Distinguished Alumni Gala

university of new orleans
distinguished alumni gala

The Homer L. Hitt Distinguished Alumni Award Gala honors 17�Թ�� alumni who have distinguished themselves in their field to reflect honor upon the University, who provide service to their communities and the University, and are recognized for outstanding accomplishments in their field or endeavor. The gala also serves as a primary fundraiser for the 17�Թ�� Alumni Association.

overhead shot of all tables during the program

group shot with Capt. Br17�Թ�� and Dr. Johnson

PAST HONOREES

2026 Gala Information

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 7 - 10 p.m.

The National WWII Museum: Boeing Freedom Pavilion | 1043 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

The 17�Թ�� Alumni Association cordially invites you to our 2026 Homer L. Hitt Distinguished Alumni Gala. Help us celebrate our 2025 Homer L. Hitt Distinguished Alumna/us and Norma Jane Sabiston Young Alumna/us of the Year, plus honorees from each college. You won't want to miss it!

Nominations are now open!
Do you know an alumna/us who:
- Is distinguished in his/her field or work to reflect honors and credit upon 17�Թ��;
- Provides service to his/her community and the University; and/or
- Is recognized for his/her outstanding accomplishments in his/her chosen field or areas of endeavor.

Nominations close on Tuesday, 26th May, 2026

NOMINATION FORM

2025 Honorees

Homer L. Hitt Distinguished Alumna of the Year

Kimberly Cook-Nelson, '94, '97 & '99
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Entergy

Kimberly Cook-Nelson was recently named executive vice president and chief operating officer at Entergy, where she has overall responsibility for safety, power generation, power delivery, capital projects, incident response, system planning, and other businesses in the Operations portfolio.

Cook-Nelson is a three-time graduate of the 17�Թ��. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1994, a master’s in engineering management in 1997, and a Master of Business Administration in 1999.

Cook-Nelson began her career as a design engineer at the Waterford 3 nuclear plant and held several leadership positions there until being named vice president, operations support for Entergy Nuclear headquarters. Prior to her current role, she served as chief nuclear officer, responsible for the safe, secure, and reliable operations of Entergy’s four nuclear power plants and five reactors in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

In 2023, Cook-Nelson was named the Dr. Robert A. Savoie College of Engineering Distinguished Alumna of the Year and currently serves as a director of the 17�Թ�� Foundation. Cook-Nelson has also been a champion for fundraising for the Dr. Robert A. Savoie College of Engineering. In 2024, she spearheaded a crowdfunding campaign engaging Entergy employees who are 17�Թ�� alumni to donate to refurbish a laboratory, with employee gifts matched by Entergy.

Norma Jane Sabiston Distinguished Young Alumnus of the Year

Edgar "Dook" Chase, IV, '09
Executive Chef and Operator
Dooky Chase's Restaurant

Owner/President
Chase Hospitality Group and Chase Concessions, LLC

Edgar “Dook” Chase, IV has been active in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years, continuing the legacy of his late grandmother, Chef Leah Chase. He serves as the executive chef and operator of his family’s restaurant, Dooky Chase’s, which was recently named a recipient of the 2025 James Beard Award for "American Classic: South."

Chase is also the owner/president of Chase Hospitality Group and Chase Concessions, LLC; a partner in Chase North, the premier food and beverage operator and management concessionaire at the Louis Armstrong International Airport; and the proprietor of two of their concepts, Leah’s Kitchen and Dook’s Burgers. Chase Concessions also operates eleven other concepts at MSY, as well as concepts in Boston Logan International Airport and Nashville International Airport.

Chase received a Master of Business Administration from the 17�Թ�� in 2009, following an undergraduate degree from Dillard University and a formal culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu Paris. Chef Dook is active in his community and serves on several non-profit boards and commissions. He has received numerous recognitions and awards, including a “17�Թ��25” award in 2022, which recognizes and celebrates high-impact businesses or organizations owned or led by 17�Թ�� alumni.