Eight Monarchs Recognized at Alumni Honors Dinner
October 28, 2019
The 2019 honorees are, from left: James W. Nicholson, Halah M. Eldoseri, Shareese N. Grant, Robert A. "Bootie" Barker III, Gerald R. Lee, Cecelia Tucker and Kenneth E. Ampy. Not pictured: Carlos S. Mendes.
The Old Dominion University Alumni Association recognized eight distinguished Monarchs at its annual Alumni Honors dinner Friday night at The Main in the Hilton Norfolk.
The Alumni Association recognized Robert A. "Bootie" Barker III '96, engineer, Leavine Family Racing; and Halah M. Eldoseri '12 Ph.D., Scholar in Residence at the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice, New York University School of Law.
The Honorary Alumni Award, given in recognition of outstanding and meritorious service, was presented to Cecelia "Cee Cee" Tucker, ODU's director of community relations.
Kenneth E. Ampy '90, CEO of Astyra Corporation, was the Jack Frost Alumni Service Award winner.
Also recognized were the ODU Sports Hall of Fame inductees: Shareese N. Grant '04, women's basketball; Carlos S. Mendes '19, men's soccer; Gerald R. Lee '10, men's basketball; and James W. Nicholson '11, wrestling.
Barker, a former crew chief in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, received the Distinguished Alumni Award. He has worked for Ashton Lewis, Bill Davis Racing, Jasper Motorsports, Hendrick Motorsports and Germain Racing. He has a degree in mechanical engineering.
Eldoseri, recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award, is a scholar of gender and health policy from Saudi Arabia. She holds a Master of Science in medical biochemistry and molecular biology and a Doctor of Philosophy in health services research, focusing on the prevalence of intimate partner violence against women and its health implications. She has worked as a medical scientist, lecturer and consultant of health research in Saudi Arabia.
Tucker, who has served as assistant to the president for community relations at Old Dominion since 1991, has devoted herself to improving relationships among the races. At ODU, she undertakes a wide variety of activities, especially for and with the minority and African- American communities of Hampton Roads.
Ampy is responsible for the Astyra Corporation's overall leadership, culture and vision. A five-time gubernatorial appointee, he serves on the board of the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV), as chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee and is in his second term on the Virginia Biotech Research Park Authority Board. He served two terms on the ODU Board of Visitors.
Grant (2001-05) was a Kodak honorable mention All-American and was named the Colonial Athletic Association tournament MVP three straight years, the first CAA player to achieve that feat. She finished with 1,447 points and 376 assists. She averaged 15.1 points per game as a senior and was a two-time All-CAA performer. She helped lead the Monarchs to four straight NCAA tournaments, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2002. Grant graduated with a degree in physical education.
Mendes (1998-01) was a three-time CAA first-teamer and was the CAA Rookie of the Year. He led the Monarchs to a pair of CAA regular-season titles and was twice named first-team all-region. He ranks third on ODU's career record book with 25 assists and scored 11 goals as a defender. Mendes played professionally for 15 years, including eight years in Major League Soccer.
A two-time first-team All-CAA and two-time first-team National Association of Basketball All-District honoree, Lee (2006-10) finished with 1,624 points and 670 rebounds. He helped propel the Monarchs to the 2010 CAA championship, winning tournament MVP honors. That team defeated Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA tournament. He was ODU's Co-Male Athlete of the Year and Tom Scott Award recipient in 2010. He played professionally in the Israeli Premier League. Lee graduated with a degree in physical education with a concentration in sport management.
Nicholson (2006-11) became ODU wrestling's first two-time All-American in 29 years, earning honors as a freshman in 2008 and as a senior in 2011. He is tied for the most wins in ODU history with 138 and was twice named the CAA Wrestler of the Year.
