Alumni Awards
Celebrating Our Brightest Stars
We recently honored two of our accomplished alumni during Homecoming Weekend 2023.
Both awards are given annually to alumni of Morris Harvey or the University of Charleston. These individuals demonstrate the ideals of our mission by living a life of productive work, enlightened living, and community involvement.
2023 Rising Alumnus – Mark Broyles, UC Class of ’06
Mark graduated from the University of Charleston in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. During his time at UC, Mark was a member of the 2004 WVIAC Conference Tournament Championship Team and 2nd Team All-Conference.
After college, Mark served as a graduate assistant in the UC Men’s Soccer program under Coach Marty Martinez in 2006 and again in 2009 under former college teammate, Coach Chad Duernberger. That year, the team finished ranked #7 in the nation and advanced to the Elite 8 of the National Tournament.
In between assistant coaching stints at UC, Mark earned a Graduate Gemologist® degree from the Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.) world headquarters in Carlsbad, CA. This is the jewelry industry’s most prestigious credential.
After graduating from G.I.A., Mark joined De Beers Diamond Jewelers for 2 years in the nation’s capital before returning to Calvin Broyles Jewelers in South Charleston to work as a 4th generation in his family’s jewelry store and is now a managing partner.
“I feel very fortunate that I was able to work so closely with the top-quality business professors at UC. The classes were challenging, but I always felt comfortable knowing that their door was open to seek guidance. The personal relationships and just general accessibility that students have at UC is something that I just don’t think you can find many other places. I still have all my notes from Alcazar & McMillen’s classes!”
Mark has served on the board at the South Charleston Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on the board of the Leading Jewelers Guild of America.
He resides in South Charleston with his wife Jennifer (University of Charleston Alumnus ‘09, Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing) and their sons, Carter, Cruz & Cameron.
2023 Alumnus of the Year – Steve Kawash, Morris Harvey Class of ’78
During his time at Morris Harvey College/University of Charleston, Steve was active in student government and many business and social clubs. He graduated summa cum laude in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and later obtained a master’s in business administration from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies. “In addition to getting a great education, joining the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity had a great impact on my life. It allowed me to meet fellow students from around the country, and I made lifelong friends with whom I still maintain a close relationship. I have the good fortune of living in Charleston and getting to see all the improvements that have been made on campus over the years. If you have not visited the school in a while, I would encourage you to come to Charleston and see all the great things that are happening at our Alma Mater.”
Steve was one of the initial board members of the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, is past president and Board member of the Charleston Exchange Club, Treasurer of Edgewood Country Club, Treasurer and Board member of MATRIC, Treasurer and Board member of Mid-Atlantic Holding Company, former Board member of the Kanawha-Charleston Soccer Foundation, initial Board member of the McGee Foundation and Treasurers of Thomas Health System. Steve is also a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the West Virginia Society of CPAs (WVSCPAs), and the Charleston Chapter of the WVSCPAs. He has been active in coaching youth sports, including basketball, soccer, and baseball.
Steve was inducted into the University of Charleston Alumni Gallery of Achievement in 2015 and is a current UC Alumni Association member. He resides in Charleston with his wife, Perri, and has 3 sons and 1 grandson.
