Friends University presented Earnest Alexander and Jim Nagy with the Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. The award recognizes outstanding contributions made by alumni whose personal and professional accomplishments are exemplary of the ideals and values of the University, including respect, inclusion, service and excellence.
Earnest Alexander, 1979 graduate
Born in Selma, Ala., Earnest Alexander and his six siblings were raised by his mom, a single parent who worked hard to lovingly provide for her children. During high school, Earnest received many awards, including being named as the representative from Connecticut for a national competition called “American Youth Performs.” As a result, he performed at Carnegie Hall.
He came to Kansas and first studied at Butler County Community College and then at Friends University. He traveled with the Singing Quakers and toured much of the United States. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance, he traveled with the Continental Orchestra throughout the United States and the Caribbean. Earnest has maintained a very close relationship with Dr. Cecil Riney and his wife, Verna, as well as many others from the Friends community.
Earnest has devoted his life to serving the Lord and reaching out to troubled and at-risk children. He is currently the president of Youth Horizons. Earnest has mentored many young people himself, serving as a father figure in many cases. He has taken several boys into his personal home when they had nowhere else to turn. He even adopted two of them, Paul Alexander and Ty Singleterry, both now adults. Many of the children with whom he has worked are now adults with families who are following Earnest’s example and are mentoring other young people.
In addition to his work with young people, Earnest continues to travel extensively throughout the country and overseas, performing concerts at churches, schools and civic functions. Through his music and words, Earnest shares the love of Christ as well as his calling to help young people. He challenges others to strive for a closer walk with Christ and to get involved in the lives of young people.
Jim Nagy, 1977 graduate
Jim Nagy is executive vice president of GM Financial-International Operations with responsibility for numerous global functions. He has been employed by the General Motors captive finance entity for more than 37 years. Jim has held numerous leadership roles in North America, Europe, South America and Mexico.
He was born and raised just outside Chicago in Evergreen Park, Ill., and was a standout basketball and baseball player recruited by Friends University to play both sports. Jim participated in many activities during his college days, including bit parts in theatrical events. He played on some very successful teams and was later individually named to the Friends University Athletic Hall of Fame. In the academic realm, he received a Murdock Scholarship for being outstanding within his subject area of sociology, in which he later earned a bachelor of arts degree.
When he is not traveling the globe, Jim enjoys spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren. He also loves tinkering around on the collection of cars he has amassed. Jim’s philosophy is “it is better to give than receive.” He continues to demonstrate this each day as he volunteers and supports many charities in addition to his church. He has worked with Special Olympics, United Way, and Junior Achievement to name a few. Jim served as president of the Board of Escuela Campo Alegre in Caracas, Venezuela.