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UNCG Alumni | Alumni Awards

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.

The nomination window for the 2023 Alumni Awards has closed, but stay tuned for the winners to be announced during the Homecoming 2023 celebration.

Pictured: Our 2022 Alumni Award recipients (L-R), Susan McDonald ’67, Jeff Collins ’84, Ann Thomas ’57, Alice Garrett Brown ’65, Jean Lojko ’80, and Devon Smith ’13.

Nominate an Alumna/Alumnus

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 bestowed on friends of UNCG who embody the Spartan spirit with significant contributions to the University’s welfare through loyal service and support.

2023 Alumni Award Recipients

Alumni Awards Archive

  • 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

  • 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

  • 2022: Jean Lojko ’80
  • 2020: Dr. Cherry Callahan ’71, ’78 PHD
  • 2019:
    • Elizabeth Hudson ’95
    • Justin Outling ’05
    • Beverly Warren ’71

  • 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
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