Alumni Award Recipients: 2020-21

Columbia College alumni excel not only as supporters of their alma mater, but also as professionals in their careers and as citizens of their communities. Each year, a select few of these inspiring representatives are recognized for their accomplishments.

watch THE 2020-21 AWARDS presentation

Distinguished Alumni Award

For attaining outstanding regional recognition in one’s chosen career field

Victor Ciardelli ’89

Victor Ciardelli is being honored for achieving national recognition in his field and rendering service to Columbia College and his community. Ciardelli graduated from the Columbia College Day Program in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He has used his education to create what has become one of the largest independent retail-mortgage companies in the United States. Along with serving as President and CEO of Guaranteed Rate since 2000, Ciardelli also remains committed to his community. Since its 2012 inception, the Guaranteed Rate Foundation has donated nearly $2.5 million to families and their communities in times of hardship or unexpected need.

Professional Achievement Award

For attaining outstanding success in one’s chosen field

Donna Osborne Bradley ’11

Donna Osborne Bradley is being honored for attaining outstanding success in her chosen career field. In addition to earning a master’s degree in criminal justice from Columbia College-St. Louis in 2011, Bradley holds bachelor’s degrees from Brown University and the United Theological Seminary, as well as a doctorate from Howard University School of Law. Her extensive resume includes more than 20 years of experience as an attorney and educator, including her current role as vice president of Academic Affairs at Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois. She continues to teach human resource management and criminal justice courses to graduate and undergraduate students at multiple colleges, including Columbia College. Bradley has also impacted countless lives by serving an inner-city ministry for 16 years and working as the education and outreach coordinator at St. Louis Metropolitan Equal Housing and Opportunity Council.

Community Service Award

For demonstrating outstanding leadership and service to the citizens of one’s community

Virginia Zimmerley Stewart ’76

Virginia Zimmerley Stewart is being honored for her contributions to the Columbia, Missouri, community. She graduated from the Columbia College Evening Program in 1976 with a human services degree in individual studies and has served as a longtime volunteer in the community alongside her husband, former University of Missouri basketball coach Norm Stewart. In 2014, the couple founded the Virginia and Norman Stewart Cancer Center at Boone Hospital Center. The Stewart Cancer Center benefits more than just the multi-million dollar inpatient treatment unit on the sixth floor of the hospital’s south tower. The moniker supports every cancer-related service the hospital offers, such as community outreach, screening and surgery. The Center unites a diverse group of Boone Hospital doctors, staff and caregivers. In Virginia’s words: “It’s about being able to teach people that it’s so much easier to be screened than to have to go through that horrible disease.”

Jane Froman Courage Award

For displaying a spirit of courage in daily life

Pat Hagenbuch ’62

Pat Hagenbuch is being honored for demonstrating perseverance to overcome personal obstacles while continuing to better herself personally or professionally and for displaying a spirit of courage in daily life. Hagenbuch graduated from Christian College in 1962. She is co-owner of her family’s business, Philippi-Hagenbuch, Inc., a company with a worldwide reputation – with equipment in more than 40 countries – for manufacturing custom off-highway haulage solutions. Early in her career, it was difficult for women to be recognized as business owners. Hagenbuch overcame the challenges that came with collecting money from customers, as well as resistance when approaching banks for loans and lines of credit, to become a respected leader in the industry.