This year’s honorees are Outstanding Young Alumni recipient Eric’el Johnson, BSEE 2016, and Distinguished Alumni recipients Mary Troy, BA 1970; Paula Knight, MEd 1996, EdS 2008, EdD 2014; Sam Ganga, MBA 1989; and Luke Coffey, BA 2002. (Photo by Derik Holtmann)
At the annual University of Missouri–St. Louis Founders Celebration on Thursday, members of the UMSL community recognized and honored the contributions of five alumni who have left their mark on their respective industries while continuing to support UMSL with their time and talent.
Since its inception in 1987, the UMSL Distinguished Alumni Award has been given annually to esteemed alumni to recognize distinction in their professional accomplishments, community service or both while also representing the highest standards of integrity and character. Their work transforms lives locally in St. Louis, nationally and globally as they drive for change to improve the world around them.
At a ceremony held in the Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, the UMSL Alumni Association presented its highest honor, the Distinguished Alumni Award, to Luke Coffey, Sam Ganga, Paula Knight and Mary Troy. In addition to the four Distinguished Alumni winners, Eric’el Johnson, BSEE 2016, was recognized with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
The 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are transformational leaders in global security, business, education and literature. They each rise to the challenges of their industries, making our world a safer, better and more beautiful place. This collective impact can be felt from the UMSL campus and the St. Louis region to the larger world, driving positive change for a better tomorrow.
Learn more about this year’s honorees:
Luke Coffey, BA 2002
Even as a standout political science student at UMSL, Coffey could not have imagined the historic path his career in global affairs would take. After graduating in 2002, Coffey served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, earning a Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan. He then earned a master’s degree at the London School of Economics, where his expertise on European Union governance opened doors to public service. Coffey joined the office of then-Parliament member Liam Fox, and when Fox became secretary of state for defense, Coffey was appointed senior special adviser – the first non-U.K. citizen ever named to the role by the prime minister. He later led the Allison Center for Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation, and today serves as a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, a leading nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C. In 2024, his commitment to strengthening international cooperation was recognized with the Order of Merit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Coffey has dedicated his career to advancing global security and protecting the United States and its allies.
Sam Ganga, MBA 1989
Ganga’s career has placed him at the digital frontier of the business world during one of the most exciting and technologically innovative times in history. As a partner at the multinational professional services network KPMG, Ganga drives business growth and serves as a trusted technology and digital executive. He harnesses the power of data management, artificial intelligence, machine learning and cloud computing to create transformative solutions for complex business and industry challenges. He leads teams in launching digital marketplace platforms and building digital businesses, most recently for a Fortune 50 company. Prior to his work with KPMG, Ganga was the president of the digital management company DMI and was the founder of the software development company Leverent. Widely recognized as both a subject-matter expert and a solutions-driven changemaker, he continues to shape the future of digital innovation. Based in Chicago, Ganga is also deeply committed to his community. He has served on the board of the education nonprofit Kids First Chicago and remains an engaged UMSL alumnus through his thought leadership and current service on the Chancellor’s Council.
Paula Knight, MEd 1996, EDSP 2008, EdD 2014
In every decision she makes, Knight’s lodestar is the developmental wellbeing of the children she serves. By implementing creative programs that are thoughtfully grounded in research, Paula has shaped thousands of lives throughout her three decades as an educator and administrator. She began her career as a teacher at Hamilton Elementary School. A desire to create positive change on a systemic level led her to the role of principal, followed by central office leadership positions within St. Louis Public Schools. Knight was appointed to the Missouri Coordinating Board for Early Childhood in 2013. There, she helped double the number of enrolled 3- and 4-year-olds at SLPS. She accepted her current role as superintendent of the Jennings School District in 2021. A three-time UMSL alum, Knight is the author of multiple publications that have advanced the education profession. She serves her community outside the classroom as well, as a long-time member of the St. Louis chapters of the Urban League, United Way and Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society and the UMSL College of Education Dean’s Cabinet.
Mary Troy, BA 1970
Through her meticulously crafted short stories and novels, Troy, a Florissant native, pens the people and places of St. Louis into existence. Her art is drawn from the well that exists between who we seem to be and who we are. The winner of the USA Book award for literary fiction, Devil’s Kitchen Reading Award, Nelson Algren award, William Rockhill Nelson award, and others, Troy most recently added the 2025 Leila Lenore Heasley Prize to her list of accolades. This distinction honors Troy as a “distinguished representative of American and international letters.” In addition to practicing her own craft, Troy spent 24 years cultivating the talents of other writers by teaching in the Master of Fine Arts program at her alma mater, UMSL. She also served as editor of the contemporary literature journal Natural Bridge. Troy was honored with the University of Missouri system award for leadership as well as the Missouri Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Her lasting artistic legacy continues to make a difference not only in our region but in the literary community worldwide.
Eric’el Johnson, BSEE 2016
Johnson’s achievements reflect her excellence as both a student and a professional. At UMSL, she excelled as an honors scholar and campus leader while earning three Boeing internships that launched her career. Now a senior systems engineer, she has been recognized with awards such as the St. Louis Valuing Diversity & Inclusion Influencing Award. Johnson also founded a mentoring program that connects engineering students with her fellow Boeing professionals and is a passionate advocate for greater access to STEM opportunities, exemplifying her commitment to leadership, service and advancing opportunity for others. Despite a demanding career, she is frequently on the UMSL campus speaking about professional ethics, assisting with student interviews and serving as a valuable resource to faculty, students and staff. A former member of the UMSL Alumni Association Governing Board, she is active in the National Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers.
