Alan White, who had a 35-year career leading Elon athletics, and A. Hope Williams, president of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, received Elon Medallions at the Aug. 24 ceremonies marking the beginning of 2009 Planning Week.
The Elon Medallions, which recognize individuals who have contributed outstanding service to Elon over the course of many years, were presented by President Leo M. Lambert. Lambert presents Elon Medallions each year prior to his “State of the University” address, delivered to the university’s assembled faculty and staff members. Planning Week marks the beginning of the academic year and the preparation for students to begin classes on Sept. 1.
Below are brief summaries of contributions by White and Williams to Elon University:
Alan White
Under White’s leadership, Elon’s athletics program maintained a strong tradition of success, while evolving from NAIA membership, through NCAA Division II, to the current NCAA Division I affiliation as a member of the Southern Conference.
During White’s tenure, Elon won 53 conference titles, 12 conference Excellence Awards, including eight in a row from 1990 to 1997, and four national championships. Elon teams produced more than 500 all-conference players and produced hundreds of awards for academic excellence by student-athletes.
White was named NCAA Division I-AA/I-AAA Southeast Athletics Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. He received the 1989 NAIA National Athletics Administrator of the Year Award, was named the NAIA District 26 Athletics Administrator of the Year five times and was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1993. White served as president of the NAIA Athletics Directors Association and the South Atlantic Conference.
White directed a major renovation of Elon’s athletics facilities, building a complex that is the envy of schools across the nation. His hard work and leadership led to the design and construction of Rhodes Stadium, Belk Track, Latham Park for baseball, Jimmy Powell Tennis Center, Rudd Field for soccer, Koury Field House and the full renovation and expansion of Koury Center.
The bell tower at the north athletics complex is named in White’s honor and the field at Irwin Belk Track is named in honor of White and his wife, Norma.
A. Hope Williams
Since 1992, Williams has served as president of the statewide organization for the 36 independent colleges and universities in North Carolina and their presidents who comprise NCICU’s Board of Directors. She has been a prominent and respected leader in representing North Carolina independent higher education statewide and nationally, serving as a member of the Governor’s Education Cabinet, working with the North Carolina General Assembly, the U.S. Congress, the executive branches of federal and state governments and the media.
Williams has been a strong and determined advocate for funding for students, especially the state grants and scholarships to provide students the opportunity to attend independent colleges and universities. Since becoming president, Williams has led efforts to increase state grants and scholarship support from $35 million to $111 million.
During her tenure, Elon students from North Carolina have received about $45 million through the North Carolina Legislative Tuition Grant and the State Contractual Scholarship Fund.
Williams has also served as president of the corporate and foundation fundraising activities for the Independent College Fund of North Carolina and led efforts to increase scholarship support from $900,000 when the Fund merged with NCICU in 1995, to $1.8 million in 2009.
She serves on numerous civic and non-profit organization boards and has won several awards recognizing her leadership. In 2007, Williams was named a “woman of achievement” by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of North Carolina; in 2005 she was named a “woman extraordinaire” by Business Leader magazine; and in 2001 she was named one of the “top 25 women in business” by The Business Journal.