The Lifetime Achievement Award is intended for those with more than 15 years of career experience after leaving Hiram College.
The award honors individuals who have accomplished greatly in their professional capacities and, in so doing, have brought honor and recognition to their profession, their community, and Hiram College.
Dr. John W. Cassidy ’76
About the 2026 Recipient
The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Dr. John W. Cassidy ’76.
Dr. John W. Cassidy is the Executive Chairman and Founder of Nexus Health Systems and is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with more than 30 years of experience in clinical neuroscience and neurobehavioral rehabilitation. He founded Nexus Health Systems in 1992 and previously served as its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer, guiding the organization’s growth into a nationally recognized provider of integrated medical and behavioral healthcare for complex populations. Nexus Health Systems was recently recognized as a USA Today Top Workplace, reflecting the mission-driven culture he established.
Prior to founding Nexus, Dr. Cassidy held several pioneering leadership roles, including Psychiatrist in Charge and Co-Founder of the Neuropsychiatry Program at McLean Hospital and Chief Medical Officer and Founder of the Neurobehavioral Institute of Houston. He also served as a visiting lecturer for the Kurt Goldstein Institute of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation.
Throughout his career, Dr. Cassidy has been dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of individuals with acquired and traumatic brain injuries. His work has consistently emphasized a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitation that addresses cognitive, behavioral, physical, emotional, and interpersonal challenges, supporting more durable recovery and meaningful functional outcomes.
In his current role as Executive Chairman, Dr. Cassidy remains actively engaged in advancing the field of integrated care through writing, speaking, and mentorship. He continues to share his clinical and operational insights with healthcare leaders, clinicians, and emerging professionals, helping shape models of care that bridge medical and behavioral health in service of better outcomes.
Dr. Cassidy earned his Bachelor of Arts from Hiram College and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He completed his post-graduate training at Harvard Medical School, with special training in neurology and psychiatry, and has spoken nationally and internationally on the sequela and management of severe traumatic brain injury. He is the author of three books, as well as numerous papers, book chapters, and editorials.
The Rising Star Award is presented to one or more alumni and is intended for those with 15 years or less of career experience after leaving Hiram College.
The award recognizes recent graduates for their achievements after college who are making a notable contribution in their chosen profession or their community and in so doing, has brought honor and recognition to Hiram College.
Anh Tran ’11
About the 2026 Recipient
The Rising Star Award recipient is Anh Tran ’11.
Anh Tran (she/they) is the Insecticide Product Development Manager and Technical Services Representative at ISK Biosciences, where they support the development of insecticide products across diverse agriculture fields in the United States and Canada.
Anh earned an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Minnesota (UMN). During their graduate studies, Anh authored several publications, including one that received the Most Cited award from Wiley. Anh was actively involved in their department, the community, and the Entomological Society of America (ESA). At the University and College levels, Anh was recognized for their leadership and service with two of the highest student honors. Additionally, Anh received the J.H. Comstock Award from the North-Central Branch of the ESA, a prestigious award recognizing a graduate student for their contributions.
Anh remains actively involved in ESA, having served on the Common Names Committee, and currently serving on the Better Common Names Project, which aims to remove problematic and xenophobic insect names. Anh is also a subject editor for the Annals of ESA journal and a member of the ESA Program Committee.
As a first-generation immigrant, Anh is committed to mentoring students from similar backgrounds. Anh has mentored seven award-winning students and continues to provide academic and career guidance. Anh is a strong advocate for outreach and community engagement and has co-led over 32 outreach programs focused on making STEM fields more accessible to underrepresented communities.
Outside of professional and advocacy work, Anh is an avid runner. Anh volunteered with Mile in My Shoes, a nonprofit supporting individual experiencing homelessness, and re-entry programs, and have participated in 200-mile relay races to raise funds.
Anh’s time at Hiram College sparked a lasting interest in the natural world, introduced them to running through cross-country, and provided early mentorship opportunities. The experience continues to shape Anh’s approach to research, outreach, mentorship, and community engagement.
The Service to Humanity Award is presented to one or more alumni and is intended for those making outstanding contributions to the betterment of their communities and our world. Contributions can consist of volunteerism, philanthropy, community service, or the improvement of world knowledge and understanding.
The award celebrates those who strive to make a difference for others and in so doing have brought honor and recognition to Hiram College.
Jeffrey C. Wray ’82 & Dr. Tama Lynne Hamilton-Wray ’82
About the 2026 RecipienTS
The Service to Humanity Award recipients are Jeffrey C. Wray ’82 and Dr. Tama Lynne Hamilton-Wray ’82.
Jeffrey C. Wray is a Professor of Film Studies and the Timnick Endowed Chair in the Humanities at Michigan State University. A filmmaker and screenwriter, his current project Altered Histories-Blue is a series of political, science fiction, musical, romantic and experimental stories surveying past, present, and future each film featuring a blue element. The first film in the series, The Third One, was recently completed. His other films include Songs for My Right Side (2020) and The Evolution of Bert (2015), which premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival being nominated for the Roger Ebert Award. China, which he also wrote and directed, was funded and broadcast by PBS. Screenplays include The Soul Singer, a Nicholl Academy Award Screenwriting Fellowship Quarterfinalist, and Eclipse, a story set in Ohio during the turbulent summer of 1964. His essay, “How Ella Mae Wray Seized the Opportunities of 1968,” was published in The Atlantic in 2018.
Tama Hamilton-Wray, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH) at Michigan State University (MSU), and independent filmmaker. Her interdisciplinary research and teaching interests include Black independent and global African cinemas, Third Cinema theory, Black feminist cultural production, and Black feminist theory. She is co-editor and contributor to New Directions in the Study of the African Diaspora: Uncharted Themes and Alternative Representations. Her work appears in the Journal of African Cinemas, Midwest Miscellany, and Raoul Peck: Power, Politics, and the Cinematic Imagination (MSU Press 2018). Her newest film, The Third One, is in post-production; other select films include Songs for My Right Side (2019), The Evolution of Bert (2015), and China (2003). Hamilton-Wray has facilitated media literacy and Black Film workshops for students and public audiences; additionally, she has curated film programs and art exhibits.
The Terrier Award is to recognize one or more alumni or friend/supporter of the College and is intended to recognize those who serve tenaciously in the institutional interest of Hiram College.
The award proclaims participation in alumni or College affairs, faithful effort in maintaining class or alumni organizations, and efforts to expand the influence and prestige of Hiram College.
Frank Hemphill
About the 2026 Recipient
Frank Hemphill was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, graduating from East High School before attending Western Kentucky University on a track scholarship. He began his career as a Biology and General Science teacher at Shaw High School, eventually becoming Chairman of the Biology Department. While building his career, he earned a Master of Education degree in Counseling from Kent State University and remained actively involved in educational, leadership, and community organizations.
Frank joined Hiram College in 1971 through the Martha Holden Jennings Fellowship in the Biology Department and transitioned to Student Affairs in 1972. Over more than four decades at Hiram, he served in numerous leadership roles, including Assistant Dean of Students, Coordinator of Minority Student Outreach, and Director of Student Academic Services, retiring in 2013. Deeply committed to student success, he also taught as an adjunct instructor and helped strengthen partnerships with Cuyahoga Community College.
Known for his compassion and mentorship, Frank became a trusted advocate for generations of students, particularly those from Cleveland-area schools. He helped create pathways to higher education, encouraging students to build confidence, leadership skills, and belief in their potential. Alumni consistently describe him as a mentor, counselor, and steady source of support who transformed lives both inside and outside the classroom.
Even after retirement, Frank continued serving others as a substitute teacher and member of the Hiram Village Council. In recognition of his lasting impact, alumni and friends established the Frank J.P. Hemphill Scholarship for Excellence and Leadership, honoring his lifelong dedication to mentorship, service, and student achievement. His enduring legacy makes him a fitting recipient of Hiram College’s Terrier Award.
This award is presented to recognize and honor former student athletes and others who have been closely associated with and who have made significant contributions to Hiram College.
The deadline to nominate someone for an Alumni Award is February 1, 2026. Please fill out as much information as possible on the nomination form below.
