Christian Service Award – Kristen Cupples

For Kristen Cupples, a life of Christian service was never about a single defining moment, it was about a steady, faithful “yes.”

After graduating from King, that “yes” took shape in an unexpected way. Rather than stepping immediately into graduate school, the journey began with a six-month discipleship program through Youth with A Mission (YWAM). It was there, in a season of listening and growth, that God began to clarify a calling not through certainty, but through surrender. Without many examples of full-time ministry to follow, the decision required trust. But over time, that trust became conviction: saying yes to God is always the right place to be.

Today, that calling is lived out daily through ministry with high school students. Investing in the lives of young people, especially student-athletes and coaches, has become both mission and ministry. It is not confined to a title or setting, but instead expressed through relationships, mentorship, and discipleship walking alongside students during some of the most formative years of their lives.

The foundation for this work was shaped in meaningful ways during her time at King. Influences like Coach Josh Thompson instilled discipline, perseverance, and a deep sense of purpose, lessons first learned on the basketball court that now carry into ministry. That same work ethic and commitment continue to guide how Cupples serves others today.

Like any calling, the journey has not been without challenge. One of the most profound has been learning to surrender comfort and let go of entitlement, choosing instead a posture of humility and dependence on God. It is a daily process of growth, shaped by prayer and a desire to live with an eternal perspective.

And yet, in the midst of that refining, there have been powerful moments of impact. One such moment came in 2020 with the launch of a youth group in Waikoloa on the Big Island of Hawaii. What began as a step of faith has continued to grow, an enduring reminder that God is at work far beyond what we can see in the moment.

At the heart of it all is a simple but profound mission: to live in daily obedience, to disciple others while continuing to be discipled, and to trust fully in God’s provision. Time and again, His faithfulness has been evident, especially in ways both practical and deeply personal.

For students who may feel a similar calling, the message is clear: don’t resist it. Lean in. Trust fully. A surrendered “yes” can lead to places far greater than imagined.

Through her work and witness, Kristen Cupples embodies what it means to live out the Great Commission not in grand gestures alone, but in faithful, everyday obedience that continues to impact lives for generations.

Distinguished Alumni Award – Dr. Melissa Cooley (‘00)

If there is one theme that defines Dr. Melissa Cooley’s journey, it is this: the path may not always look as planned, but it will always be purposeful.

A summa cum laude graduate of King College in 2000 and recipient of the prestigious R.T.L. Liston Award, Dr. Cooley seemed poised for a seamless next step into medical school. But when acceptance didn’t come that year, her journey took an unexpected turn that would ultimately become one of the most formative seasons of her life.

That detour led her to Memphis, Tennessee, where she joined a program at the Church Health Center. What wasn’t part of the original plan became a gift: a year of growth, independence, and discovery. In a new city, she built community, deepened her faith, and prepared for what lay ahead. The following year, she entered medical school, this time with clarity, confidence, and a broadened perspective.

It was also in Memphis where she met her husband, Keith, a partnership that would become one of the greatest blessings of her life. Together, they navigated the demands of medical training, marriage, and ultimately residency at Indiana University, where Dr. Cooley pursued a combined program in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, another unexpected but defining decision.

Though she once imagined building a life outside of Tennessee, God had other plans. A job opportunity in East Tennessee drew her back home, where she joined Tennessee Valley Primary Care in Jefferson City. Seventeen years later, she remains a dedicated physician and partner in the practice, now focusing on outpatient care. Through constant change in the healthcare landscape, one thing has remained steady: her deep conviction that she is exactly where she is meant to be.

Dr. Cooley’s impact extends far beyond clinical care. A double board-certified physician and Fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics, she has been recognized for excellence in patient care, mentorship, and leadership, including honors such as the Riley Hospital “Red Shoes Award,” Preceptor of the Year by the Tennessee Association of Physician Assistants, and national recognition for advancing women in medicine.

Yet, when asked what she is most proud of, her answer reflects something deeper: her family. Together, she and Keith are raising three children, balancing the demands of a medical career with the joys and challenges of everyday life. Success, as she defines it today, is found not only in professional achievement, but in showing up at work, at home, and for the people who depend on her.

Her time at King played a pivotal role in shaping that mindset. Initially hesitant to fully engage, it was only after stepping outside her comfort zone, auditioning for campus plays and embracing new experiences, that she found her place. That willingness to adapt and grow became a hallmark of her life and career.

Faith has been the thread weaving it all together. From the uncertainty of post-graduation plans to the daily complexities of patient care, Dr. Cooley has learned to trust God’s timing over her own. That trust is evident in how she serves. Whether through compassionate patient interactions, praying with those facing difficult diagnoses, or mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

In her work, she sees the full picture of people’s lives. The medical needs, yes, but also the social and emotional challenges that often accompany them. Through collaboration with her husband and community resources, she has found meaningful ways to extend care beyond the clinic walls, embodying a holistic approach to service.

For today’s students, her advice is both simple and profound: be flexible. Be willing to pivot when life doesn’t go according to plan. Growth often comes in the unexpected places, and sometimes, the very things we resist become the paths that shape us most.

Through her life and career, Dr. Melissa Cooley exemplifies what it means to live out King’s mission by pursuing excellence, serving others, and walking faithfully into a calling that continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of countless individuals and families.

Legacy Award – The Greeson-Hudson Family

For the Greeson-Hudson family, the story of King University is not told in a single chapter, rather it is a legacy written across generations, woven together by faith, service, and an enduring commitment to others.

That legacy begins with Mildred B. Greeson, whose influence on King extended far beyond her role as Director of Financial Aid. Known for her quiet but powerful leadership, Mildred embodied what it meant to serve “through action rather than words.” Her care for students and the campus community left a lasting imprint, one recognized by the prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. Alongside her, Robert “Bob” D. Greeson, Jr. contributed to the daily life of the university as bookstore manager, creating a welcoming presence for generations of students. Together, they established not just a connection to King, but a foundation rooted in faith, humility, and service.

That foundation would shape each generation that followed.

Suzanne Greeson Hudson, a 1985 graduate, carried forward both a love for King and a heart for service through her work on campus in Admissions, the Dean’s Office, and the President’s Office. Her time at King was not only professional but deeply personal, formed through experiences in musical theatre and choir that would later influence her involvement in church creative arts. Her husband, Dr. Brady “Lee” Hudson, Jr., a 1990 alumnus, extended the family’s impact into the field of clinical psychology, dedicating his career to serving individuals and communities through mental health care and public service partnerships.

Their daughter, Sarah Hudson Brobeck, continued the tradition, earning both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from King. Today, she leads with purpose as a CEO, committed to developing others and strengthening organizations—an embodiment of King’s mission in action.

In parallel, Robert Scott Greeson’s journey reflects the breadth of a King education. Beginning in the King Fellow program and continuing through a dual-degree path in physics and engineering, he credits the university’s liberal arts foundation with shaping not just his technical expertise, but his perspective. That perspective has come full circle through mentoring King student interns, investing in the next generation just as others once invested in him. His daughter, Laura Thomas, a 2020 graduate and Alpha Chi leader, represents the continuation of that legacy through academic excellence and public service in the Bristol community.

Across each generation, the threads remain consistent: faith, education, service, integrity, and responsibility. These values were first modeled in the life of Mildred and have been reinforced through every classroom, career path, and calling that followed.
King has not simply been a place the Greeson-Hudson family attended. It has been a place that shaped who they are. It strengthened their belief that education and faith are not separate pursuits, but deeply connected. It instilled the importance of ethical leadership, compassionate service, and a commitment to community that extends far beyond campus.

Though time and distance have made physical connection to King less frequent in recent years, the family’s impact remains evident in the students mentored, the communities served, and the lives influenced through their work. From healthcare and engineering to human resources, ministry, and public service, each member of the Greeson-Hudson family reflects King’s mission in distinct and meaningful ways.

To be part of a King legacy family, they share, is to belong to something living and lasting, a tradition where education is not just an achievement, but a calling. It is a commitment to lead with integrity, to serve with compassion, and to invest in others with the same care that once shaped them.

Looking ahead, their hope for future generations is simple yet profound: that they will continue to see education, faith, and service as inseparable and that they will carry forward the understanding that true leadership is measured not by position, but by consistency, humility, and heart.

For families considering their own connection to King, the Greeson-Hudson story offers a powerful reminder: when values align and community takes root, a college experience can become something far greater—it can become a legacy.

Volunteer of the Year Award – Dr. Pat and Beth Flannagan

For Pat and Beth Flannagan, service isn’t something they schedule, it’s something they live.

Rooted in a deep and abiding faith, their commitment to volunteering flows from a simple belief: each person is called to serve. For the Flannagans, that calling has taken shape in quiet, consistent, and deeply impactful ways, particularly through their longstanding connection to King University and the greater Bristol community.

King has long held a special place in their lives. As former students, they experienced firsthand a campus culture where relationships mattered, where faculty invested in students not just academically, but personally and spiritually. That model of mentorship left a lasting impression. Later, when Pat returned to King as a faculty member, he and Beth intentionally extended that same spirit of hospitality, opening their home to students and creating spaces for connection that went far beyond the classroom. Even now, those relationships endure evidence of the lasting impact of simply showing up for others.

In this season of life, retirement has given the Flannagans something they value deeply: time. And they have chosen to spend it in service.

Much of their volunteer work centers around their church and King, but their reach extends throughout the community. Whether supporting the Bristol Emergency Food Bank, contributing to the Marsh Regional Blood Center, or engaging with the Bristol Music Club, Pat and Beth have consistently invested in organizations that meet real needs and bring people together.

One of their most meaningful experiences came during a campus cleanup initiative at King. Assigned to begin work inside Liston Hall after students had departed for the summer, they joined a team going room by room clearing out what had been left behind, cleaning surfaces, and preparing the space for what would come next. It was simple, hands-on work, but it carried deeper meaning. Being inside the residence hall offered a tangible reminder of both the university’s needs and its potential, and reinforced their desire to continue giving back in whatever ways they could.

For the Flannagans, the impact of their service isn’t measured in outcomes or recognition. Instead, they focus on what matters most: creating opportunities for connection. They understand that at the heart of every act of service is a deeper human need, the need for community. And sometimes, all it takes is an invitation.

Through years of serving, they’ve learned that community doesn’t just happen, it’s cultivated. It grows when people are welcomed, encouraged, and given a place to belong. And perhaps most importantly, they’ve seen how service itself can be contagious. When one person steps in to help, others often follow, and in that shared effort, something meaningful is built.

Their individual passions also reflect that same commitment. Beth’s involvement with a local women’s organization, PEO, which supports educational opportunities for women and offers scholarships, while Pat’s work with the Bristol Music Club helps nurture the next generation of musicians. Together, their efforts reflect a shared belief in investing in others whether through education, the arts, or simple acts of care.

When asked what service means to them, their answer is refreshingly straightforward, to “look for a need and step into it.”

It’s advice they offer freely to others encouraging people not to wait, not to overthink, but to simply begin. Because in serving, something powerful happens. Connections are formed, purpose is discovered, and community comes to life.

Through their faithfulness, humility, and unwavering willingness to serve, Pat and Beth Flannagan embody the very heart of this award. Their lives are a testament to the idea that the most meaningful impact often comes not from grand gestures, but from a lifetime of quiet, consistent generosity.

Young Alumni Achievement Award – David Cody Johnson

For the Young Alumni Achievement Award recipient, success has never been defined by rank, recognition, or lines on their resume. Rather, it has been defined by people.

Since graduating from King University, David Cody Johnson’s career in law enforcement has been marked by steady advancement and a deepening commitment to service. From his promotion to Police Sergeant, to stepping into leadership as an interim Police Chief, and now serving as a Special Agent and Criminal Investigator for Virginia’s Office of Law Enforcement Services, each chapter reflects both professional excellence and a growing responsibility to lead and protect. Along the way, his dedication has been recognized through honors including a life-saving award, Officer of the Year, and recognition from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Yet, when asked what he is most proud of, his answer points not to awards, but to impact.

In a profession often focused on metrics, such as arrests made, cases closed, and more. Cody has chosen to focus on something deeper: relationships. For him, the true measure of success is found in the moments that don’t make headlines. The conversations that de-escalate a crisis, the trust built with a community member, the guidance offered to a young person in need of direction. These are the moments that define his work and fuel his passion. At its core, he sees law enforcement not just as a career, but as a calling to serve.

That perspective was strengthened during his time at King. Through the university’s flexible academic environment, he was able to continue serving full-time while furthering his education, engaging in meaningful dialogue, expanding his understanding of leadership, and refining the philosophy behind his work. King provided not only knowledge, but the opportunity to grow intentionally, both as a professional and as a person.

Like many young leaders, his journey has not been without challenges. Early in his career, he was tasked with leading a diverse team of officers across generations, each with different perspectives and experiences. Rather than imposing authority, he chose to lead with humility. By listening, building relationships, and inviting collaboration, he fostered a culture of trust and mutual respect. In doing so, he not only strengthened his team, but created a shared vision for moving forward together.

Today, his impact extends beyond his own work into the development of others. As a Field Training Officer and instructor within the Department of Criminal Justice Services, he is actively shaping the next generation of law enforcement professionals. Mentorship, for him, is both a responsibility and a privilege, as well as an opportunity to invest in others just as others have invested in him.

At the center of it all is a strong foundation of faith and family. His faith guides how he leads—with humility, patience, and compassion, especially in the most difficult moments. It provides strength on challenging days and perspective in times of uncertainty. At home, his role as a husband and father remains his greatest priority. Together with his wife and two children, he is intentional about building a life rooted in love, balance, and shared experiences, believing that service to community begins with care for one’s own family.

Looking ahead, his vision is clear: to continue strengthening public safety while building lasting, positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. He is committed not only to protecting others, but to shaping a future where trust, respect, and service remain at the forefront of public safety.

For current students and young professionals, his advice is both honest and hopeful: life is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient. Take care of yourself. And above all, lead with purpose and heart. Because in the end, the greatest impact is not found in how fast you move, but in how faithfully you serve along the way.

Through his leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to others, this young alumnus represents the very best of King University and a future filled with purpose, service, and lasting impact.