Celebrating Newest Alumni Award Winners

Seattle University is excited to announce the 2027 Alumni Award winners, including the latest inductees into the Athletics Hall of Fame. These individuals represent the best of Seattle University with exceptional leadership, service to the university and community, a commitment to care, excellence, diversity and justice and an alignment with SU’s Jesuit values. This year’s recipients are:   
 
Alumna of the Year: Ruth Tressel, ’84  
Outstanding Recent Alumna: Iram Jafry, ’17 MBA 
University Service: Richard Wood, ’99 
Professional Achievement: James (Jim) Lyons, ’80, ’95 MPA 
Community Service: Tamica Gant, ’15 
Jesuit Mission: Mirya Muñoz-Roach, ’07 
Athletics Hall of Fame: Janson Junk and Alexis Montgomery, ’18 
 
The university will celebrate these outstanding individuals at the 40th Annual Alumni Awards ceremony on Friday, February 26, 2027, at Pigott Atrium and Auditorium.

ALUMNA OF THE YEAR 
Ruth Tressel, ’84 
College of Arts and Sciences (now College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences)

For her lifelong commitment to Seattle University’s mission and values, Ruth Tressel, ’84, is Alumna of the Year. 

As SU's first Truman Scholar and a graduate of Harvard Law, Tressel exemplifies academic excellence. A passionate advocate for education, Tressel has dedicated her life to focusing on expanding opportunities for underserved students through organizations such as Powerful Voices, University Prep and Rainier Scholars. At Seattle University, examples of Tressel’s service include the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Leadership Council, the Albers School of Business and Economics Innovation and Entrepreneurship Advisory Board, 11 years on the Board of Regents and as a supporter and advisor to the Sundborg Center for Community Engagement. This year she will conclude 12 years of leadership on the Board of Trustees. 

One of Tressel's nominators said, "First and foremost, Ruth Tressel cares deeply about people. She sees education as a major tool for helping people improve their lives and giving them the tools to likewise help others. You see her caring and her heart through both her actions and longstanding dedication.” 

OUTSTANDING RECENT ALUMNA 
Iram Jafry, ’17 MBA 
Albers School of Business and Economics 

For her professional accomplishments and leadership at Seattle University, Iram Jafry, '17 MBA, is honored as Outstanding Recent Alumna. 

Jafry’s personal and professional journey embodies the servant leadership she carries forward from Seattle University. Drawing on her experience in internal audit at KPMG in Pakistan and digital trust at PricehousewaterCoopers (PwC) in the United States, she is now building a transformative AI operating system at AI Finder designed to make every user an AI power user, while equipping organizations with practical tools to govern AI responsibly. 

Since earning her MBA, Jafry has maintained a strong connection with Albers. She secured PwC Foundation funding twice, including for the Summer Business Institute, and is a founding supporter of the Bruce Koch Rising Star Endowed Scholarship. She continues to mentor students and serve on the Risk Advisory and Assurance Advisory Board.

One of Jafry's nominators said, “Iram arrived here as an international student who had to rebuild her professional foundation in an unfamiliar system, received an education and some uncommon kindness and has spent every year since converting both into opportunity for students she will never meet. She notices something the school needs and then does the persistent, unglamorous work of making it happen.” 

UNIVERSITY SERVICE AWARD 
Richard Wood, ’99 
Albers School of Business and Economics 

For his enduring service and dedication to SU's academic mission, Richard Wood, '99, is honored with the University Service Award. 

Since 2009, Wood has played an instrumental role in developing the Redhawk Fund into one of the nation’s leading student-managed investment funds, mentoring students as they grew the fund’s assets from $250,000 to $1.6 million. Wood's leadership as chair of the Albers Finance Department Advisory Board has reimagined the board as a resource for faculty and students, focused on building connections with Seattle’s business community. Wood also served on the Board of Regents and contributed directly to student success through his more than a decade of mentorship sharing his expertise as Co-Founder and Managing Partner of First Hill Partners, exemplifying the Jesuit tradition of service. 

One of Wood's nominators said, “Seattle University’s mission calls for ‘educating the whole person, to professional formation and to empowering leaders for a just and humane world.’ Richard embodies these commitments through both his character and his extraordinary service to Seattle University.” 

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 
James (Jim) Lyons, ’80, ’95 MPA 
College of Arts and Sciences (now College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences)

For his four decades of visionary leadership in higher education, James (Jim) Lyons, '80, '95 MPA, is honored with the Professional Achievement Award. 

Lyons began his higher education leadership as President of Student Government at Seattle University, followed by 10 years working in SU Admissions, ending in the role of interim Dean of Admissions. In January, Lyons will conclude his 41-year career in higher education, having spent the majority—39 years, in fact—in Catholic education at SU, the University of Portland and Santa Clara University. At Santa Clara, Lyons served as the Vice President for University Relations and recently received the Paul L. Locatelli, S.J. Award, which recognizes an employee for outstanding service. Under Lyons' 12 years of leadership, the Santa Clara’s annual fundraising grew from approximately $34 million to $100 million. Lyons also led the historic $1 billion Innovating with a Mission campaign, secured $280 million in scholarships and financial aid and increased alumni chapters by more than 40 percent. 

One of his nominators said, “As a Seattle University alumnus and former student-body president, Jim has carried the university’s Jesuit values throughout his distinguished 40-year career in higher education. Throughout his career, Jim has demonstrated how thoughtful leadership, philanthropy and meaningful alumni relationships can transform institutions and create opportunities for future generations.” 

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD 
Tamica Gant, ’15 
College of Nursing and Health Sciences 

For her commitment to advancing health equity and improving access to care for underserved communities, Tamica Gant, '15, is honored with the Community Service Award. 

With a decade of experience as a registered nurse, Gant has dedicated her career to advocating for patients who are underserved or overlooked in health care services. Gant is also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Abundance Health LLC, a private-duty nursing and nurse delegation company that provides culturally responsive care throughout the Pacific Northwest. Abundance Health, LLC also holds three contracts with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), supporting services that include private-duty nursing, registered nurse delegation and WA Cares application assistance to help individuals access long-term care services. Through other initiatives such as the BIPOC Health and Wellness Fair, Gant connects individuals with screenings and education to build healthier, more equitable communities. 

One of Gant’s nominators said, “Tamica Gant is a renowned leader and pillar within her community. Since graduating from Seattle University in 2015, she has done immense work in health care and in her community. … She has dedicated her life’s mission and vision to helping people and shows genuine interest in their well-being.” 

JESUIT MISSION AWARD 
Mirya Muñoz-Roach, ’07 
School of Theology & Ministry 

For her leadership and advocacy guided by Catholic Social Teaching, the Vincentian charism and Jesuit values, Mirya Muñoz-Roach, '07, is honored with the Jesuit Mission Award. 

Muñoz-Roach was instrumental in the founding of Centro Rendu, a special program of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul focused on supporting Latino immigrant families. Muñoz-Roach serves also as the CEO/Executive Director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Seattle/King County. In both roles, Muñoz-Roach has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and serve the most vulnerable members of the community. She has also helped to advance culturally responsive programming, adult basic education and literacy, college access, family support services and youth mentorship, reaching more than 1,700 individuals annually through Centro Rendu and thousands more through the expansive work of St. Vincent de Paul. With more than two decades dedicated to serving the most vulnerable, nurturing leaders, accompanying and advocating for low-income communities and Hispanic/Latino immigrant families, Muñoz-Roach was honored with the papal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifices medal in 2025. 

One of her nominators said, “Mirya Muñoz-Roach exemplifies leadership grounded in integrity, vision, humility, perseverance and a deep commitment to the dignity of every person she encounters. Throughout more than 25 years of work serving low-income communities and the local church, Mirya has demonstrated that leadership is not defined by position or recognition, but by listening deeply, building trust, bringing people together and by placing one’s gifts to the service of others.” 

ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME 
Janson Junk 
Baseball 

For his outstanding career on the Seattle University baseball team and success in Major League Baseball, Janson Junk is the newest inductee into the Athletics Hall of Fame. 

Junk appeared in 57 games for the Redhawks from 2015-17, including 23 starts, and recorded 145 career strikeouts, ranking seventh in SU history. With 12 career wins, Junk ranks sixth in program history. In 2017, he was selected by the New York Yankees in the MLB Draft. In 2021, Junk became one of only a handful of SU baseball alumni to reach the major leagues and is now the starting pitcher for the Miami Marlins.  

SU Hall of Famer Mike Gibson, ‘79, said, “Janson entered the Redhawks program in 2014 as a local walk‑on pitching prospect. Over three years he developed at an impressive pace, transforming himself into a legitimate professional prospect. His persistence paid off when the New York Yankees selected him in the late rounds of the MLB Draft, launching a professional career that took him through the Angels, Brewers and Athletics organizations. That long grind through multiple systems ultimately set the stage for his breakthrough, earning a spot in the Florida Marlins’ starting rotation for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.” 

Alexis Montgomery, ’18 
Women’s Basketball 
College of Arts and Sciences (now College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences)

For her impressive career on the Seattle University women’s basketball team, Alexis Montgomery, '18, is the newest into the Athletics Hall of Fame. 

Montgomery ranks in the Top 10 in program history across several statistics, including seventh in career points (1,492), field goals (574) and rebounds (798), while also ranking third in assists (348), sixth in blocks (58) and ninth in steals (157). In the 2017-18 season, Montgomery led the Redhawks to the 2018 Western Athletic Conference Tournament Championship and first ever NCAA Tournament appearance. She was named First Team All-WAC and to the WAC All-Defensive Team, while ranking third nationally in triple-doubles that season. In 2018, Montgomery was drafted by Hyvinkään Ponteva, a sports club, to play on Korisliiga, Finland’s professional basketball team. Today, Montgomery works for Summit Community Center in Seattle as an instructor, mentor and basketball coach. 

SU Hall of Famer Sue Verduin, ‘83, said, “Alexis Montgomery is one of the premier players to ever suit up for the Seattle University women’s basketball program.”