Nine former students were honored as Distinguished Alumni Oct. 15 at Old Dominion University's annual Founders' Day luncheon. Kenneth R. Plum, a 1965 graduate and a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, delivered the luncheon address.

The luncheon program also included the presentation of two other awards: the Albert Brooks Gornto Jr. Regional Service Award to Vincent J. Mastracco Jr., a commercial partner with the Norfolk law firm Kaufman & Canoles, and the Town-N-Gown Community Service Award to A. Rufus '33 and Sara H. Tonelson '66 (M.S.Ed. '69), former students, employees and longtime supporters of Old Dominion.

The Gornto award was established in memory of "Buck" Gornto, a 1956 graduate of Old Dominion, former Board of Visitors member and longtime supporter of the university. It recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding commitment and service to Hampton Roads and the commonwealth.

The Town-N-Gown award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated unusual concern for and commitment to serving others. Recipients are also recognized for service to the community.

The following Old Dominion graduates were presented Distinguished Alumni awards:

R. Bruce Bradley (M.B.A. '78) - Bradley is the president and publisher of The Virginian-Pilot and in January 1999 assumed the additional title of president of Landmark Publishing Group. He has also held positions in marketing and advertising at the Greensboro News & Record and the Roanoke Times & World News.

He started his career with The Pilot in 1974 when he responded to a classified help wanted advertisement for a sales position.

W. Russell Corker '71 - Corker, since 1980, has been a partner with the law firm Shayne, Dachs, Stanisci, Corker & Sauer in Mineola, N.Y. He has practiced law in New York since 1974, when he received his juris doctorate from Boston University School of Law. He is president of the Nassau-Suffolk Trial Lawyers Association and chair of the Nassau County Bar Association Grievance Committee. Corker is a frequent lecturer.

Vice Adm. William J. Fallon (M.A. '82) - Fallon is Commander of the Second Fleet and commander of Striking Fleet Atlantic with the U.S. Navy. He was commissioned as a Navy officer in 1967 and began his Naval aviation service flying in the RA-5C Vigilante with a combat deployment to Vietnam. He served with Attack Squadrons and Carrier Air Wings for 24 years. His awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star.

Robert J. Kasdon '72 - Kasdon was named in 1996 as vice president of security management for Joseph E. Seagram & Sons Inc. in New York City. Seagram operates two global business segments spirits and wines, and entertainment and is the parent company of Universal. Previously, as a Secret Service agent, he served on the protective detail of President Reagan at the White House for five years and later became the agent in charge of the protective details for the wife and children of Vice President Al Gore.

Barbara Byrd Keenan '73 (M.S. '75) - Keenan is president of the Communication Associations Institute in Alexandria, Va. CAI serves more than 17,000 members representing the condominium and planned community industry, including association homeowner board members, managers, builders and developers, public officials, attorneys, real estate and insurance agents, and accountants. She has extensive experience consulting with associations and educational institutions.

Gregory A. Lumsden (M.B.A. '83) - Lumsden is managing director of loan originations for Countrywide Home Loans Inc., the nation's largest independent residential mortgage lender and servicer, and its parent company, Countrywide Credit Industries Inc. Countrywide's corporate headquarters are in Calabasas, Calif. Lumsden is responsible for the Consumer Markets and Wholesale Lending divisions for CHL and Full Spectrum Lending Inc., the subprime subsidiary of Countrywide Credit.

Michael W. Matthews '82 - Matthews was named in 1998 as president and CEO of Hankins and Anderson, a consulting engineering firm in Richmond, Va., that provides professional design services in mechanical, electrical, structural and civil engineering. The company has been ranked as the 26th largest among architectural and engineering firms in the state by Virginia Business Magazine. Much of his experience there has included work for the State Department and the Corps of Engineers.

Esther I. Wiggins '83 - Wiggins was appointed in 1998 as a Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court judge by the Arlington (Va.) Circuit Court. She became the first African-American prosecutor in Arlington in 1986, and was the first African-American judge to sit on the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court bench for the 17th Judicial Circuit. A native of Franklin, Va., Wiggins is active in many Arlington community events, including the Arlington Parenting Teen Program.

Rosemary Windsor '76 - Windsor is vice president, Olympic and corporate events, for UPS. She began her career at UPS in 1974 as a part-time clerical assistant. In 1998, she was given the added responsibilities of the Business Development Field Sales Support Group and the Sales Training Group. In her current capacity, she oversees the development and execution of UPS's global Olympic program. Her division also handles UPS corporate events involved with NFL and PGA sponsorships.