Alumni Hall of Fame
Welcome to William Carey University’s Alumni Hall of Fame, a celebration of the exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to our institution and beyond. This prestigious honor recognizes William Carey alumni whose achievements, leadership, and dedication have left an indelible mark on our university and community. From groundbreaking research to transformative community engagement, the Alumni Hall of Fame stands as a testament to the lasting impact of these remarkable individuals. We proudly celebrate their legacy, inspiring future generations to reach new heights and continue the tradition of excellence that defines our university.
Listed below are our Alumni inductees from 1960-2025.
Alumni Hall of Fame Nominations
Criteria for the WCU Alumni Hall of Fame:
1. The nominee must have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree program a minimum of 10 years ago. (If less than 10 years, consider the Young Alumni Award)
2. Outstanding career achievement is the primary consideration, but campus involvement as a student as well as a strong connection to the University since graduation will also be considered.
3. Community service and awards received should be given significant weight in the selection process.
4. If an employee is nominated, his/her career achievements must go above and beyond his/her university responsibilities.
5. Current alumni council members and their spouses are not eligible.
Please provide the following information.
1. Name and contact information of the nominee.
2. Information about the involvement of the graduate in campus life during his/her time at Carey and involvement/contributions to WCU since graduation.
3. Career achievement information, including awards received and memberships in
professional organizations.
4. Community service and church information.
Email your nominations to alumni@wmcarey.edu.
The alumni council will receive the nominations and make preliminary recommendations in the fall. Their decisions will be forwarded to a sub-committee made up of two council members, the alumni director, the provost, the EVP, and the president. This sub-committee will make the final selections based on recommendations from the council. Recipients will be notified in January.
Alumni Inducted to the Hall of Fame
Inducted from 2020-29
- Rochelle Dahmer 2020
- Daniel Edney 2020
- Krisha Angela Hawkins 2020
- Brett Valentine 2020
- Scott Hummel 2021
- Beverly Lawrence Merritt 2021
- Loretta Eleuterius 2022
- Wendy Hogue 2022
- David Millican 2022
- Annie Lee 2022
- David Bush 2025
- Jacqueline Clavo-Hall 2025
- Tracy Cook 2025
- Bobby Halford 2025
- Dr. Howard Savage Jr. 2025
- Dr. Joseph K. Byrd 2025
- Dr. Martha K. Williams 2025
- Keith Saucier 2025
Alumni Inducted to the Hall of Fame
Inducted from 2010-19
- Jerry Mixon 2010
- Ann Holladay Nelson 2010
- Pam Harvey Orman 2010
- Tony Gray 2011
- Paul Sousa 2011
- Richard Vinci 2011
- Donna Duck Wheeler 2011
- Charles J. Brown 2012
- Dorman Laird 2012
- Chris McDaniel 2012
- Dorothy Roberts McEwen 2012
- Slater Murphy 2012
- R.T. Buckley 2013
- Ramona Hankins Fant 2013
- Kourtney Hollingsworth 2013
- Martha Hutson 2013
- Ric Shrubb 2013
- Gerald C. Bracey 2014
- Leo Day 2014
- Michael Hannaford 2014
- Dora Harbin 2014
- L. Joseph Lee 2014
- Vermester Bester 2015
- Adam Breerwood 2015
- Carl Merritt 2015
- Eric J. Williams 2015
- Dan Jennings 2015
- Rose Lovern Rainey 2016
- Mary Morton 2016
- Alan Sudduth 2016
- Terry Tinsley 2016
- E. Larry Harrington 2017
- Ron Herrod 2017
- Victor Maridueña 2017
- Debra Owens Mercer 2017
- Manuel “Don” Biadog 2018
- Price Harris 2018
- Gary Roberson 2018
- Philip Fortenberry 2019
- Vernon Mangum 2019
- Ron Melton 2019
Alumni Inducted to the Hall of Fame
Inducted from 2000-09
- Mac Ernest 2000
- David C. Davis 2001
- Jim Smith 2001
- Elaine Moser 2002
- Renee Eaton 2003
- Karen Utterback 2003 (Dist Nurse)
- Louis Guirola, Jr. 2004
- David Lee 2005
- Naul C. Bodden 2006
- W. Ray Burdeshaw 2007
- Jerald Stacy Hughes 2007
- G. Douglas Inglis 2007
- Michael T. Rehwinkel 2008
- Alan Woodward 2008
- Peggy Magee Bates 2009
- Donald Clark Measels 2009
- Shannon Robert Savas 2009
Alumni Inducted to the Hall of Fame
Inducted from 1990-99
- Billy Salter 1990
- Rachel Tate 1990
- Mike Parker 1991
- Larry LeFlore 1992
- Ruby Thompson 1992
- Gordy Hughes 1993
- Doris Schneider 1993
- Margaret Lou Hemeter Gillespie 1994
- Errol Simmons 1994
- Mary Ishee Simmons 1994
- Emma Fancher Beemon 1995
- Jacque Rogers 1995
- John McGraw 1996
- Marian Graham Thornton 1996
- Sarah Gray Burrus 1997
- Polly Love Morris 1997
- John Clearman 1999
- Elsie Parker 1999
Alumni Inducted to the Hall of Fame
Inducted from 1980-89
- Tommy King 1980
- Dorothy P’Pool Ware 1981
- Dennis Ray Smith 1982
- William Payne 1983
- Helen Phillips 1984
- Ray Strebeck 1985
- Lowell Broom 1986
- Don H. Stewart 1987
- Alice Davis 1988
- Hugh Bateman 1989
Alumni Inducted to the Hall of Fame
Inducted from 1970-79
- Elise Mathews Curtis 1970
- Louis Scott 1971
- Cora Joyce Davis 1973
- Ralph Davis 1973
- William P. Osborn 1974
- Bonita Bridges 1975
- Milton Wheeler 1976
- Betty Hart 1977
- Thomas Hiers 1978
- Carl Jones 1979
Alumni Inducted to the Hall of Fame
Inducted from 1960-69
- W.D. “Step” Martin 1963
- John Stephenson 1964
- Elvin Smith 1965
- May Detherage 1966
- Bill Mitchell 1967
- Sydney Buckley 1968
- Lilian Yarborough Leavell 1969
Alumni Inducted to Distinguished Young Alumni
All Distinguished Young Alumni
- Karen Burns Gray 1996
- Wanda Geddie Brickner 1999
- Novelette Gordon Ebanks 2000
- Don Frazure 2001
- Daniel Edney 2003
- Melanie Ward Butler 2004
- Nathan Barber, Jr. 2005
- Geinene Haynes Carson 2006
- Matthew Olson 2017
- Victoria King 2018
- Derrith Childress Ellis 2019
- Benjamin Austin 2021
