Four distinguished alumni were honored for exemplary careers and service during Homecoming 2023. These individuals are recognized for excellence in their profession and in their communities and for modeling the spirit of service and broadened perspective fostered by Austin College. A fifth alumnus and an Austin College faculty member were honored for service to the alumni community.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
Anissa Coss Centers ’93
Anissa Centers has had an award-winning career in broadcast journalism. She now works as a confidence coach, motivational speaker, and continues as a broadcast journalist in Tyler, Texas, at KLTV-TV. Centers has most recently served with the 1:3 Survivors Foundation, BeYouTiFul Girls Foundation and Longview Queens United.
Leigh Hiester ’90
Leigh Hiester is the principal at Foster Elementary/Foster Dual Language campus in Jeffco, Colorado, where she has overseen daily activities for the last 20 years. She is admired in her field because of game-changing work in dual-language instruction such as creating a pre-K through 8th grade Option School for Dual Language Students. Prior to her work at Foster, Hiester spent 10 years as a dual-language teacher in the classroom, in Texas and Colorado.
Carol A. Wiley Toll ’74
Carol Toll retired from a 40-year career in technology where she worked on the cutting edge as an innovator. She led teams to their goals by embracing the technological and cultural changes necessary for success. Toll serves at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas, and has volunteered for March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, and American Heart Association.
First Decade Award
Rizwan Rayaz Jagani ’15
Rizwan Jagani was presented with the First Decade Award, given to an outstanding young alumnus/alumna who exemplifies the qualities of scholarship and service in their lives and work within 10 years of graduating from Austin College. Jagani is an American violist of Indian/Pakistani heritage with an eclectic career ranging from orchestral to solo performance. He also works as an arranger, orchestrator, producer, and educator. He is an advocate for arts education and the pursuit of arts careers by South Asian people.
Heywood C. Clemons Volunteer Service Award
James T. Jarratt ’67
James Jarratt was presented the Heywood Clemons Volunteer Service Award, given to alumni or friends in honor of continued service and commitment to the College. Jarratt has served as an officer of the Austin College Alumni Association and is currently on the Board of Trustees. He is a proud Golden ’Roo and plays a significant role in keeping his class informed about College happenings. More than once, Jarratt has made cross-country trips to deliver Golden ’Roo medallions to those who could not come to campus for their celebrations. He also travels regularly statewide to be at alumni functions. Jarratt serves as mayor of Granbury, Texas.
Cindy Curtis Bean Service to Alumni Award
Patrick Duffey
Dr. Patrick Duffey was presented the Cindy Curtis Bean Service to Alumni Award, which honors a member of the faculty or staff who demonstrates extraordinary commitment to the support of alumni. Duffey joined the Spanish faculty in 1994 and has had significant influence on students in and out of the classroom. He has taught a wide variety of courses in Spanish language and Latin American literature. His nomination noted that he uplifts, encourages, and promotes the achievements of Austin College graduates long after they leave campus, following their victories and hurdles. The award is named for Cindy Curtis Bean ’75, who served many years in the College’s Alumni Office before retiring.