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Shayla Nicole Purifoy ’03 was elected Judge of Shelby County General Sessions Civil Court, Division II, in 2026 after nearly a decade in the Shelby County judiciary. After earning a degree in Urban Studies from Rhodes and a J.D. from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, she worked with Memphis Area Legal Services and the Family Safety Center, providing legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In 2016, Purifoy was appointed Judicial Commissioner and later served as Magistrate before her election to the bench. A lifelong Memphian, she has remained actively engaged in the legal profession and the community, serving as President of the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association in 2020, promoting public confidence in the judiciary, and earning the President’s Award from both the Memphis Bar Association and the Ben F. Jones Chapter in 2023. A dedicated alumna, Purifoy continues to support Rhodes through the Black Alumni Chapter, mock trial, and mentoring and professional development opportunities for students. In 2024, she received the Outstanding Mentor Award from the Leo Bearman Sr. American Inn of Court.

Black Student Association's Distinguished Alumni Award

Established in 1998, the Black Student Association's Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes those African-American alumni whose record of outstanding personal achievement and service to others has inspired Rhodes students and brought honor to their alma mater. The BSA Distinguished Alumni Award is presented each year during Homecoming/Reunion Weekend.

Eligibility and Nominations
All alumni who were members of the BSA as students are eligible. Nominees for the BSA Distinguished Alumni Award are eligible and will be considered for the Distinguished Alumni Award, the Young Alumni Award, or the Distinguished Service Award as appropriate. Make your nomination today by filling out the online form on the front page.

BSA Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

2026 Shayla Nicole Purifoy ’03

2025 Joy Richmond Bowen ’97

2024 Darrell Cobbins ’97

2023 Wilfreda Lindsey ’11, MD, MS

2022 Kathy Moore Cowan ’78

2021 Florence Johnson ’88

2020 Melanie A. Hilliard ’92

2019 Dr. Sherry Turner ’84

2018 Dr. Coby V. Smith ’68

2017 Dr. Sandra Waller Shelton ’76

2016 Aubrey Howard ’72

2015 Roblin J. Boxill ’99

2014 Steven L. Becton ’88

2013 Patricia Spears Jones ’73

2012 Dr. Lorenzo Childress Jr. ’68

2011 Dorothy Sanders Wells ’82

2010 Virgil Starks, III ’85 (posthumous)

2009 Julian T. Bolton ’71

2008 Vicki Gilmore Palmer ’75

2007 Donald Duggan ’86

2006 Charles Holt ’89

2005 Ryan Mire ’93

2004 Patricia Howard ’70

Marcus Kimbrough ’90

2003 Johnny Moore ’88

2002 Julian T. Bolton ’71

2001 Jerome Franklin ’89

Russ Wigginton ’88

2000 Herman Morris ’73

1999 Anita Davis ’90

1998 Joyce Broffitt ’77