Baylor's Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Outstanding Alumni

by Cheycara Latimer, student newswriter

Baylor University's chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), a national leadership honor society, recognized outstanding Baylor alumni Walter Abercrombie, Joann Dyson Avinger, Jill Manning and Dr. Brett Younger during the annual "Men and Women of Merit Week Banquet" held March 26 at Baylor.
Abercrombie received both his bachelor and master of science degrees from Baylor. A member of the football team, he became Baylor's all-time leading rusher, helping lead Baylor to the Southwest Conference Championship in 1980. After a professional football career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, Abercrombie returned to Baylor to complete his master's degree and also joined Baylor's athletic academic support staff. He currently serves as director of education and special projects for the American Football Coaches Association.
Avinger holds two degrees from Baylor, a undergraduate degree and a master of music degree in sacred music. Her career has included teaching, medical art at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. She is a member of the Houston Symphony Chorale and a community volunteer. She also writes and speaks Hebrew.
Manning holds a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting and computer information systems from Baylor. She began her career with KPMG LLP in Dallas, where she was senior manager. She currently serves as vice president and chief financial officer for Efficient Networks Inc. She also serves as a member of the Baylor Advisory Board for the Hankamer School of Business.
Younger received a bachelor of arts degree in religion from Baylor and master's and doctoral degrees from Southern Seminary. After serving as pastor of Lake Shore Baptist Church for five years, he was recently named senior pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Ft. Worth. He has published numerous sermons, articles and curricula for both adults and youth, and his ongoing columns appear in Baptists Today and the Baptist Standard.
The idea for the banquet originated in 1976 with Dr. Ralph Lynn, then professor of history, and Dr. Herbert H. Reynolds, then executive vice president and faculty advisor for ODK. The banquet is held each year to increase the student body's awareness of the achievements of Baylor graduates.