students and was a role model for life in society as well as in the career choices of students. Congratulations to Maria Mitchell.
Maria retired after teaching Accountancy at Thomas More for more than 20 years. During her time at the University, she taught managerial and advanced accounting courses for majors, as well as introductory courses for traditional students and those in the adult and professional program. She advised countless students throughout her career and served for a time as the department’s experiential learning coordinator. Her involvement included serving as a greeter at the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) clinic in Covington, KY, something she has continued to do in retirement.
Maria was also actively involved in Student Life as advisor to the Accounting Society and as a chaperone on several Habitat for Humanity trips to the Gulf Coast, which included driving the van. On the administrative side, she served as department chair for several years and coordinated Thomas More’s dual credit program.
In addition to her teaching and service, Maria coauthored the 17th edition of “Principles of Cost Accounting” with Edward J. Vanderbeck, published by Cengage in 2016.
Prior to coming to Thomas More, Maria worked at an international accounting firm and a global industrial products company, experiences that provided plenty of real-world stories for her classes. She earned her MBA from Xavier University and a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Northern Kentucky University and was a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Ohio.
In retirement, Maria remains active in her Westwood community. In addition to continuing her involvement with VITA, she volunteers at her local library branch and with the historical society, where she writes for the newsletter and occasionally gives presentations.
Across more than two decades at Thomas More, Maria’s influence extended well beyond the classroom. Through teaching, advising, service, and mentorship, she helped prepare generations of students not only for careers in accounting, but for lives of continued learning, involvement, and service.
Honorary Alumna Award
Awarded to an individual who, while not a graduate of Villa Madonna College, Thomas More College, or Thomas More University, has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the values, mission, and community spirit that have defined Thomas More University for more than 100 years. This award is given to those who have made a substantial impact on Thomas More University through support and advocacy, leaving an indelible mark on the institution. This year’s inaugural Honorary Alum award goes to Stephanie Renaker-Jansen.
Stephanie is the president and owner of Reminiscent Herb Farm, Nursery & Landscaping, Inc. and president and CEO of the Dr. George A. & Dolores E. Renaker Charitable Foundation. Through her leadership, philanthropy, and commitment to education and science, she has become a dedicated friend and advocate of Thomas More University and the Northern Kentucky community.
Stephanie’s connection to Thomas More is rooted in family. Her father, Dr. George A. Renaker ’55, established a family tradition of valuing education, scientific discovery, and service. That legacy continued with Stephanie’s daughter, Dr. Elizabeth “Lizzy” Renaker Jansen ’04, making Thomas More an important part of the Renaker family story.
Through the Renaker Charitable Foundation, Stephanie has strengthened that legacy through significant support of Thomas More’s science programs, including the Biology Field Station and K–12 STEM outreach. Her investment has created opportunities for students, educators, and young learners throughout the region to experience science through research, exploration, and hands-on learning.
Stephanie’s relationship with Thomas More extends beyond philanthropy. She has remained engaged with the University’s people and programs and continues to champion education, research, and opportunities for students. Her longstanding friendship and service were recognized with the Bishop Hughes Award in 2018.
Although Stephanie did not attend Thomas More, she has embraced its mission and invested deeply in its students and community. Through her leadership, generosity, and advocacy, she has carried forward a family legacy while creating one of her own. In recognizing her with the Honorary Alumni Award, Thomas More celebrates what her years of friendship and service have already demonstrated: Stephanie is truly one of our own.
Thomas More Service Award
Awarded to an alumnus/alumna or friend of the University who has provided continued service to the University. This award recognized extraordinary service in terms of time, energy, and expertise rather than financial support. Congratulations to Jack Johnson ’73 and Diane Johnson.
Jack and Diane, together with their family, have transformed unimaginable loss into a legacy of generosity, service, and love at Thomas More University.
Their daughter, Amber grew up in Northern Kentucky, graduated from Dixie Heights High School in ’93, and earned her degree in Accountancy from Thomas More in ’97. Following her passing from a cancerous brain tumor at just 26 years old, her family was determined to ensure that her life, spirit, and love for others would continue to make a difference.
The Johnson family established the Amber Johnson Endowed Scholarship in her memory, creating opportunities for future generations of students to experience the same transformative education Amber received. What began as a way to honor a beloved daughter and sister has grown into a lasting legacy that continues to touch the lives of Thomas More students.
That legacy is also carried forward through the annual Amber Johnson Memorial Golf Outing, which has brought family, friends, and supporters together for more than two decades to celebrate Amber while supporting the scholarship. Jack and Diane, along with Amber’s siblings, Lance, Cortney, and Shane, and their extended family and friends, have continued to give their time and energy to keeping Amber’s memory alive.
The family’s connection to Thomas More extends beyond financial support. They have shared Amber’s story with scholarship recipients and the University community, helping new generations of Saints understand the young woman behind the scholarship and the family whose love created it.
Through the scholarship, golf outing, and decades of involvement with Thomas More, the Johnson family has ensured that Amber remains part of the University’s story. Students who never had the opportunity to meet her continue to benefit from her legacy, with each new recipient carrying it forward.
For Jack, Diane, and their family, honoring Amber has never simply been about remembering her—it has been about carrying her forward. Their dedication continues to create opportunities and ensure that Amber’s life makes a meaningful difference for generations of Saints.
Emerging Leader Award
Established in 2021, the Emerging Leader Award is given to an alum who graduated in the last 15 years in recognition of a commitment to excellence in post-collegiate life and a significant or ongoing commitment to extraordinary work, research, volunteerism, or service to Thomas More University. Congratulations to James (Jimmy) Beatrice ’13.
Jimmy is a part of the Beatrice’s family third generation, joining Business Benefits in ’15 as an Account Representative. Prior to joining Business Benefits, Jimmy graduated from Thomas More College with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and gained experience in processing insurance claims as a pharmacy technician. He later transitioned into a Benefit Advisory role in ’17 to serve businesses across Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. Known for his industry knowledge, dedication, and responsiveness, Jimmy is a trusted advisor.
He is also an active community leader, having served on multiple NKY Chamber committees. Most of his involvement through the NKY Chamber was with NKYP, holding multiple leadership roles including Chair of NKYP and Vice Chair to the Chamber Board of Directors for NKYP in ’23 and ’24. Jimmy graduated from Leadership Northern Kentucky in ’20 and was a finalist for NKYP’s Next Generation Leadership Awards in ’25. Jimmy is also involved with multiple non-for-profit organizations in the community. Most recently he started serving as the Board Chair for the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky in Covington as of July of this year.
Jimmy also loves spending time with his friends and family, especially wife Denae, one year old daughter Amelia, and his dog Bo and cat Leo. Jimmy also enjoys movies, sports, hiking outdoors, and cooking.
All 2026 Alumni Award honorees will be recognized at the 2026 Alumni Awards, taking place from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, 2025 in Ziegler Auditorium on Thomas More’s campus. The Alumni Awards are presented as part of the 2026 Homecoming celebration. CLICK HERE to learn more and secure a ticket for the event.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.