The University of Louisville and Louisville Alumni proudly announce the recipients of the 2026 Wilson Wyatt Alumni Awards, the highest honor bestowed by Louisville Alumni.
For more than four decades, these prestigious awards have recognized distinguished graduates whose professional achievements, leadership, service and commitment to their communities reflect the very best of the Cardinal spirit.
“These awards honor an extraordinary group of Cardinals whose influence extends far beyond our campus,” said President Gerry Bradley. “This year’s honorees include nationally recognized business leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, public servants, military veterans and community advocates. From Chris and Lisa Dischinger’s transformational work in affordable housing and community development to Jeff Brohm’s leadership of our football program, each recipient reflects the innovation, service and excellence that defines the University of Louisville and inspires future generations of Cardinals.”
The 2026 Wilson Wyatt Alumni Awards honorees include:
Alumni of the Year
Chris ’90 and Lisa Dischinger ’11
Chris and Lisa Dischinger are co-founders of LDG Development. The Louisville-based company launched in 1994 to create quality, affordable housing and is now one of the nation’s largest affordable-housing developers. Married 38 years, they’ve built a family and a business rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a quality place to live.
Throughout his career, Chris has been a leader within the real estate industry and community. He has served as president of four different trade organizations, including as national president of the Society of Exchange, as well as serving on the Endeavor Louisville board, a high-impact entrepreneurship movement in Kentucky and Indiana catalyzing long-term economic growth through mentorship and support of regional entrepreneurs.
Lisa has played an instrumental role in shaping LDG’s mission and culture. Her early work managing its single-family home portfolio gave her direct insight into the challenges faced by families experiencing poverty – and inspired her to establish robust resident services that support families living at LDG communities and are focused on improving health and education outcomes. Key initiatives include onsite food pantries, after-school and summer camps focused on designed to improve school readiness and reading scores, and violence prevention programming.
Lisa also champions the benefits of early childhood education through her Rita June Foundation. This 501(c) philanthropic charity she founded raised over $10 million to support the construction of three Bezos Academies.
Alumni Fellows – Schools & Colleges
- College of Arts & Sciences – Michael G. Sullivan ’94, ’11
- College of Business – Jeff Brohm ’96
- School of Dentistry – Jim ’65 and Virginia Woodward ’71
- College of Education & Human Development – Debbie Akers Ford ’87, ’96
- Graduate School – Daniel J. Cox ’74, ’77
- Kent School of Social Work & Family Science – Marcia Colone ’82
- Brandeis School of Law – Robert Mattingly ’99
- University Libraries – Kenneth A. Dennis ’69, ’73
- School of Medicine – Francesca Rinaldo ’13, ’15
- School of Music – Lorenzo Trujillo ’03
- School of Nursing – Dale R. Pike ’78, ’80
- B. Speed School of Engineering – Frank J. Diebold ’73
- School of Public Health & Information Sciences – Connie S. Mendel ’20
- Student Affairs Legacy Award – Welby E. Edwards ‘69
Signature Award Honorees
- Emerging Leader Award – Angel McCoughtry ’09
- Inclusive Excellence Award – Jennifer K. Adams-Tucker ’06
- Military Alumni Award – Gene Forrest Price ’80, ’88
- Alumni Ambassador Award – Michael Davis ’84
Among this year’s honorees are two of the most celebrated athletes in University of Louisville history. Emerging Leader Award recipient Angel McCoughtry remains the all-time leading scorer in Louisville women’s basketball history and went on to achieve international success as a two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion.
College of Business Alumni Fellow Jeff Brohm starred as quarterback for the Cardinals before embarking on a successful coaching career. Today, he serves as head football coach at his alma mater, leading Louisville’s resurgence on the national stage while strengthening connections among generations of Cardinals.
The 2026 honorees will be recognized during the annual Wilson Wyatt Alumni Awards ceremony on Oct. 29 as part of UofL Homecoming Week festivities on Belknap Campus.
