Each year, Catawba celebrates alumni who lead with purpose, uplift their communities, and demonstrate the enduring power of a Catawba education. This year’s honorees embody excellence in their professions, compassion in service, and creativity in leadership, advancing the common good and inspiring others through their example.
- Young Alumni Award for Service – Anya ’19 and Hunter ’20 Faust
- Young Alumni Award for Career Development – Morgan Carlton ‘16
- Distinguished Alumni Award for Service – Alison Moore ‘92
- Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement – Joseph A. Giunta ‘85
- Catawba Black Alumni Pioneer Award – Nick Means ‘03
Young Alumni Award for Service
Anya ’19 and Hunter ’20 Faust
Owners, Faust Enterprises-Experience Damascus & Stone Fly Co.
Damascus, Virginia
The Young Alumni Award for Service is given to an alumnus for exceptional service to the College and Community.
Anya and Hunter Faust exemplify compassion and community leadership in action. Together, they have revitalized their town through entrepreneurial spirit and hands-on dedication to rebuilding Damascus, Virginia, following the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene. From organizing creek cleanups to contributing countless volunteer hours and resources, the Fausts embody Catawba’s mission of stewardship and service—proving that good truly does go far.
Anya, originally from Belarus, earned her degree in Integrated Marketing Communications with a minor in Entrepreneurship in 2019. Hunter, a four-year starter on the Catawba Men’s Soccer team, graduated in 2020 with a degree in Environmental Science, concentrating in Natural Resources Management. The couple met while attending Catawba and, in 2021, left Raleigh for Damascus to open Experience Damascus, a property management and cleaning company that also offers fly-fishing excursions.
Following the hurricane, both worked tirelessly to aid in the community’s recovery. In recognition of his leadership, Hunter was elected to the Damascus City Council in 2025 and currently serves as Vice Mayor.
Young Alumni Award for Career Development
Morgan Carlton ’16
Systems Analyst Team Lead, Radiation Oncology
Novant Health
Adjunct Faculty, Business
Catawba College
The Young Alumni Award for Career Development is given to an alumnus for quickly developing success in their career field.
In less than a decade, Morgan Carlton has progressed from an entry-level analyst to team lead, managing complex information systems that support Novant Health’s radiation oncology services. A leader known for her technical expertise and collaborative spirit, Carlton ensures that clinical teams have the tools and technology needed to deliver exceptional patient care.
A 2016 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Morgan went on to earn her MBA from Catawba in 2022, where she was named MBA Student of the Year. As a student, she served as Executive Vice President of the Student Government Association, President of Phi Beta Lambda, and a Tom Smith Scholar. Today, she continues to give back to her alma mater as an adjunct faculty member, mentoring the next generation of business leaders.
Distinguished Alumni Award for Service
Alison Moore ’92
Lead Administrator and K–6 Principal
Faith Academy
The Distinguished Alumni Award for Service is given to an alumnus for providing extraordinary service to their community and demonstrating leadership to the College.
A lifelong educator and servant leader, Alison Moore has spent more than 30 years shaping the lives of students and teachers across Rowan and Cabarrus Counties. Her dedication extends far beyond the classroom—through her decades-long involvement in Scouting, church leadership, and youth mentorship. Known for her empathy, energy, and steadfast commitment to others, Moore reflects the best of Catawba’s values in every role she assumes.
Alison earned her degree in Elementary Education from Catawba in 1992 and her Master of School Administration from Appalachian State University in 2000. She received Catawba’s David Hoyle Award for Senior Service and was named Bostian Elementary’s Teacher of the Year in 1998. For nearly two decades, she has volunteered with both the Girl Scouts and Scouts BSA, helping young people grow as leaders and citizens. Her service exemplifies a life devoted to community, purpose, and people.
Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement
Joseph A. Giunta ’85
Executive Director and Senior Contracting Official
U.S. Army Contracting Command – Redstone Arsenal
The Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement is given to an alumnus for providing leadership or attaining recognition on a national or regional level within their profession.
For nearly four decades, Joseph Giunta has served his nation with exceptional leadership and integrity. As Executive Director and Senior Contracting Official for the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, he leads more than 900 professionals and manages a $26 billion contract portfolio supporting Army missions across the globe. His visionary leadership has advanced modernization priorities in defense systems, national readiness, and humanitarian efforts.
A 1985 graduate with a degree in Political Science, Giunta also holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Framingham State College. His 21-year civilian career complemented 22 years of active-duty service, including his time as a 2nd Lieutenant commissioned through Catawba’s ROTC program. His honors include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and numerous leadership awards recognizing his excellence in service.
Catawba Black Alumni Pioneer Award
Nick Means ’03
Vice President and Community Banking Officer
F&M Bank
The Catawba Black Alumni Pioneer Award is given to an alumnus who has served their community, distinguished themselves in their profession, and served the Catawba College community.
A dedicated community leader, mentor, and advocate for equity, Nick Means has built a life devoted to empowering others. From coaching young athletes to serving on numerous nonprofit boards, Means embodies Catawba’s values of service and connection. A founding member and current president of the Catawba Black Alumni Network, he continues to strengthen ties among alumni and create opportunities for future generations.
A 2003 graduate who majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Systems, Means was inducted into the Catawba Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. He currently serves on the Catawba College Board of Trustees and holds leadership roles with the Blanche & Julian Robertson Family Foundation, Next Generation Academy, and Leadership Rowan. His work in diversity, equity, and inclusion extends statewide and nationally through the North Carolina and American Bankers Associations.
Blue Masque Hall of Fame Inductees
The Blue Masque Hall of Fame, celebrating excellence in theatre arts and creative performance, welcomes four new members in 2025:
- Sam Brooks ’08, Global Fabrics Manager for Disney’s Frozen international productions and co-founder of Brooks Masline, a boutique costume shop in Jersey City, NJ.
- Canaan Cox ’12, rising country-pop artist and performer whose storytelling blends theatrical roots with modern musical energy.
- David Messick Jr. ’84, founder of Rainbow Puppet Productions, whose work has reached audiences across the U.S. and Africa, inspiring learning through the arts.
- Andrew Tucci ’98, Executive Vice President at BBDO LA and award-winning creative director whose career bridges theatre and global advertising.
Blue Masque Hall of Fame Inductee Highlights
Sam Brooks ’08
Sam Brooks, a 2008 graduate with a BFA in Design and Production for Technical Theatre, has built a remarkable career at the intersection of costume design, production, and wardrobe. He began as a wardrobe supervisor at Hershey Park before taking his talents aboard cruise lines and into live production companies. After relocating to New York, he became the in-house designer for a live entertainment production company, later shifting his focus to Broadway. Over the past 12 years, Sam has worked on more than 25 Broadway productions, serving in roles such as Assistant Costume Designer and Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor. Today, he serves as Global Fabrics Manager for Disney’s Frozen international productions, overseeing costume assets in the United States, Australia, Japan, and Europe. In early 2025, he and his business partner launched Brooks Masline, a boutique costume shop in Jersey City, New Jersey—bringing creativity, craftsmanship, and collaboration to the next generation of theatre professionals.
Canaan Cox ’12
A dynamic performer and storyteller, Canaan Cox blends his BFA in Musical Theatre from Catawba with the energy and authenticity of modern country-pop. His background on stage informs his cinematic approach to music videos and live shows, transforming every performance into an immersive story. Known for his powerful voice, heartfelt ballads, and high-energy anthems, Canaan’s artistry connects deeply with audiences around the world. His work embodies the same passion, creativity, and purpose that define Catawba’s artistic community.
David Messick Jr. ’84
Founder of Rainbow Puppet Productions, David Messick has brought joy, education, and imagination to audiences across the United States and Africa through hundreds of live performances each year. His nonprofit organization’s unique literacy model pairs original musical productions with companion books—more than a quarter of a million distributed to date—highlighting human achievement and the wonders of the natural world. His work has been commissioned by institutions including the Smithsonian, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Virginia Aquarium, and has featured the voices of Oscar-, Tony-, and Grammy-winning artists. A 1984 graduate, David earned his degree in Theatre Arts with minors in Speech Communications and Music, and his students have gone on to perform in Wicked, The Lion King, and with the Radio City Rockettes. His career is a testament to the power of storytelling to educate and inspire.
Andrew Ryle Tucci ’98
Andrew Ryle Tucci embodies the spirit of Catawba Theatre—creativity, collaboration, and enduring impact. As a student, he earned the Sidney Blackmer and Blue Masque Directing Awards, distinguishing himself as both a performer and leader. Today, Tucci serves as Executive Vice President at BBDO LA, where he leads award-winning campaigns for brands including AT&T, Uber, Target, and Bud Light. His creative direction has produced pop culture-defining work recognized with Cannes Lions, Clios, and Effie Awards. Also an accomplished actor, he has appeared in national commercials and a 2025 Super Bowl ad. Tucci’s success reflects both artistic excellence and the authentic storytelling that began on the Catawba stage.
Catawba invites alumni, family, and friends to celebrate these outstanding honorees at the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony on Saturday, October 25, at 12 p.m. in Newman Park.
