LCU Alumni Impact Our World
Lubbock Christian University (LCU) and the Office of Alumni Relations recently celebrated the 2025 Alumni Award recipients, honoring a remarkable group of graduates whose lives reflect exceptional service, leadership, and Christ-centered influence. Presented annually, these awards recognize distinguished alumni who are making meaningful contributions in their professions, communities, and church families—impacting the world while continuing to embody the mission and values of LCU.
Dr. John Delony (’00)
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in recognition of significant professional and personal achievement.
Delony is a mental health expert with two PhDs and over 20 years of experience in crisis response, counseling, and higher education. He is a best-selling author, host of the podcast The Dr. John Delony Show, and co-host of the nationally syndicated radio program The Ramsey Show. He is married to Shelia (Brown, ’01).
Dr. Stephanie (Vander-Plas) Hale (’11)
Young Alumnus of the Year
Dr. Hale, MD, MEd, FAAP, is a neonatologist and clinician-educator at Texas Children's Hospital and an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. She is passionate about clinical education, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Dr. Scott McCall (’94)
Gary & Pat Estep Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the sciences.
Dr. McCall received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1998, then went on to practice in Muleshoe, TX and Artesia, NM prior to moving to Granbury, TX, in 2005. He served as co-owner of The Pet Hospital of Granbury until 2021 and now serves as their Medical Director. He specializes in companion animal soft tissue surgery, orthopedic surgery, and dentistry. An active volunteer in his community, McCall also dedicates time to mentoring veterinary medical students. He is married to Ginger (White, ’94).
Philip and Jan (Presnall) Nichols (’76 & ’77)
K.C. Moser Award in recognition of excellence and outstanding service to the Kingdom of God.
Together they have been involved in a variety of areas from a career in ministry to short-term mission trips and from leading marriage seminars to volunteering with non-profit organizations and community involvement. Married for 47 years, the Nichols have devoted their life together in service to the church. They currently are actively involved in the Garden Ridge Church of Christ in Lewisville, TX, where they have served since 1981.
J. Tom Washburn (’83)
Lifetime Service Award to honor a life of significant service to the Kingdom of God.
Washburn has been in church ministry since 1981, where he began his ministry career as an intern at Broadway church of Christ in Lubbock. Since that time, he and his wife Julie have served churches in Ft. Worth, TX; Portales, NM; Lubbock, TX; Enid, OK; and currently Brownwood, TX, where he has served as pulpit minister since 2009.
Bob and Brenda (McNair) Cass (’74 & ’73)
F.W. Mattox Award in recognition of excellence and outstanding service to the University.
The Casses’ support of and dedication to LCU spans more than 50 years. As proud alumni, their passion and service are reflected in their community leadership and efforts to preserve LCU’s history. Together, they have devoted countless hours to the university and worked to advance LCU’s visibility throughout the greater Lubbock community.
