Hall of Fame
We’re proud of our NAU College of Social and Behavioral Sciences alumni
Some of the greatest minds have gotten their higher education at Northern Arizona University. From top assemblymen to a professional counselor, they all began their journeys as Lumberjacks. These renowned innovators have left an indelible mark not only on NAU but on the world.
Hall of Fame 2020
The Hall of Fame recognizes NAU SBS alumni who have made significant contributions to the university, community, or their career. This annual award is presented to all inductees Homecoming weekend. Nominations for the 2020 Hall of Fame inductees will be accepted February 3 through May 4, 2020.
Inductees 2019
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences enjoys sharing stories of our 2019 inductees who have gone on to make a difference in the world. Join us Friday, October 25, 2019 from 2:30-4 pm at the Hall of Fame Panel Presentation as well celebrate the achievements of our inductees.
President’s Alumni Award – Roy Morey, PhD Accordion Closed
Roy Morey
1959, Social Science
NAU Foundation, Board of Directors
Following graduation from NAU, Dr. Morey attended the University of Arizona, earning a master’s and doctoral degree in 1961 and 1964 respectively. Dr. Morey worked as a visiting professor in Tokyo, Japan, and became an Associate professor and Chair at Denison University. He later served on the Nixon White House staff and served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs. For 22 years, he was a senior officer with the United Nations Development Programme. During his tenure at the White House, his assignments included strategic planning relating to education and school finance, government organization and management and analysis of public opinion data on major issues as an input to federal policy making. Dr. Morey then worked as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, U.S. Department of State, coordinating policy for U.S. participation in the economic and social activities of all United Nations organizations. He went on to work for the United Nations in a number of capacities including work for UNDP in Viet Nam, and Thailand. He has written a book about his experiences in Asia, The United Nations at Work in Asia: An Envoy’s Account of Development in China, Vietnam, Thailand and the South Pacific.
Dr. Morey is currently retired, serving on the NAU Foundation Board of Directors. He also serves on the Tucson YMCA Board, the Tucson Committee on Foreign Relations and is a Board Member of World.info. Dr. Morey and his wife, Delores, have given generously to NAU over the years, supporting the Model United Nations Club with a travel endowment and they co-funded an endowed internship award for students working in Washington, D.C.
Sherman Frederick – CEO, Battle Born Media Accordion Closed
Sherman Frederick
1977, Journalism
CEO of Battle Born Media
Sherman Frederick served in the Navy for four years before enrolling at NAU as a non-traditional student. He found his love of journalism working for the Lumberjack student newspaper. After graduation, he continued his journalism career and reported for a series of newspapers across the country, ultimately becoming editor and publisher of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and in 1999, Mr. Frederick was named president of the Stephens Media Group. In 2018, he was inducted into the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame. As a past president of the Nevada Press Association, he was instrumental in establishing the association’s headquarters near the Nevada Capitol. He founded Battle Born Media, LLC, which publishes four county-seat newspapers in Nevada – the Ely Times, Mineral County Independent-News, Lincoln County Record, Eureka Sentinel, as well as the Mesquite Local News and Sparks Tribune. Mr. Frederick comes from an NAU legacy family. His parents, grandmother, four brothers, children, and one granddaughter all attended NAU. His endowment gift to the School of Communication is in honor of his deceased grandmother, Christine Yaeger. He made the donation to “pay it forward” to the university that helped him become the success he is today.
Mr. Frederick has been a great friend to NAU over the years and has never forgotten his roots as a Lumberjack (both as an alum and as student editor of the Lumberjack newspaper). As an alumni, Sherman served on the School of Communication Advisory Board, the SBS Advancement Council, and received the 2008 Dwight Patterson Alumnus of the Year Award.
Amy Peña – General Counsel, The Chicago Community Trust Accordion Closed
Amy Peña
1994, Communication Studies
General Counsel
The Chicago Community Trust
Amy Peña recently accepted the position of general counsel for The Chicago Community Trust, one of the country’s oldest and largest community foundations. The Trust is dedicated to a thriving, equitable and connected Chicago region where people of all races, places and identities have the opportunities to reach their potential. . Prior to accepting this position, she was the first female general counsel for the International Association of Lions Clubs in its 101 year history. Ms. Peña is a first-generation college student who grew up in Kingman, Arizona. She chose NAU because of the personal attention she knew she would receive and the vibrant residence life. After graduation, she worked in Human Resources for Hilton Hotels then moved to Mohave County. Through her work at Hilton and at the County, she found her passion for law and decided to apply to law school. She graduated from Northern Illinois University College of Law with her J.D. then stayed in Chicago to work in employment and labor litigation at a boutique regional labor and employment law firm Wessels & Pautsh and Andrews Koehler & Passarelli, P.C. She also earned a “Mini MBA” for In House Counsel from the Boston University Questrom School of Business. Ms. Peña seized the opportunity to work in the legal department for Lions International, where she eventually worked her way up to the position of General Counsel. She had been with the Lions International for 16 years and traveled regularly around the world assisting and advising local chapters in their service.
Ms. Peña’s career is one of service, not only to Lions International and her own community, but also to NAU. As a student, she was a member of the Chain Gang and worked as a Resident Assistant. She remains a staunch supporter of NAU and stays involved philanthropically. She would like to make a greater impact on campus and has expressed interest in coming back to mentor students. Ms. Peña has received several awards during her career including the Outstanding NIU Woman Award, Outstanding Achievement in Advocacy Award, Outstanding contribution to Law Community Award and the Parker Brewster Award for Outstanding Achievement in Land Use/Property/Realty Law and was most recently recognized as a finalist in the Global Counsel Awards through the Association of Corporate Counsel and Lexology.