Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Jerome (Jerry) D. Odom, Chemistry
Outstanding Graduate Alumnus Award: Dr. Samuel L. Finklea, III; Physics
Distinguished Young Alumnus Award: Mr. Jason Boxt, International Studies
Distinguished Alumnus Achievement Award: Mr. Thomas Strange, Physics

Dr. Jerome D. Odom joined the University of South Carolina as an assistant professor of chemistry in 1969. While at USC, he taught numerous courses, authored or coauthored more than 160 refereed publications and five textbooks, directed the graduate studies of 26 students, and received some of the University's highest awards, including the Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award and the Amoco Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award. He served as the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry chair (1985-1991), dean of the College of Science and Mathematics (1994-1997) , and executive vice president for academic affairs and provost (1997-2004). Dr. Odom retired from the University in 2006 to become executive director of the University Foundations.

Dr. Samuel L. Finklea, III began his career in the Department of Health and Environmental Control's Bureau of Radiological Health, where he received the CRCPD Board of Directors Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Radiation Protection. While at the bureau, he received his JD from the USC School of Law and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. He has received the highest Peer Review rating recognized by Martindale-Hubbell, is an accomplished editor and author, and he has taught environmental law at the USC School of Law. After more then 34 years in the South Carolina Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, he retired as a colonel. Dr. Finklea obtained his MS and Ph.D. in solid state physics in the University of South Carolina's physics department.

Jason Boxt received his BA in International Studies from the University of South Carolina in 1994 and his MA in Political Science from Columbia University in 1999. He lived with his wife, Rosalie, in Israel from 1997 to 1998 where he did graduate work in political science and Israeli politics at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Upon returning to the United States Jason worked for Roper Starch Worldwide, a national market research firm, and later became a vice president for Global Strategy Group, a Democratic strategic and public opinion research firm. In 2004, the political trade magazine Campaigns and Elections named Jason a "rising star." He recently joined the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as the national political deputy director in March, 2006.

Thomas Strange has an extensive background in materials science and is the author of 34 patents and numerous papers over the last two decades, covering all aspects of capacitor development. Following his undergrdaute degree in physics at the University of South Carolina, he joined Philips Components as a member of the research staff. He has participated in or led the research activity involving development of electrochemical and AC film capacitors, and the development of the first medical-grade flat capacitor for implantable defibrillators. He was named Creative Innovator of the Year for North American Philips Corporation in 1985. In 2001 Thomas and his research team were awarded the 2001 InnoVision Award for technology development in South Carolina and in 2002 he was appointed economic ambassador for Pickens County by Governor Jim Hodges.