Distinguished Alumni/Alumnus of the Year

2025 Alumnus of the Year

Mike Shaw, a 2007 MCA alum, is an award-winning videographer and storyteller. He earned a B.S. in Communication – Broadcast Journalism from Wingate University and now serves as Associate Director of Social Media Video at Wake Forest University. With a background in journalism and higher education marketing, his videos have garnered over 10 million views and international recognition, including a CASE Circle of Excellence Gold Award and multiple MarCom Awards. His work has been featured on national broadcasts such as Bloomberg News, CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. Beyond his professional success, Mike is deeply involved in his church and community, serving on the production team at Piedmont Chapel and assisting small churches in building and maintaining their online presence. He is a devoted husband to his wife, Meredith, and a proud father to their daughter, Graylyn. Mike credits MCA for instilling in him the values of integrity, excellence, and a passion for making a difference.

Alumnus of the Year Archives

Distinguished Alumni Award 2025

Josiah Prince graduated from MCA in 2005 and quickly began his music journey with the band Philmont. After signing a major record deal in 2007, the band toured extensively across the country and internationally until their disbandment in 2012. Shortly after, Josiah joined the acclaimed Christian rock band Disciple, where he has spent over a decade performing hundreds of shows worldwide and contributing to numerous #1 rock radio singles. In 2025, Josiah earned a Grammy nomination for producing Honor & Glory's impactful single “Firm Foundation (He Won’t).” He is also the owner and operator of The Ranch, a full-service recording studio based in Nashville, Tennessee. He has had many other career highlights which include: 3× Dove Award nominee, 2× Grizzly Award winner (Songwriter of the Year, Producer of the Year), Producer and songwriter of 24 #1 radio singles, over 80 million streams on Spotify and YouTube. Josiah splits his time between touring with Disciple and working with artists in the studio, pursuing both with deep passion and purpose. “I love pretty much everything about my career,” he says. “Whether I’m on the road playing rock music and ministering through the message of Disciple, or at home writing and producing songs for artists who want to inspire, I feel truly blessed.” As a husband and father of two, Josiah is committed to making Christ the center of his family and relationships. He strives to stay open to the Spirit—whether he's encountering someone on the road or sitting down to create. “As an artist, I’m continually inspired by the ultimate Creator,” he adds, “and I consider it an honor to join Him in the process of creativity.”

Distinguished Alumni Athlete Award 2025

Tyrell Nelson, a 2013 Metrolina alum, is a professional basketball player in Russia. While at MCA under Coach Michael Wilson, he earned NCISAA 3A All-State honors and MAC All-Conference honors averaging 21.3 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game as a senior. He also scored over 1,000 points. Tyrell signed to play division one basketball at Gardner-Webb University where over four years he was named to the: Big South All-Freshman Team; North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) All-State Second Team and Big South All-Academic Team as a sophomore; Preseason Big South All-Conference, Big South All-Academic Team, and Second Team All-Conference as a junior; Preseason Big South All-Conference Team and Big South Second Team All-Conference as a senior. At the end of his collegiate career, Tyrell posted 25 double-doubles and broke into the top 10 Gardner-Webb’s record books. He left Gardner-Webb as the 5th best all-time rebounder with 870 rebounds, and 8th best all-time in scoring with 1,651 points. His point total also ranked first in Gardner-Webb's Division I history. Since graduating with honors from Gardner-Webb with a Bachelor of Communications in 2017, Tyrell has played professionally overseas in Georgia, Finland, Belgium, Croatia, and Russia where he has won multiple cup championships. He is grateful to God that he has been able to travel and explore the world while providing for his family by playing the game he loves. Although it is hard traveling and being gone from friends and family for long periods of time, knowing he is where God wants him to be gives him peace and strength through the tumultuous times.

Distinguished Alumni Award 2025

Sara Grace Todd Davis graduated from Metrolina in 2015 and is now a highly accomplished journalist with an impressive career spanning the media and public relations sectors. Most recently, she served as the Executive Producer at Emmy Award-winning WSET-TV in Lynchburg, Virginia, the same station that gave her a chance in 2020, shortly after she graduated from Liberty University. Sara Grace honed her craft as a producer for the morning news at WBTV, Charlotte’s longstanding and respected news station. She also made significant contributions as a publicist for The Daily Wire, playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Daily Wire+ during her tenure at the conservative media company. Outside of the media world, Sara Grace has proven herself to be a passionate advocate for public health policy. Following the unexpected loss of her father to Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in October 2024, she and her mother took their fight to Capitol Hill, lobbying in Washington, D.C., to raise awareness and push for advancements in research, treatment, and resources for families affected by this rare and devastating disease.

Distinguished Alumni Service/Ministry Award 2025

Sarah Lewallen is a 2009 graduate and post high school has had the incredible privilege of dedicating 12 years to ministry, a journey that began in 2013 when she joined the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association—just a few months before she and her husband also a 2009 MCA alum, Caleb, were married. Over the years, Sarah has been deeply involved in crafting creative campaigns, developing exhibits, and contributing to a variety of impactful projects that have furthered the mission of sharing the Gospel. Reflecting on her experience, Sarah shared, "It's been a privilege to share the Gospel in such meaningful ways." Her personal journey has also been one of faith, perseverance, and transformation. After years of struggling with infertility, Sarah and Caleb’s lives were forever changed when they welcomed their two middle daughters into their home through a kinship foster placement in 2018. Just months later, they brought their two older children—now their eldest—into their family as well. The adoption of their four children was finalized in 2021, a milestone that was soon followed by the joyful news of Sarah expecting their youngest child, Emmie. In addition to her work in ministry, Sarah continues to freelance, balancing her professional life while homeschooling her children, creating a rich and fulfilling family life rooted in faith and service.