Alumni Award Nominations
Since 1959, the Pfeiffer Alumni Association has recognized the extraordinary contributions of alumni by presenting two annual awards to deserving individuals. In 2015, the Office of the President created the Presidential Merit Award to recognize young alumni. These awards are presented during the Annual Alumni Gathering at Homecoming.
We encourage all alumni to nominate those deserving of recognition. The submission deadline for award nominations is April 30th, each year. Click below to download nomination forms. Please note that individuals may only be nominated for one award per year. The Alumni Board of Directors reserves the right to determine which award category is most appropriate/applicable for nomination in the case of an alumnus being nominated for both Outstanding and Distinguished Awards.
- Distinguished Alumni Award Download here
- Outstanding Alumni Award Download here
- Presidential Merit Award Download here
Print and mail nomination forms to Pfeiffer University Advancement Office, P.O. Box 960, Misenheimer, N.C. 28109, or email forms to advance@pfeiffer.edu.
2025 Alumni Award Recipients
Cathy Laws ’02 Named 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
Dr. Cathy Benson Laws ’02, DDS, the recipient of Pfeiffer University’s 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award, majored in Chemistry at Pfeiffer and later earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from West Virginia University’s School of Dentistry on a Health Professions Scholarship from the U.S. Army. After fulfilling her service commitment in Landstuhl, Germany, she is now making her mark, not only as a dentist but as a businesswoman.
In 2014, she purchased a practice in Lincolnton, N.C., where she was working as an associate dentist, and Carolina Dentistry and Dentures was born. The business has since become a thriving regional provider, having expanded to include six additional offices in as many North Carolina cities: Salisbury, Mint Hill, Albemarle, Asheboro, Greensboro, and Charlotte.
Awarded by the Alumni Association Board of Directors to honor excellence in one’s profession or community service.
Paul Childress ’93 Receives 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award
Paul Childress ’93, the recipient of Pfeiffer University’s 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award, enjoys an unusually strong bond with his alma mater — which he continues to strengthen by supporting the University in numerous ways.
He said that receiving the Award is a reflection of his recognition of Pfeiffer’s value in the community and the importance of continuing to support Pfeiffer as an important asset. Echoing the sentiments of many of Childress’ fellow Pfeiffer supporters, Scott Bullard, University President, said he has “been a fantastic advocate for Pfeiffer and has worked tirelessly to help make community connections that are making a positive difference for the University.”
Awarded by the Alumni Association Board of Directors to honor one’s significant contributions to Pfeiffer University.
Lindsey Russell ’15 Receives 2025 Presidential Merit Award
Lindsey Russell ’15, the recipient of Pfeiffer University’s 2025 Presidential Merit Award, has landed at the forefront of technology-driven changes in healthcare, having worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) for Atrium Health Primary Care Family Medicine Virtual since May 2024. She has joined a growing number of healthcare providers working virtually in family medicine — a trend sparked a few years ago by the COVID-19 pandemic. And she has no intention of leaving telehealth.
“I will remain in virtual primary care for as long as virtual primary care is a thing,” she said. “My colleagues and I work hard, but we have a really good time doing it.”
Awarded by the President of Pfeiffer University to alumni who are 35 years of age or younger, who have excelled early in their careers, and who show potential for continued success.
1962 Rev. Lloyd G. Lowder ’42
1963 Dr. Garmon B. Smith ’40
1964 Rev. Dr. William K. Quick ’52, ’72 (Hon.)
1965 Rev. Dr. Ernest A. Fitzgerald ’43, ’86 (Hon.)
1966 Edwin W. Woodhouse ’58
1967 Rev. Herbert E. Blackmon ’36
1967 Dr. Earl W. Vaughn ’47, ’83 (Hon.)
1968 Dr. Samuel H. Johnson ’46, ’94 (Hon.)
1969 J. Walt Braxton, Jr. ’63
1970 Dr. Joseph A. Ross ’48
1971 J. Keith Crisco, Sr. ’64
1971 Rev. W. Kirk McNeill ’59
1972 Dr. L. Gordon Clarke ’44
1972 Dr. D. Larry Crumbley ’63
1972 Dr. Maeburn B. Huneycutt ’42
1972 Dr. H. Mitchell Simpson ‘64
1974 Rev. Fred Falls, Jr. ’61
1974 Dr. Samuel H. Johnson ’46, ’94 (Hon.)
1974 Dr. Franklin D. Martin ’66
1976 Joseph R. Kluttz, Jr. ’60
1977 Dr. Thad Woodard ’68
1978 J. Russell Helderman ’27
1979 Dr. Edward B. Tyson ’64
1980 Dr. R. Andrew Murphie ‘66
1982 Frank E. Watson, III ’71
1983 Dr. Juanita Lee Long ’46
1984 Dr. Lee W. Kinard, Jr. ’50
1985 The Honorable Don Maddox ’64
1987 Dr. Richard B. McKenzie ’64, ’01 (Hon.)
1988 M. Jane Williams ’66
1991 Rev. Dr. William K. Quick ’52, ’72 (Hon.)
1992 Dr. Mary Nell Saunders ’70
1993 Dr. Gerry D. Martin ’63
1995 Dr. Wilbur S. Avant, Jr. ’63
1997 Carl M. Hill ’58
1997 Dr. Thad Woodard ’68
1998 Henry E. Farmer, Sr. ’60
1999 Dr. Monteic A. Sizer ’93
2000 Rev. Dr. James B. Long, Jr. ’63, ’93 (Hon.)
2000 Dr. Lawrence J. Wheeler ’65, ’12 (Hon.)
2001 Dr. Joseph D. Armstrong ’82
2002 Herman A. Stone, Sr. ’64
2006 Thomas M. Grady ’63
2006 Betty Coates Mar ’69
2007 Rev. Julianne Brittain ’77
2007 Rev. Cecil E. Donahue ’77
2007 Annabeal Waller Lefler ’66
2008 James G. Griffith, Jr. ’58
2009 E. Jack Ingram, Jr. ’74
2009 Richard W. Thames ’75
2010 Sharon K. Bard ’79
2010 April Jones Havlin ’76
2011 Kevin G. DeSanctis ’74
2011 Harold M. Eagle, Jr. ’63
2011 Mary Earnhardt Eagle ’64
2012 Thomas D. Lewis ’68
2013 Dr. Samuel J. Chewning ’08
2013 W. Craig Estep ’83
2013 Dr. Russell H. Sharples ’75
2014 John K. Boggs ’75
2014 Albert L. Rose ’63
2015 P. Duane Dunston ’97, ’99 MSOM
2015 David B. Miller ’04
2016 Rev. H. David Melton ’76
2016 George E.J. Singleton ’68
2017 Dawn Harwood Allen ’81
2017 Alejandra Buchanan Miller ’03
2017 Dr. Marissa Shuffler Porter ’04
2018 Ashley Zeek McMichael ’12
2018 R. Lawrence Monaghan, Jr. ’68
2018 Dr. Margaret Earley Whitt ’68
2019 Brittany Cox Hudson ’13
2019 Frank W. Lea, III ’68
2019 Gary R. Weart ’71
2020 Dr. David W. Barham ’11
2020 Dr. D. Matthew Gianferante ’05
2020 Barry L. Roberson ’80
2021 Robert C. Gulledge ’68
2021 Dr. Reggie L. Hudson ’74
2021 Christopher A. Matthews ’12 MSL, ’16 MFT
2022 Robert J. Brietz ‘65
2022 Heidi Honecker Grant ‘87
2022 Jimmy D. Molina ’16, ’19 MBA, ’19 MSL
2023 Dr. Wayne T. Davis ’70
2023 Charles R. Ingram ’11, ’14 MBA
2023 David M. Smith ’70
2024 Dr. Katherine A. Collins ’15
2024 Kathleen E. Kennedy ’74
2024 Rev. Joy Thornburg Melton ’77