Nominations open for 2026 Alumni Awards

Planning for Alumni Weekend 2026 is already underway, and Augusta University is seeking nominations for Distinguished Alumni and Outstanding Young Alumni (under age 40), which are traditionally presented during Alumni Weekend events.

Past alumni honorees include Lori Bolgla, PhD, a tenured professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and the College of Allied Health Sciences’ Kellett Chair in Allied Health Sciences, and Amy Richardson, president and chief executive officer of Richardson Professional Solutions. Both were recognized in April during Alumni Weekend 2025.

Bolgla is a double Jaguar who completed her bachelor’s (’93) and master’s (’98) degrees in physical therapy at the Medical College of Georgia before receiving a PhD from the University of Kentucky. Additional honors include earning the Augusta University Boundless Teaching Award in 2020 and the College of Allied Health Sciences Distinguished Service Award in 2023. Her research, spanning over 20 years, focuses on managing patellofemoral pain, also known as “runner’s knee,” including identifying biomechanical factors, optimizing treatment strategies and exploring the links between early-adulthood patellofemoral pain and the onset of osteoarthritis in later years. Bolgla also serves as the president of the College of Allied Health Sciences Alumni Board.

“I was very humbled,” Bolgla said about receiving the Distinguished Alumni award. “I’m not really an emotional person, but it was really kind of emotional to have all these people there who have such belief in you. It’s nice to be recognized by your peers. I think that’s the best, most important form of recognition.”

Richardson, another double Jaguar, received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting (’16) and a Master of Business Administration (’17) from Augusta University’s James M. Hull College of Business. After completing her MBA, she served as the business engagement coordinator for the college, acting as a liaison and representative for over three years. In early 2020, Richardson transitioned from higher education to entrepreneurship, launching Richardson Professional Solutions, a firm based in Augusta that supports small businesses, nonprofits and family estates nationwide. She is actively involved in her community, serving on the Leadership Columbia County Steering Committee with the Columbia County Chamber, the Augusta University Summerville Alumni Society board, the leadership team of her local Business Networking International chapter, the board of the Augusta-Aiken chapter of the Project Management Institute and as a Chapter Success Coach for the Augusta-area BNI Community.

“Being chosen as the 2025 Outstanding Young Alum for the Hull College of Business is a great honor in itself but is also a testament to showing up, staying engaged and giving back without the expectation of receiving,” said Richardson. “As a previous student, a previous Hull College staff member, an engaged alumna and now a Summerville Alumni Society board member, I find myself filled with a great amount of organizational citizenship toward Augusta University.”

Each college’s alumni society board selects its recipients based on their outstanding contributions to their profession, positive impact in their community and dedication to their alma mater. The exceptional alumni are highlighted and celebrated during Alumni Weekend, set for April 24-26, 2026. Nominations are open to faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the institution.

If you know someone you would like to see honored as a Distinguished Alumni or an Outstanding Young Alumni, please submit your nominations by Sept. 1.

A complete list of last year’s alumni award winners can be found on the Distinguished Alumni and Outstanding Young Alumni Awards page.

For questions, contact Alumni Engagement at 706-737-1759 or via email.