The TCU Alumni Association will present its 2006 alumni awards at a reception and dinner April 28 at The Fort Worth Club downtown.

The seven honorees are acclaimed novelist Sue Monk Kidd '70; Roy C. III and Joan Pratt Snodgrass '69; Jon Rex and Ann Jones; Steffen E. Palko; Tom E. Hill '69; Pam Roach Thomas '80; and DeReall R. Moore '06.

Sue Monk Kidd is the winner of the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Her prize-winning first novel, The Secret Life of Bees, was published in 2002. It has become a genuine literary phenomenon, having sold more than 4.5 million copies worldwide and spending two years on The New York Times bestseller list. Her second novel, The Mermaid Chair, was published a year ago.

Roy and Joan Snodgrass, recipients of the Valuable Alumnus/Alumna Award, have enriched their alma mater with 36 years of service since graduation. They are members of the Chancellor's Council, Centurions of the Clark Society and Partners in Ministry of Brite Divinity School. Roy has been a TCU Trustee since 1998 and is also chair of the Brite Board of Trustees.

The Honorary Alumnus Award goes to Jon Rex and Ann Jones of Albany, TX. Although both are graduates of University of Oklahoma, they are longtime supporters of TCU.

Palko, recipient of the Royal Purple Award, has long believed that improving public education is one of the nation's most important goals. Retired president and co-founder of XTO Energy, he and his wife have made the naming gift for the Steve and Betsy Palko Building for the School of Education. Groundbreaking for the School of Education complex is Friday, April 28.

Attorney Tom Hill will receive the Alumni Service Award. He has been actively involved in the Alumni Association and with TCU Athletics for the past 25 years.

The President's Service Award is being given to Pam Roach of San Antonio, executive vice president/marketing for Frost Bank. She has been president of the TCU Alumni Association, has served two separate terms as a TCU Trustee and been involved in two chancellor search committees.

Distinguished Student Award goes to DeReall R. Moore. He will graduate next month with a political science major, minors in business and economics and a nearly flawless GPA.