Alumni Awards
celebrating alumni from every era
The Alumni Awards honor alumni for exceptional achievement and significant contributions to their profession, community, society, or university. Awards are presented annually at an event during Homecoming weekend.
Our 2024 Alumni Award recipients (L-R): Lynn Eury, Ashlee Wagner ’11, Judy Newton Scurry ’68, Roy Dixon ’15, Jackson Cooper ’16, Mary Lib Manning Slate ’61, Phaedra J. Grove ’92, ’95 MPA, Alice Joyner Irby ’54, and Tom Waldron ’90.
2024 Alumni Award Recipients
Alice Joyner Irby ’54
McIver Lifetime Achievement Award
Alice Irby’s life and career trajectory exemplify her dedication to social progress. From her pioneering role as the first female Vice President of Student Services at Rutgers University to her leading role in creating the Job Corps during the Johnson Administration, she has consistently championed opportunity. Her tenure at Educational Testing Service, culminating in her role as President of The Chauncey Group International, underscored her capacity for leadership. As her autobiography, “South Toward Home: Tales of an Unlikely Journey,” makes clear, her pioneering work and zest for greater access to opportunities make for a remarkable life story.
Phaedra J. Grove ’92, ’95 MPA
Minerva Award for Distinguished Service
Phaedra J. Grove’s commitment to service is evidenced by her devotion to her alma mater, where she received both her graduate and undergraduate degrees. At UNCG, she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, whose mission includes cultivating and encouraging high scholastic and ethical standards. Now Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Arch Capital Group Ltd., she has remained active in the sorority. She served as chapter president from 2009 to 2012 and was an establishing donor of the Pearls of Promise – Nu Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Scholarship Endowment, for which she solicited donations from other AKA sisters. Other service to UNCG includes her time on the Black Alumni Council, the Board of Visitors, the Foundation Board, and the establishment of the Phaedra J. and Pecolia J. Grove Endowed Scholarship to honor her mother’s legacy.
Tom Waldron ’90
Professional Achievement Award
With decades of experience in the international apparel industry, Tom Waldron is Chief Operating Officer of Kontoor Brands, a global lifestyle apparel company that includes Wrangler and Lee. Tom received his BS in business management from UNCG’s Bryan School of Business and Economics in 1990. As an alumnus, he gives back to the University through student mentoring, annual philanthropic contributions, and board service, including six years on the Bryan School Advisory Board. And of course, as a “G Rugger” alumnus of the men’s rugby club, he’s a feature at Rugby Reunion events and a donor to the Frank Lund Rugby Club fund.
Judy Newton Scurry ’68
WC Legacy Award
Judy Newton Scurry embodies the values of the Woman’s College era through her appreciation for higher education, her intellectual curiosity, her devotion to service, and her passion for environmental activism. A first-generation college student, she earned a biology degree at UNCG and worked in several hospital laboratories before becoming a classroom teacher. The Scurry Family Scholarship in UNCG’s Lloyd International Honors College honors the sacrifices Judy’s family made so she could attend college. To date, the scholarship has supported 17 students.
Mary Lib Manning Slate ’61
WC Legacy Award
At Woman’s College, Mary Elizabeth Manning Slate participated in numerous organizations, including the court of social regulations, elections board, student legislature, and student judicial board. Post-graduation, she gave back as chair of the UNCG Annual Alumni Giving Drive of Forsyth County. She presently serves on UNCG’s Alumni Leadership Board (Emeritus) and Board of Visitors. The Mary Lib Manning Slate Endowed Scholarship, Established by her husband, Marvin, supports UNCG students majoring in economics or the liberal arts with a focus in business. To date, the scholarship has benefitted 15 students.
Jackson Cooper ’16
Young Alumni Award
Jackson Cooper is the Executive Director of the American Genre Film Archive. He’s also a conductor, a published author, and a producer of live concerts, theatre performances, and film retrospectives. In 2023, he was named one of the “Top 30 Global Arts Professionals” by Musical America magazine and was recognized for paving the way for “The Future of Arts Fundraising” by Southern Theatre magazine. His first book, “A Kid’s Book about Kindness,” was published in 2023. As a faculty member, he teaches “Fundraising in the Arts” in UNCG’s Arts Administration program. A thoughtful leader and visionary, his grace, kindness, and drive make him a valuable asset to the communities he serves.
Roy Dixon ’15
Young Alumni Award
Combining passions for law, athletics, service, and the arts, Salisbury native Roy Dixon III is an example of excellence among today’s young alumni. At the Bryan School of Business and Economics, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics, with minors in business and political science. His academic record earned him membership in honor societies including Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Gamma Sigma, and Golden Chain. As an athlete on Men’s Golf, he was a two-time Academic All-American and two-time All-Southern Conference team member. His tenure as an associate attorney at McGuireWoods LLP in Charlotte as well as his role as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable William F. Kuntz in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York highlight his exceptional dedication to justice.
Ashlee Wagner ’11
Young Alumni Award
From a business administration major to Vice President, Senior Associate Practice Leader, at Charles Aris, Ashlee Wagner is making an indelible impact for her business and clients, as well as for our city and University. At her alma mater, she serves on the Bryan School Department of Management Advisory Board and is chair of the Bryan School Alumni Association Golf Tournament supporting the school’s scholarship program. In the past, she’s been a board member and secretary for the Bryan School Alumni Association.
Lynn Eury
Honorary Alumni Award
With roots on a Stanly County farm, Lynn Eury leveraged his electrical engineering major at NC State into a career at Carolina Power & Light. There, he rose through the ranks to Executive Vice President before his retirement from what had become Progress Energy. He has been a strong supporter of several other institutions of higher education, most notably UNCG, the alma mater of his wife, Faye ’54. UNCG’s Faye Young Eury and Lynn W. Eury Endowed Scholarship Fund has supported 17 Bryan School students since its inception in 2006. He and Faye each came from families of limited means, but they created a partnership based on strong, core values that has had a tremendous impact on many lives.
Alumni Award Descriptions
The UNCG Alumni Association established the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 to recognize extraordinary accomplishments by an alumna/nus of UNCG. This award is the highest honor bestowed upon an alumna/nus of UNCG, and recognizes those who have made significant professional achievements or have distinguished themselves through service to others.
The WC Legacy Award is given to alumni of either Woman’s College or UNCG. Emphasis is placed on characteristics that were important during the WC era, which included service, social or political activism. Each year, there will be a minimum of one recipient who attended Woman’s College 1934-1963.
The Minerva Award for Distinguished Service recognizes alumni who have given devotion, service, and visionary leadership to UNCG, the UNCG Alumni Association, academic colleges, or the Greensboro community at large.
The Young Alumni Award recognizes exceptional achievement and significant contributions made to the recipient’s profession, community, society, or the University. This award is given to UNCG alumni who are 40 years or younger when nominated.
The Professional Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement in any professional field. The award is given to alumni with records of notable career accomplishments and histories of outstanding contributions to their professions. These achievements have brought distinction to themselves, credit to the University, and benefit to their communities.
The Honorary Alumni Award is a special consideration bestowed on friends of UNCG who embody the Spartan spirit and have made significant contributions to the University’s welfare through loyal service and support. To discuss this opportunity, please contact us at [email protected].
Alumni Awards Archive
- 2023: C. Thomas Martin ’70
- 2021: Dr. JoAnne “Jo” Safrit ’57
- 2020: Carole Boston Weatherford ’92 MFA
- 2019: Linda Arnold Carlisle ’72
- 2017: Dr. Paula Myrick Short ’67
- 2016: Kelly Cherry ’67 MFA
- 2015: Dr. Margaret Bourdeaux Arbuckle ’74 MEd, ’82 PhD
- 2022: Jeff Collins ’84
- 2020: David B. Craft ’85
- 2019:
- Siddiga Ahmed ’16
- Erika B. Schlager ’81
- Richard Sele ’87
- Jana Welch Wagenseller ’76
- 2017:
- Lynn Kendrick Erdman ’77
- Karen T. McNeil-Miller ’80, ’81 MEd
- 2016:
- Rebecca Kasuboski Cook ’66
- David Huffine ’84
- 2015:
- Dr. Karrie G. Dixon ’00 MA
- Dr. Barbara Mitchell Parramore ’54
- 2014:
- Carolyn Burnette Ingram ’69
- Dr. Josephine Alexander Foster ’52, ’55 MEd, ’64 PhD
- 2013:
- Claudia Buchdahl Kadis ’65
- Beth Klinkscales McAllister ’63
- 2012: Mary-Owens Bell Fitzgerald ’55
- 2011:
- Patricia Gibson Garrett ’66
- Susan Whittington ’72, ’74 MEd
- 2010:
- Ann Phillips McCracken ’60
- Louise “Coffee” Maxwell Worth ’40
- 2009: Dr. Sarah Cowan ’65, ’81 PhD
- 2008:
- Dr. Sally Beaver Buckner ’53
- Sue Sigmon Williams ’58
- 2007:
- Dr. Frances Alexander Campbell ’55
- Dr. Jay A. Mancini, ’77 PhD
- 2006:
- Ernest J. Grant ’93 MSN
- Dr. Lynette Boney Wrenn ’49
- 2005:
- Patricia Rothrock ’45
- Dr. Ellen Strawbridge Yarborough ’55, ’83 PhD
- 2004:
- Dr. Cynthia Howard ’74
- Patricia Shore Clark ’58
- 2003:
- Rose Zimmerman Post ’48
- John L. “Jack” Pinnix ’69, ’75 MA
- 2002:
- Nancy Beam Funderburk Wells ’49
- Dr. Rita Hundley Pickler ’79, ’81 MSN
- 2001:
- Marilyn McCollum Moore ’49
- Linda Arnold Carlisle ’72
- 2000:
- Beatrice Goldman Fisher ’42
- Joyce Daughtry White ’60
- 1999:
- Dorothy Ficker Jenkins ’39
- Dr. Myrle Lutterloh Swicegood ’44, ’74 PhD
- 1998:
- Barbara Apostolacus Lipscomb ’49
- Betsy Bulluck Strandberg ’48
- Sue Sherrill Phillips ’33
- Catherine Bernhardt Safrit ’35
- 1997:
- Betsy Buford ’68
- Claudette Burroughs-White ’61
- Nancy Hill Campbell ’49
- Carolyn Black Ferree ’66
- Eleanor Dare Kennedy ’45
- 1996:
- Sarah Young Austin ’47
- Lois Elizabeth Frazier ’42
- Elizabeth “Bibbie” Yates King ’36
- Anne Lillian Pitoniak ’43
- Sarah Denny Williamson ’49
- 1995:
- Elizabeth JoAnne Smart Drane ’60
- Martha Ann Heafner Gaither ’53
- Barbara Jaylee Montague Mead ’51
- Mary Elizabeth Barwick Sink ’44
- 1994:
- Deane Lomax Crowell ’49
- Mary Elizabeth Keister ’34
- Mary Falls Peel McDonald ’42
- Betty Nance Smith ’48
- Jane Baucom Stephenson ’59
- 1993:
- Alice Smith Barkley ’78
- Julia “Judy” Bynum Barrett ’42
- Louise Stirewalt Reynolds ’42
- Faye West Warren ’41
- J. Nancy White ’46, ’63 PhD
- 1992:
- Elizabeth “Betty” Moore Bullard ’52
- Alice Wray Faucette Callahan ’52
- Elisabeth “Betty” Crawford Ervin ’50
- Martha Adams Fowler McNair ’49
- Edna Earle Richardson Watson ’40
- 1991:
- Ann Flack Boseman ’51
- Evon Welch Dean ’42C
- Frieda Boger Lane ’44
- Helen Fondren Lingle ’41, ’66 MEd
- Eloise Ward Phelps ’31
- 1990:
- Barbara Parrish ’48
- Cathy Stewart Vaughn ’49
- Kitty Rettew Bregman ’39
- Donna Hill Oliver ’78 MEd, ’95 PhD
- Elizabeth Parker McPherson ’51
- 1989:
- Yvonne Cheek ’67 MM
- Margaret Smith Hunt ’36, ’67 MEd
- Sina McGimpsey Reid ’65
- Phyllis Vreeland Roberts ’46
- Kay Yow ’74 MEd
- 1988:
- Lib Uzell Griffin ’38
- Hilda Weil Wallerstein ’26
- 1987:
- Trudy Rainey Creede ’39
- Lou Hardy Frye ’42
- Nell S. Smith ’51
- 1986:
- Betty Shipman Bennett ’46
- Meredith Mitchum Layer ’68
- Mercer Reeves Hubbard ’35
- Dot Kendall Kearns ’53, ’74 MEd
- Frances Newsom Miller ’42
- 1985:
- Cornelia Jones Privott ’20
- Mildred Templeton Miller ’33
- Elizabeth Reeves Lyon ’38
- Ada Markita Fisher ’70
- 1984:
- Hilda Wallerstein Fleisher ’51
- Ellen Sheffield Newbold ’55
- Mary Boney Sheats ’38
- 1983:
- Evelyn Shepherd Apple ’39
- Jane Bledsoe Davidson ’51
- Maud Gatewood ’54
- York Kiker ’39
- Sarah Hamilton Matheson ’24
- 1982:
- Marjorie Hood ’26
- Lee Kinard ’74 PhD
- 1981:
- Irby Shaw Walker ’36
- Lucy Spinks Keker ’38
- Nancy Hope Willis ’48
- 1980:
- Ellen Griffin ’40
- Martha Kirkland Walston ’43
- Celeste Ulrich ’46
- Maria Richardson Bliss ’55
- Neill McLeod ’57
- 1979:
- Susannah Thomas Watson ’39
- Jeanne Owen ’41
- Betty Dorton Thomas ’44
- Jessie Rae Osborne Scott ’51
- 1978:
- Nolie McDonald ’26
- Rose Pully ’40
- Marian Adams Smith ’49
- Sylvia Wilkinson ’62
- 1977:
- Clyde Fields ’12
- Margaret McConnell Holt ’30
- Betsy Ivey Sawyer ’46
- Jumela Boulus (Sister Mary Michel Boulus ) ’47
- Mary Jo Conrad Cresimore ’57
- 1976:
- Alma Rightsell Pinnix ’19
- Virginia Ward ’29
- Gladys Strawn Bullard ’39
- Jane Harris Armfield ’60
- Heather Ross Miller ’61
- 1975:
- Gladys Avery Tillett ’15
- Judge Susie Sharp
- Bennie Lee Craig Inman ’35
- Mildred Caroon Bailey ’40
- 1974:
- Charlesanna Fox ’30
- Isabelle Moseley Perry ’37
- 1973:
- Moffitt Sinclair Henderson ’12C
- Katherine Taylor ’28
- Mebane Holoman Burgwyn ’35
- 1972:
- Margaret Hayes ’19
- Sadie Molye Suggs ’21
- Helen Dunn Creasy Hunter ’22
- Ruth Clinard ’29
- Elizabeth Langford Davenport ’33
- Betty Brown Jester ’31 (Special Award)
- 1971:
- Kathrine Robinson Everett ’13
- Frances Gibson Satterfield ’28
- Elise Rouse Wilson ’43
- Bonnie Angelo Levy ’44
- Betty Ann Ragland Stanback ’46
- 1970:
- Sue Ramsey Johnston Ferguson ’18
- Mary D. Johnson ’19
- Juanita Kesler Henry ’20
- Reva Mitchell ’32
- Julia Watson Maulden ’33
- The Class of 1915
- 1969:
- Iris Holt McEwen ’14
- Lucy Cherry Crisp ’19
- Elizabeth Hinton Kittrell ’19
- Iola Parker ’23
- Frances Fowler Monds ’33
- 1968:
- Virginia Brown Douglas ’02
- Lula M. Disosway ’18
- Ruth C. Wilson
- Hermene Warlick Eichhorn ’26
- Annie Lee Singletary ’31
- 1967:
- Rosa Blakeney Parker ’16
- Euline Smith Weems ’17
- Julia Montgomery Street ’23
- Adelaide Fortune Holderness ’34
- Eleanor Southerland Powell ’42
- 1966:
- Emily Harris Preyer ’39
- Sadie McBrayer McCain ’16
- Juanita McDougald Melchior ’17
- 1965: Virginia Terrell Lathrop ’23
- 1964: Clara Booth Byrd ’13
- 1963: Jane Summerell ’10
- 1962: Emma Lewis Speight Morris ’00
- 1961: May Lovelace Tomlinson ’07
- 1960: Laura Weill Cone ’10
- 2023:
- Anne Stroud Taylor ’53
- Anne Hayes Tate ’68
- M. Jeffrey Colbert ’84, ’86
- 2022:
- Alice Garrett Brown ’65
- Susan McDonald ’67
- Ann Thomas ’57
- 2020: Agnes Johnson Price ’62
- 2019:
- Betty Flinchum ’57, ’63 MED
- Emile “Emmy” Mills ’62, ’65 MFA
- 2017:
- Betty Brooks ’52
- Manuel Dudley ’94, ’97 MSES
- Jeannie Daniels Felts ’68
- Gayle Hartis ’65
- Roger Joyner ’73 MS
- Emily Herring Wilson ’61
- 2016:
- Debra Turner Bailey ’79, ’81 MPA
- Nancye Baker Bryan ’66
- Mildred Curlee Cooper ’47
- Mary Jo Conrad Cresimore ’57
- Lois Frazier ’42, ’48 MS
- Anne Ford Geis ’54
- Lena (Anne) Gordon ’57 (awarded posthumously)
- Eleanor Walker Gwynn ’68 MFA
- Sarah Cole Jordan ’56
- Mary Hassell Whisonant ’63
- 2015:
- Anne Prince Cuddy ’64
- Ann Turner Collins ’53
- Gayle Hicks Fripp ’63, ’69 MA
- Martha Kirkland Walston ’43
- Dr. Sue Medley ’65, ’76 MEd, ’85 EdD
- Patricia Wood Davis ’57
- Alice Sink ’59C, ’78, ’81 MFA
- Rev. John A. Robinson, Jr. ’69
- Dr. Jerry Tolley ’82 EdD
- Judy Rosenstock Hyman ’56, ’73 MEd
- 2014:
- Sally Schindel Cone ’72 MEd
- Sadye Dunn Doxie ’57
- Betty Crawford Ervin ’50
- Linda Flowers ’68 (awarded posthumously)
- Eric Hart ’96
- Jessie Donathan Howard ’49
- Tom Martin ’70
- Carol Furey Matney ’63
- C. Neill McLeod ’57
- Whitty Ransome ’67
- 2017: Keith Ayscue ’91, ’03 MBA
- 2016: Amelia Storms Hopkins ’79, ’91 MA
- 2015: Dr. Margaret JoAnne Safrit ’57
- 2014: Judge Beth Keever ’72
- 2023:
- Penelope Muse Abernathy ’73
- Jaren Doby ’07, ’12 MSW
- 2022: Jean Lojko ’80
- 2020: Dr. Cherry Callahan ’71, ’78 PHD
- 2019:
- Elizabeth Hudson ’95
- Justin Outling ’05
- Beverly Warren ’71
- 2023: Eric Durham ’11
- 2022: Devon Smith ’13
- 2020: Debora Pleitez ’11
- 2019:
- George Acheampong ’09
- Zimuzor “Zim” Ugochukwu ’11
- 2017: Paul Chelimo ’14
- 2015: Christine “Christy” Johnson ’03, ’05 MA
- 2014: Dr. Cristina Rolo ’04 PhD
- 2013: Katie Marshall ’11
- 2012: LaToya Renee Marsh ’99
- 2011: Dr. Katherine A. Rawson ’99
- 2010: Dr. Brian J. Clarida ’02 MSA
- 2009: Dr. Kelly Hannum ’97 MEd, ’03 PhD
- 2008: Joy Munns ’02, ’04 MBA
- 2007: George Gibbons Hoyle ’90
- 2006: Dr. Brian Strahl ’93
- 2005: George Philip Michael “Mickey” Freeman ’88
- 2004: Deborah Surman ’91, ’95 MS
- 2003: Kelly Link ’95 MFA
- 2002: Anne M. “Meg” Sheehan ’87, ’90 MEd
- 2001: Eric Button ’82,’87 MBA
- 2000: Alexander “Alec” McClure Peters ’83
- 1999: David Brown ’88
- 2023: Mary Landers