The “Up-and-Coming Alumni Award” is presented to alumni aged 40 and under who are “Changing the World” through notable achievements in a profession or occupation, impactful contributions to the community or church, and/or outstanding service to the University. Nominations are submitted by fellow alumni or Andrews faculty/staff and approved by the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Congratulations to this year’s recipients!
Gary B. Howell-Walton (BA/BA ’10)
Gary B. Howell-Walton graduated from Andrews University with Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and Spanish studies in 2010. He went on to receive his master’s degree in social work, community organization, planning and administration from the University of Southern California in 2014 and worked as a clinician in a nonprofit setting prior to law school.
Gary joined WilmerHale as a summer associate in 2018. During law school, he served as a judicial intern for the Honorable George A. O’Toole Jr. of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and as a legal intern with the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee. Gary received his Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law in 2019.
He is currently a senior associate whose practice covers a variety of complex litigation matters, including commercial disputes, regulatory enforcement matters and internal investigations. He has experience in all phases of civil litigation, including pleadings, discovery, trial and appeals. Gary maintains an active pro bono practice and has represented clients seeking support relating to housing, public benefits and immigration status.
Ehren McLarty (BS ’11)
Ehren McLarty graduated from Andrews University with a Bachelor of Science in animal science, summa cum laude. In 2015, she completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California (UC), Davis, College of Veterinary Medicine, a highly competitive veterinary school with one of the lowest acceptance rates in the U.S. After graduation, she was accepted for a one-year rotating internship at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. Following the internship, Ehren returned to UC Davis to complete a four-year residency in diagnostic imaging. Upon completing her residency in 2020, Ehren joined the faculty at UC Davis as assistant professor of clinical diagnostic imaging.
Ehren feels blessed to have grown up in a Christian home and has been a member of the Woodland Seventh-day Adventist Church for 12 years, where she enjoys serving in music and children’s ministries.
While an undergraduate student at Andrews, Ehren was a teaching assistant for the Foundation of Biology labs for 2.5 years and a member of the active pre-veterinary club. As an alumnus, she has supported the Department of Sustainable Agriculture.
Stephen Mayer (BSE ’10)
Stephen Mayer graduated from Andrews University with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 2010. He was president of the Andrews University student chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers and was involved, for two years, with helping Andrews’ student chapter participate in the annual Baja SAE Competition.
While attending Andrews, Stephen stayed busy and worked hard at the welding department, the Dairy and the cafeteria.
Since graduating from Andrews University, Stephen has worked at Heritage Academy in Tennessee and the M+W Group in Chicago, Illinois. He is currently the mechanical team manager at Arcadis in Albany, New York.
Stephen was part of the first group of students from Andrews University’s School of Engineering to complete the requirements for and be certified as a Professional Engineer (PE). Stephen has stayed connected with Andrews and has referred multiple graduates, who have been hired. He is also very involved with his local church, Joy of Troy in New York, where he has served as head deacon and clerk.