Bellarmine University will honor seven exceptional alumni and friends at its annual Knight of Excellence dinner on Thursday, September 4, in Knights Hall. 

The event celebrates the enduring impact of individuals whose lives and work reflect Bellarmine’s mission to educate students in mind, body and spirit – preparing them for meaningful lives, rewarding careers, ethical leadership and service to improve the human condition. 

The 2025 Knight of Excellence honorees are leaders in education, business, healthcare, arts, athletics and community advocacy. They share a commitment to service, excellence, and the values at the heart of a Bellarmine education. 

Knight of Excellence is an invitation-only event for Bellarmine’s most loyal donors. To learn more about the President’s Society donor level or event sponsorship opportunities, visit /kofe. Houchens Insurance Group is the event’s 2025 presenting sponsor. 

Meet the 2025 Knight of Excellence Honorees 

Coach Scotty Davenport 2025 Knight of Knights Award Coach Scott Davenport led the Bellarmine men’s basketball program from 2005 to 2025, guiding the program to national prominence over 20 seasons. Under his leadership, the Knights won the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship and made multiple Final Four appearances before successfully transitioning to NCAA Division I beginning in 2020. In 2022, he became the first Bellarmine coach to win an Atlantic Sun Conference tournament championship.

Known for his relentless preparation, heartfelt mentorship, and deep love for the game, Coach Davenport has inspired generations of student-athletes. At the time Bellarmine transitioned to Division I, the Knights held the longest current streak of consecutive NCAA Tournament qualifications with 12, and five of his players were named to All-American squads. His impact extends well beyond the hardwood, shaping Bellarmine’s national identity and community pride. 

Bill Rybak '73 Alumnus of the Year Bill Rybak has been an energetic and devoted Bellarmine supporter for decades. A 1973 graduate, he has led and volunteered with the Bellarmine Boosters Club, helped coordinate countless Bingo fundraisers, and championed the return of basketball to Knights Hall in 2024 through the Return to the Highlands campaign. Bill’s dedication to Bellarmine Athletics has been recognized through his induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame.

Alongside his wife Kaelin, who also graduated from Bellarmine and worked for many years in alumni relations, Bill has built a legacy of service that inspires the Bellarmine community. The Rybak President’s Hospitality Suite in Knights Hall is named in the couple’s honor. 

Colette Dumstorf '59  Scarlet & Silver Society A devoted educator, principal, and lifelong advocate for Catholic education, Colette Dumstorf began teaching the same month she earned her degree from Ursuline College, which merged with Bellarmine in 1968. She served as principal at three Louisville Catholic schools and mentored the next generation of educators at Spalding University. Her impact has extended through her family’s legacy: all six of her children and four grandchildren are college graduates, including two generations of Bellarmine alumni.

A longtime member of the Bellarmine Women’s Council and supporter of student scholarships, Colette was honored with the Presentation Academy Tower Award and will celebrate 70 years of marriage in November 2025. 

Dr. Daniel “Dan” L. Bauer Horrigan Service Award A Bellarmine faculty member since 1995, Dr. Dan Bauer is Professor of Finance and Director of the Sports Administration Program, which he founded. He served as Dean of the Rubel School of Business for 15 years, leading the school to the prestigious AACSB International Accreditation. Nationally recognized for his research on generational financial trends, Dr. Bauer is beloved for the deep, lifelong connections he fostered with students, alumni, and colleagues.

He credits Bellarmine with giving him a career “beyond his wildest dreams,” and sees this honor as a chance to join a legacy of Bellarmine mentors who helped shape his path. 

Ken Clay '60 Gallery of Distinguished Graduates Ken Clay is a trailblazer in the arts and cultural community of Louisville. A Bellarmine graduate and founder of Legacies Unlimited, Ken has led or launched countless initiatives celebrating Black art, music, and heritage. As former Vice President of Programming at the Kentucky Center for the Arts, he introduced series like the Midnite Ramble and World Rhythms. He’s the co-author of two books documenting Louisville’s Black cultural legacy and has been honored with numerous awards, including the Governor’s Community Arts Award and the Louisville Fund for the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2025, he was named a “Hometown Hero” in Louisville. 

Gloria Ising '85, '87, '01 Gallery of Distinguished Graduates Gloria Ising is a seasoned healthcare executive, legal nurse consultant, and longtime leader in long-term care operations. A three-time Bellarmine alumna, she has held senior leadership roles at companies including Trilogy Health Services and Northpoint Senior Services, overseeing operations across Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. Through GMI & Associates, she has also served the legal community for more than 14 years. A committed volunteer, Gloria has served on the board of Family Scholar House and with organizations like the Churchill Downs Backside Learning Center.

Her strategic leadership and compassion continue to shape care in the field of healthcare administration across the region. 

Robbie Tindall '04, '12 Gallery of Distinguished Graduates Robbie Tindall is Vice President of Health Quality & Stars at Humana and a highly-regarded healthcare executive known for driving transformational initiatives. A two-time Bellarmine graduate, Robbie has served more than 12 years on Bellarmine’s Board of Overseers, including as chair, and is active on several nonprofit boards including Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Muhammad Ali Center, and Family Scholar House.

A past “40 Under 40” honoree and Bingham Fellow, Robbie proposed to his wife (also a Bellarmine alumna) on the campus bridge and now shares his passion for Bellarmine with their four sons.