GU To Honor Wilson, Smarrella, and Cobb at Homecoming
Published: April 13, 2021
Greenville University has announced the winners of its 2019 Alumni Awards. This years honors to go Distinguished Alumna Carol Wilson 81 of Scurry, Texas, Loyalty Awardee Tony Smarrella 88 of Danville, Indiana, and Outstanding Young Alumnus Aaron D. Cobb 01 of Pike Road, Alabama.
The University will formally recognize these honorees during a Homecoming chapel service Friday, October 18, at 9:30 a.m. in Whitlock Music Center. The public is invited.
Distinguished Alumna Carol Wilson 81
Wilson practices family law in Dallas, Texas. 2017, 2018, and 2019 were banner years for Carol. Best Lawyers in America included her in its most recent Best Lawyers in America listing, and D Magazine included her among Best Lawyers in Dallas for 2018 and 2019. She has been named a Texas Super Lawyer ten times. From 2017-2019 she was named among the Top 100 Dallas/Forth Worth Texas Super Lawyers and the Top 50Women Texas Super Lawyers. She has been named one of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report 2020.
Wilson is board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She has been active in politics to educate the public about national issues. Carol has served on her local school board and in church leadership positions. After graduating from Greenville U, she earned her law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law.
Outstanding Young Alumnus Aaron Cobb 01
Aaron is an associate professor of English and philosophy at Auburn University (Montgomery, Alabama). His research and publications explore issues of ethics, epistemology, and perinatal palliative care.
His book Loving Samuel: Suffering, Dependence, and the Calling of Love, examines grief, faith, and the human condition. In it, Aaron tells the story of losing his son Samuel shortly after birth. Aaron contributed reflections on this topic to Christianity Todays Thin Places Blog. He further explores issues of grief on his personal blog.
He received Auburn Universitys 2015 Distinguished Emerging Professor Award and grants from the Moral Beacons project (Wake Forest University) and Forum Humanum Claremont Conference (Claremont Graduate University). Aaron and his family remain active in their local church. Aarons travels include speaking engagements where he delivers a message of hope.
Dr. Gene A. Kamp Loyalty Awardee Tony Smarrella 88
Tony demonstrates his commitment to Greenville University through academic contributions. He created the curriculum for four courses within the Briner School of Business online program and has plans to develop an additional four courses. He has also taught classes for GU on entrepreneurship. He assists the Briner Schools Experience First program and serves on the Briner Advisory Board, visiting GU frequently to carry out these responsibilities.
Tony taught biology for 14 years before deciding to pursue opportunities in consulting. He currently owns Smarrella Consulting. He has attended the West Side Church of the Nazarene in Danville, Indiana, for 27 years, serving in various leadership and teaching roles.