HispanicBusiness

The Fogelman College of Business and Economics hosted its annual alumni appreciation luncheon on Tuesday, celebrating some of the school's most distinguished graduates and honoring a longtime supporter.

At the program, held at the Holiday Inn at the University of Memphis, Kemmons Wilson Jr. was recognized for his years of patronage to the college. Son of the founder of the Holiday Inn hotel chain, Wilson is an entrepreneur and has done much to promote FCBE, said Dr. Rajiv Grover, dean of FCBE.

In addition, Marvin Ellison, who graduated in 1989 and is executive vice president of Home Depot, was named Outstanding Alumnus. Summer Owens, who earned a degree in 2001 and is a senior marketing specialist at FedEx, was named Outstanding Young Alumna.

Keynote speaker was Bill Courtney, entrepreneur and volunteer Manassas High School football coach who was profiled in the Academy Award-winning documentary "Undefeated."

"This has been our best program ever, with an engaging and inspiring program by Bill Courtney, who is inspiring people to start serving in order to lead," Grover said. "Our award winners exemplify that kind of thinking and action and attributed their success to faith, family and hard work."