Just look at the previous recipients of the award, she told attendees at the Alumni Day lunch Feb. 19: 2016’s Gilbert Tuhabonye (’01), an inspirational speaker, author, running coach and philanthropist; and 2015’s Dr. Kent (’03) and Amber (Carroll ’06) Brantly, known for their work combating the Ebola virus in West Africa. Kent Brantly appeared on the cover of Time magazine and on NBC’s The Today Show.
“The Today Show hasn’t called me,” Buchholtz joked as she accepted the award. “I sit in meetings and manage people all day.”
The chief of staff for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department does a bit more than that, as was clear from who came to pay tribute to her at the ceremony: Jeffrey S. Boyd (’83), justice on the Texas Supreme Court. The two worked together in Texas Governor Rick Perry’s office before Buchholtz moved to the justice department, where she serves as an advocate for the department’s employees who work with the children in the juvenile system.
Buchholtz became emotional as she accepted her award and took time to thank those who have mentored her along the way, including her father, Gary Thornton (’72), former Trustee and ACU professor of journalism; former chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court Jack Pope (’34); and Dr. Gary (’64) and Sylvia (Ravanelli ’67) McCaleb.
“This award today is really not about me at all,” she said. “It’s a reflection of my world, my circle of love. I am grateful that God surrounds me with people who influence me and who mold me and who practice great patience with me and try and shepherd me. I am the product of the influences of some really exceptional people.”
The Vanderpools flew in from Haiti for the event at ACU’s Hunter Welcome Center. They were joined by their three adult children: David (’10), who spoke about his mother; John Mark; and Jacklyn. The couple were junior high sweethearts, Laurie said, and planned to be medical missionaries from a young age. David’s time as a pre-health major at ACU helped set him on the path to where he is today, he said.
“Being surrounded by people at Abilene Christian University was a true iron-sharpening-iron experience,” David Vanderpool said. “So much of where we are in life is because we went to a Christian university that emphasized taking care of others. And how better to take care of someone than to share the Gospel with them and allow them to share in abundant life?”
Before the award presentation, ACU president Dr. Phil Schubert (’91) reflected on his time spent at the LiveBeyond compound in 2016.
“I spent a week alongside David and Laurie and other ACU alumni, serving the poorest of the poor in an often unforgiving land,” Schubert said. “It was a powerful, emotional, challenging and uplifting experience. And it was a blessing for me to be able to see David and Laurie in action, dedicating their lives to caring for the oppressed. They are a light in the darkness, and through them so many have come to know what it means to be loved unconditionally. They have come to know God.”
The Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award honors timely recognition of lifetime achievement that brings honor to the university through personal and professional excellence and service to the university, church or community. The Young Alumnus of the Year recognizes professional achievement and/or distinguished service to ACU. To be eligible, a recipient must not be more than 40 years of age at the time of selection.
Make alumni award nominations here and learn more about past recipients.
