Distinguished Service Award

UNC Charlotte’s Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of the University Foundation established the Distinguished Service Award in 1987 to honor those who have provided outstanding leadership and exemplary service to the Charlotte community and to the advancement of UNC Charlotte. Each recipient receives a statue of a gold miner cast from a sculpture by Lorenzo Ghiglieri.

Recipients of the Distinguished Service Award

*Also received an Honorary Degree.

  • 2024: Fred Klein
  • 2023: W. Frank Dowd IV and Roddey Dowd Jr.
  • 2022: John Cato
  • 2021: Sally Gambrell Bridgford
  • 2020: Kerr Putney
  • 2019: Fred Whitfield
  • 2018: Catherine P. Bessant
  • 2017: Dianne English
  • 2016: Ron Kimble
  • 2015: Bob Morgan and Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
  • 2014: Belk Inc.
  • 2013: Betty Chafin Rash and Dennis Rash
  • 2012: Tony Zeiss
  • 2011: Jim and Mary Lou Babb
  • 2010: Michael Marsicano
  • 2009: Patricia (Pat) Rodgers
  • 2008: Malcolm (Mac) Everett
  • 2007: *Irwin Belk
  • 2006: Sara Bissell
  • 2005: Herman Thomas
  • 2004: George Liles
  • 2003: Peter Sidebottom
  • 2002: James B. Garland
  • 2001: Loy H. Witherspoon
  • 2000: *Seddon (Rusty) Goode
  • 1999: George Barrett
  • 1998: Sally Dalton Robinson
  • 1997: *Rolfe Neill
  • 1996: Edwin L. Jones
  • 1994: *Bonnie E. Cone
  • 1995: Jonnie McLeod
  • 1993: John Stedman
  • 1992: William M. Barnhardt
  • 1991: James W. Thompson
  • 1990: Thomas I. Storrs
  • 1989: *William S. Lee
  • 1988: *John L. (Buck) Fraley
  • 1987: *Thomas M. Belk
  • 1987: *C. C. Cameron