The 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards

An inspiration to all, decorated war hero and decisive community leader Denis McKinnon Sr., is known as a supportive mentor, loyal friend, and dedicated family man, and of course, a Pensacola State College Pirate.

After a bright start at PSC, McKinnon entered the U.S. Marine Corps Aviation Program in 1961, quickly earning the Naval Aviator Designation. McKinnon’s military career was replete with achievement and success. He served two tours in Vietnam, earning over 30 personal combat decorations during his 20 years as a naval aviator, including a Purple Heart and a Meritorious Service Medal, and was honored with a selection as aide to President Gerald Ford during the Michigan politician’s appointment as the House of Representatives minority leader.

In parallel with his many military achievements, McKinnon pushed himself to continually pursue higher education. His studies at PSC enabled him to experience success. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, followed by a Master of Business Administration from the University of West Florida, and finally postgraduate studies at Nova Southeastern University.

Even though he traveled the world, McKinnon never forgot his roots. In 1981, after retiring from his distinguished military career, he returned to Pensacola. McKinnon immediately began establishing himself as a community leader, serving as president of First State Bank Shares and First State Bank and its subsequent transition to Wells Fargo. He was recognized as the Kiwanis Pensacola Business Leader of the Year, and was the recipient of two PACE Awards — 1989 Business Leader of the Year and 2004 Spirit of Pensacola. He served as the president of the Sacred Heart Foundation and of the United Service Organization. He truly is a pillar of the community.

Another recipient of McKinnon’s vision and generosity is his alma mater, PSC. He developed and built the PSC childcare center and served as a member of the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees.

Continuing his legacy through family, McKinnon and his wife of 56 years, Maureen, have raised three children, Denise, Denis Jr., and Darin, and have seven grandchildren.

For a lifetime, McKinnon has demonstrated the drive, dedication and courage integral to the success of our college and our community. His is the spirit that exemplifies the greatness to which we all aspire.

Tom Vaughn credits PSC with helping him learn how to earn his way out of a challenging and disadvantaged childhood.

Vaughn grew up in a house without air conditioning or telephone service, with only a small black-and-white television for entertainment. At times, even food was scarce.

Despite growing up without creature comforts, Vaughn describes his parents and extended family as close and supportive. He kept a positive outlook and made the best of his situation.

Through the years of unrelenting challenges and obstacles, something inside Vaughn kept him going. He determined that he would not allow his past to predict his future.

Though many avoided the draft, he courageously accepted it as an opportunity to serve his country and to acquire knowledge and skills. Vaughn enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at age 17, balancing his duties with his studies. Sometimes he was forced to retake a class because of numerous deployments. This only served to increase his determination to obtain a college education.

While at John Hancock, Vaughn was able to help others achieve financial success. His early years with Northwestern Mutual were spent juggling career and single parenthood. Still, among other activities, he made time to coach his children’s sports teams and serve as a Boy Scouts Scoutmaster.

Vaughn has served on many boards and donated his time, talent and resources to many charities and organizations, including the Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Ronald McDonald House, and Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Helping others succeed by paying it forward has become one of his life’s primary goals. It all started with improving his odds with a college education and by continuously overcoming challenges.

Vaughn is married to Beverly and has three adult children.

During her entire professional life, Cherry M. Fitch has dedicated her talent and energy to the enrichment and growth of her hometown, Gulf Breeze, Florida. Through her career, volunteer work and organizational memberships, Fitch has built a legacy of public service and advocacy for education.

Following her father’s advice to begin her education at PSC — ranked as the No. 1 community college in the country at that time — Fitch enrolled in her local community college. At PSC, Fitch found a supportive and inspiring environment that bolstered her confidence and solidified her commitment to the pursuit of higher education.

After receiving a master’s in education, Fitch embarked on a career path that led her to serve as a high school teacher, guidance counselor, principal, realtor, city councilwoman, and ultimately mayor of Gulf Breeze.

The accolades and awards she has garnered at each level of her career are a testament to Fitch’s leadership, integrity and ability to inspire others. Upon retirement from Gulf Breeze High School, Fitch’s passion for higher education inspired the local community to create a scholarship in her honor, thereby continuing her legacy in perpetuity.

For Fitch, retirement meant the beginning of a second career in real estate which has enabled her to continue the pursuit of hometown growth and enrichment. By keeping in touch with new community members — often young professionals with growing families — Fitch’s real estate career positions her to guide the next generation of Gulf Breeze residents to the many community resources available.

As a champion of her community, Fitch’s lifetime of service to her beloved hometown has ensured its future as a strong and viable city and a desired destination for families and business.

For Jarl “J.T.” Young, his odyssey of enduring success didn’t begin by looking forward but by looking up at the stars during an elementary school field trip to the PSC Planetarium.

His love of learning was passed down from his sister, who used an improvised driveway chalkboard to teach him math. She also inspired her younger brother to retrace her steps as a dual-enrollee at PSC where he studied pre-engineering.

The College has always been a family tradition. It began with his parents, who contributed to WSRE, and his uncle, who taught here. His wife, Deidre served 12 years on the College’s Board of Trustees, and the couple’s sons began their educations at PSC. The Young family has benefited from the community atmosphere and quality education the College offers.

PSC set Young on the path to the University of Florida, the University of West Florida, and finally Harvard Business School. His leadership acumen and public service have qualified him as a lifetime achiever.

A graduate of Leadership Pensacola and Leadership Florida, Young served as a gubernatorial appointee on the Judicial Nominating Commission for Florida’s First Judicial Circuit.

In 2008, he was awarded the Gulf Power Company Leadership Award. In 2017, he received the PACE Community Leader of the Year Award, and with his usual humility credited others for his success.

Young has served on numerous community boards and chaired the Chief Judge’s Children’s Council Fatherhood Advocacy Committee.

In 2018, he was presented with Pensacola’s MLK Living the Dream Award, where he was recognized as a resident who embodies the American dream that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., envisioned in his inspirational “I Have a Dream” speech.

After a nationwide search in 2018, Young was appointed president and CEO of the Memphis (Tennessee) Light, Gas, and Water Division.

A man of strong faith, Young considers it a blessing to be able to serve his community through mentoring, volunteering, and living a life of integrity.

Lane Harper, President, Pensacola State College Alumni Association

This year marks the College’s 70th anniversary. At this time in our history, it is my extreme honor and good fortune to serve as President of the PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors. Following in the footsteps of past alumni association presidents, I am privileged to work alongside a group of dedicated, enthusiastic and engaged Alumni Association Board members.

When we reorganized in 2013, we set out to offer valuable career networking events, provide opportunities for alumni to join with our Board of Directors and members and reconnect with the College. With our new directives and support from College leadership, we serve more than 110,000 graduates of Pensacola State College. Together, with our sponsors, patrons and contributors, our combined efforts give back to the College in ways that engage and recognize outstanding alumni and support scholarships for deserving students.

We remain dedicated to building on our traditions and committed to investing in our future. Pensacola State College has a rich history of visionary leadership, student involvement and caring faculty. With these inaugural alumni awards, we celebrate that history and establish a new tradition for the students and graduates of tomorrow.

To understand the impact that PSC alumni have had on their communities, the country and their lasting legacies, consider our 2019 honorees who are being recognized for career achievement, lifetime service and community contributions. We sincerely appreciate the tremendous support from our scholarship contributors, event sponsors and volunteers. As we look ahead, we invite all to participate in future endeavors.

Again, on behalf of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, we thank you for making this all possible. In partnership with PSC, our alumni and community leaders, we are excited to recognize the achievements of our outstanding alumni and celebrate their accomplishments now and in the years to come.