2025 Alumni Award Winners

Bruce and Michelle Brumfield are longtime supporters of the University of South Carolina. They truly embody the values of excellence, service to community, and lifelong learning. 

The Brumfields are both graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University. Bruce then went on to further his leadership expertise through the Executive Development Program at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. Bruce also holds an honorary doctorate degree from Newberry College in recognition of his professional accomplishments and dedication to community.

They relocated to South Carolina in 1988 when Bruce joined Founders Federal Credit Union, where he currently serves as CEO. Bruce has been in that role for 23 years, and under his leadership, Founders has grown to over $4.8 billion in assets.

Bruce and Michelle’s commitment to USC has been unwavering. They were involved as both of their children attended USC with their son, Peyton Brumfield, graduating in 2018 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, and their daughter Paige Brumfield Butts graduating in 2012 with a BS in Exercise Science and in 2015 with her Doctor of Physical Therapy. 

They have worked to support numerous initiatives of the university, ranging from academics, alumni efforts, networking opportunities and athletics. Most notably perhaps, as CEO of Founders Federal Credit Union, Bruce worked with USC Athletics to negotiate the naming rights of Founders Park, home of Carolina Baseball, over a decade ago. 

The Brumfields exemplify true leadership in strengthening the University of South Carolina and the greater community that defines us.     

Josh Dawsey is a political investigations and enterprise reporter for The Wall Street Journal and the co-author of the New York Times bestseller “2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America.” 

He most recently worked as a political enterprise and investigations reporter for The Washington Post. He joined the Post in 2017 and previously covered the White House. Josh was part of a team of journalists who won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2022 for the newspaper’s coverage of Jan. 6 and won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for the newspaper’s coverage of the role of the AR-15 in American life. He also is a two-time recipient of the White House Correspondents Association award for news reporting. He is also a lecturer at the Allbritton Journalism Institute. 

Josh is a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina and the enthusiastic owner of a rambunctious rescue dog named Pepper.

Jim Richardson is the Vice President of Army programs for L3Harris Technologies. Responsible for driving topline growth, leveraging complementary channels and capturing large, multi-year opportunities. Additionally, he supports L3Harris innovative business development strategy responsible for the integration and synchronization across multiple programs.

Before joining L3Harris, Jim was an accomplished senior executive whose service in the U.S. Army has afforded him four decades of applied leadership experience. Throughout his career, Jim was consistently at the cutting edge of historical shifts occurring in the Army landscape, where he established personal and professional relationships throughout the U.S. government, Industry, and leaders of academia.

Prior to working in the private sector, Jim served as the Deputy Commanding General and Acting Commanding General of Army Futures Command, a 4-star organization he designed. Jim oversaw eight cross-functional teams responsible for the Army’s 31 signature modernization efforts, the Army’s Artificial Intelligence Integration Center at Carnegie Mellon University, and the Army Application Lab in Austin, Texas, which revolutionized the way the Army interacts with nontraditional small businesses in the innovation marketplace. Through the implementation of Project Convergence—a technology experimentation and demonstration that highlights emerging technology—he drove experimentation that provided compelling data to inform future resourcing decisions.

He additionally oversaw all science & technology for the United States Army, directing a 25% increase in emerging technologies transitioned into tangible capabilities.

Jim enjoyed an impeccable career as a combat aviator. Of note, Jim was selected to be a Strategic Advisor to both the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army. He authored the most comprehensive reorganization of capability and materiel development since the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986. He successfully commanded Soldiers & Civilians from Battalion through 4 Star level command. Jim is a native of Myrtle Beach, SC and a graduate of the University of South Carolina and holds multiple graduate degrees.

Dr. Burgess is a certified family nurse practitioner (NP) and a retired distinguished clinical professor emeritus at the University of South Carolina College of Nursing.  She is a three-time alumna of USC, having received her BSN in 1975, MSN in 1983 and PhD in 2003. She has authored or co-authored over 100 peer reviewed articles and mentored over 3000 NP students in the clinical setting.  Previously, she served as an elected official school board Trustee and Board Chair to the Richland Two School Board 2004-2012, Past President for the SC Nurses Association, Past President for the SC Coalition for NP, and is currently the Vice President for the Coalition for Access to Health Care.  She has received numerous awards including the SC Nurse Practitioner of the Year twice, the SC Nurse Advocate of the Year, Palmetto Gold Award, ANA President’s Outstanding Leadership Award, USC College of Nursing Outstanding Alumni Award, the USC Amy V. Cockcroft Leadership Outstanding Alumni Award, USC College of Nursing Legacy Award, and the Sigma Theta Tau Lucy Marion Award, just to name a few. She is honored to receive the USC 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award!  

Over her career, she has positively influenced health policy changes for NP health care delivery to increase access to care and improve outcomes. These are evidenced by significant reform in over ten legislative/judicial changes for NPs and establishing 20 nurse practitioner-led medical practices saving taxpayers millions of dollars.  Her successful and sustainable model of health policy reform has received national and state recognition. Currently, she is practicing as an NP serving vulnerable populations.  She is the proud wife of Ed Burgess and the proud mom of Bryan (Stephanie) Burgess, proud mom of Bradley (Kelsey) Burgess, and the proud grandmother to Juliette, Carter, and Piper!  She is active in her church with the Grief Share Program and enjoys watercolor painting, spending time with Becca (her sweet Golden Doodle), shagging, working in her yard, and playing Pickleball.

As the City Manager of Columbia, South Carolina, Teresa Wilson stands as one of the few women in the nation to manage and lead a capital city—an achievement that speaks volumes about her vision, resilience, and transformative leadership. A native daughter of Columbia, Wilson is a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina—with Honors from the SC Honors College and degrees from the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences and the Joseph F. Rice School of Law. She has become a pioneering force, shaping the city’s growth through bold innovation, inclusive community development, and fiscal excellence. Her commitment to public safety led to the strategic revitalization of city operations, including her appointment of a strong and respected police chief, creation of the city’s first Emergency Management Director position, and alignment of neighborhood safety with quality of life initiatives. Her foresight in hiring Columbia’s first Chief Financial Officer and elevating financial integrity has resulted in Columbia earning the Government Finance Officers Association Award for Excellence for twelve consecutive years.

Wilson’s leadership during moments of crisis—most notably the historic 2015 flood— revealed a deep sense of duty and compassion as she coordinated recovery efforts with clarity and resolve. Equally passionate about economic empowerment and housing, she has championed initiatives that renew neighborhoods, increase homeownership, and build equity for working families. An active leader in state and national government associations and a graduate of prestigious leadership fellowships, Wilson is a Past President of the SC City and County Management Association, a Senior Executive Institute graduate, Liberty Fellow, Riley Fellow, and is the recipient of a remarkable list of accolades and awards. She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Steve and Teresa H. Wilson and the proud mother of Teresa Alexandria Florence, a 2025 graduate of the University of South Carolina with Honors from the SC Honors College.

Teresa Wilson is a visible and engaged presence in the community—from youth mentorship programs to civic celebrations. Her work exemplifies the power and promise of women in executive roles, where excellence, empathy, and accountability drive transformational change for all citizens.

Thomas S. Mullikin currently serves as Director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, where he functions as chief administrator responsible for the management and supervision of the agency’s five divisions. A distinguished environmental attorney, author, professor, and award-winning documentarian, Dr. Mullikin’s environmental and energy law practice has taken him to every continent on Earth representing numerous multinational corporate clients and the United Nations.

In his work with the UN, Mullikin has assisted in drafting chemical laws for the Republic of Moldova, reviewed and drafted recommendations for Sierra Leone’s proposed Constitution, and assessed legal best practices for the Maldives. He was recognized by the Fijian Permanent Secretary of Lands and Mineral Resources for leading a team of experts on behalf of the UNDPABA (United Nations Development Programme–American Bar Association) while serving as a liaison to the Fijian government in drafting expansive comments and recommendations for legislation aimed at protecting the Pacific Island nation’s rich mineral resources.

Dr. Mullikin has had an impressive military career, retiring in 2018 as Major General/Commander of the S.C. State Guard and President of the State Guard Association of the United States. He served as Special Assistant to Chief Prosecutor of Military Commissions, overseeing the trial of Khalid Sheik Mohammed and the four 9/11 co-defendants, and as an International Legal Officer and Trial Counsel with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps.

His military decorations include the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, U.S. Army Reserve Components Overseas Ribbon, Exceptional Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Medal of Merit, Commendation Medal, and the RAIDER-Rapid Assistance in Disaster & Emergency Relief Pin. He was a Certified U.S. Army Master Fitness Trainer and Self Defense Instructor (6th Degree Black Belt) and recognized as an Honorary Green Beret by Special Forces (S.C. Chapter). He was also awarded Airborne parachute jump badges from Germany, Serbia, Croatia, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the Royal Laotian Parachutist Badge.

In the academic realm, Dr. Mullikin served as a research professor at Coastal Carolina University (School of Coastal Environment), a professor of practice at the University of South Carolina (Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management), Adjunct Professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, and a visiting professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito – Galapagos campus. He also served as the Director of the Mullikin Institute for Environmental Law and Policy at Coastal Carolina University.

Dr. Mullikin was the founding chair of the gubernatorially established S.C. Floodwater Commission and served as a member of the S.C. Energy Advisory Council. He was co-chair of the International Environmental Law Committee of the American Bar Association, membership officer of LAWASIA Environmental Law Committee, and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He was chairman of Global Eco Adventures and director of the GAIAS Foundation, dedicated to raising awareness and support for research, inclusion, education, and cultural activities in the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon Basin.

To bring context to his work as a senior environmental attorney, Dr. Mullikin has studied environmental issues worldwide, logging certified SCUBA dives in every ocean on Earth and summiting more than 20 mountains across all continents. In recognition of his global environmental work, he has been inducted as a Fellow in the Explorers Club (New York) and in the Royal Geographical Society (London) and has been engaged as a “National Geographic Expert” with the National Geographic Society. As a sixth degree Black Belt, Mullikin has been inducted into the S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame, the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame, and International Martial Arts Hall of Fame (London).

In addition to his numerous awards and military decorations, Dr. Mullikin has received a commendation for heroic action from the State of South Carolina and is a recipient of the ORDER OF THE PALMETTO, South Carolina’s highest award presented by the state’s governor. Together with his wife, Virginia Ann, they received “National Civic Leader Parents of the Year” honors in 2019. They reside in Camden, S.C., and have four children: Mary Elizabeth, Alexandra (Tomlinson) and husband Brant, Thomas Jr. and wife Alicia, and Margaret Charles (Whitney) and husband Will. They also have five grandchildren: Anna Gibbs Tomlinson, Baylor Davis Tomlinson, William English Whitney IV, Thomas Stowe Mullikin III, and Charles Theodore Whitney.