Distinguished Alumni Award 2013 Honorees

The UNCW Alumni Association recognizes alumni and friends for their outstanding achievements and their services to the university and community. Award recipients are honored each year during Homecoming.

Distinguished Alumna of the Year- Linda Patton Nance '74

Linda has worked with university leaders as a member of the UNCW Foundation Board and Board of Visitors. She is a past president of the Friends of UNCW, where she continues to be actively involved. Additionally, her involvement on the College of Arts and Sciences Campaign Committee aided to the success of the last capital campaign, Soaring to Greatness. Linda has served on numerous Wilmington and North Carolina community boards and committees throughout her lifetime; including the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Council, Cape Fear Museum Board of Trustees, and the Wilmington Symphony Board of Directors. She is also a sustaining member of the Junior League and First Presbyterian Church. Linda was appointed, by former governor James Martin, to the NC Foundation for Alternative Health Programs Board and the State School Health Advisory Committee, on which she served for several years.

Young Alumnus of the Year- Bradley Ballou '06

Bradley is a past president of the UNCW Student Government Association and has served as a member of the UNCW Board of Trustees. He recently helped with successful alumni outreach initiatives in the Washington D.C. area. Additionally, Bradley gained experience working with Senator Elizabeth Dole as an advisor on Energy and Legislative policy. This experience led to his new position as the Director of Federal Government Relations for the University of North Carolina System where he serves as a liaison between the seventeen UNC-system schools and congress.

Distinguished Citizen of the Year- Peter Hexter

Pete has shown his support and commitment to UNCW and the Wilmington area through his involvement and philanthropic devotion over the past twenty years. Co-owner of BRAX Ltd. in Wilmington, Pete has supported the Boomer Esiason Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Pop Warner Little Scholars. He led the effort to bring the Miracle League to Wilmington in spring of 2013. In 2002, he helped lead the effort to establish the Landfall Tradition Golf Tournament, which raises funds for UNCW scholarships and golf programs. Pete currently serves on the UNCW Board of Visitors and Seahawk Club.

Alumni Awards for Professional Schools

Cameron School of Business - Outstanding Alumni Awards

The UNCW Cameron School of Business annually presents the Alumni of the Year Awards to recognize CSB alumni who have achieved honor and distinction within either their professional or personal lives. Standards for consideration include distinctive records of achievement with recognition and reputation which extend well beyond the immediate environments in which they live and work. This record of distinctive achievement should extend over a substantial period of time to assure continuity of performance, stability and maturity. Nominations are accepted from alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the Cameron School of Business. Nomination forms are posted in the fall and the award is given at the Alumni & Retired Faculty Mixer in the spring.

• Recipient information

School of Nursing Outstanding Alumnus Award

The UNCW School of Nursing Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award is presented at the annual Nurses Day Banquet in May. Alumni who are chosen must have graduated in 2008 or prior and exemplify the spirit of excellence in nursing directly working with patients along with providing service to their community. Nominations are accepted from alumni, faculty, staff and community members. Nomination forms are posted in the spring.

• Nomination Form
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Watson College of Education Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award

Each year the UNCW Watson College of Education Alumni Chapter recognizes an alumnus who has made significant contributions to education and who represents the commitment to excellence typified by the Watson College of Education. Nominations are accepted from alumni, faculty, staff and community members. Nomination forms are posted in the spring and the award is given at the WCE graduation reception in May.

• Recipient information
• Nomination form

J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award

The J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award honors a faculty member who exhibits the qualities of service and leadership that Dr. Crews personified throughout his life. Nominations may be submitted by any faculty/staff member, alumnus/alumna, student or community member. The recipient will be awarded a $500 stipend. Nomination forms are posted in the spring and the award is given at the fall faculty meeting in September. See a list of past recipients and other faculty award winners.

The Alumni Association annually presents two awards to graduating seniors at the Cornerstone Award Luncheon prior to May graduation. Any UNCW student, staff, or faculty member can nominate an undergraduate or graduate student by February for consideration.

William A. Bryan Senior Leader Award

This award is presented to the member of the senior class who best exemplifies the ideals of service to others, collaboration, leadership and devotion to UNCW. The graduating senior must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher, be in good standing with the university and exhibit integrity and creativity. The award winner receives an inscribed clock from the Alumni Association.

Rachel Freeman Service Leadership Award

This award is presented to the member of the senior class who best embodies the ideals of service to others, commitment to social justice and collaborative leadership. Recipient receives a cash award of $250 sponsored by the UNCW Alumni Association. The purpose of the award is to recognize the senior on campus who best exemplifies the ideals of service to others, commitment to social justice and collaborative leadership and who has demonstrated their commitment to social justice though community service and servant leadership.