Alumni - School of Education
Alumni - News
If you have any questions on how to be more involved as an alumni, or have suggestions about how to improve this website, please contact:
Melissa Edmonds, Alumni Programs
UNCG School of Education
P.O.Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402
Phone: (336) 256-1317
Email: soealumni@uncg.edu
Alumni Awards
2005 School of Education Distinguished Alumni Awards
In a continuing effort to support and honor alumni, the School of Education held its fourth annual Distinguished Alumni Awards on May 13th, 2005.
Quote from Dean Dale Schunk: " At this time of the year when we honor our graduates it is fitting that we also celebrate the accomplishments of our talented alumni."
Alumni who were honored:
(left to right) Richard Thompson, Alicia Tate, Jack Schmidt, and James Merrill
Mrs. Alicia Tate '04 MEd was awarded the Early Career Award, given for distinctive achievement in education less than five years since receiving the most recent degree. Alicia is the Director of Special Education for Scotland County Schools. She has earned certification as an exceptional needs specialist from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and in 2003 was named a Teacher of Excellence by the North Carolina Department of Instruction. In her school district, she serves as a mentor for initially licensed teachers, and she is a member of the North Carolina Council for Quality Teaching. Mrs. Tate received her BS degree in special education from East Carolina University in 1989.
Dr. James G. Merrill '91 EdD was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award, given for achieving state, national, or international distinction in any field. Dr. Merrill is the superintendent of Alamance-Burlington Schools. He was named the 2004-205 Superintendent of the Year jointly by the North Carolina School Boards Association and the North Carolina Association of School Administrators. Prior to assuming his present position in 2000, Dr. Merrill was an associate superintendent in the Wake County Public School System. He was a Morehead Scholar and received a BA in Education from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1073, and a MA in Educational Administration from Appalachian State University in 1982.
Dr. John "Jack" Schmidt '80 EdD and Dr. Richard Thompson '79 EdD, were awarded the Distinguished Career Award, given for continued exemplary service to the education profession.
Dr. Jack Schmidt is a distinguished professor in the Counseling and Adult Education Department at East Carolina University, and served as chair of the department from 1989-2002. In 2002 he was awarded the Ruth C. McSwain Distinguished Professional Service Award for Outstanding Contributions to the School Counseling Profession by the North Carolina School Counselor Association. In 200 he received the Scholar-Teacher Award from East Carolina University. Dr. Schmidt received a BA in Sociology from St. Michael's College in 1968, and a MAT Social Studies/Guidance also from St. Michael’s College in 1970.
Dr. Richard Thompson is the Vice President for University-School Programs for the University of North Carolina. Under his leadership the University of North Carolina has advanced its goals relating to k-16 partnerships especially in the areas of teacher quality, recruitment, and retention. Prior to assuming this position in 2002, Dr. Thompson was the Mississippi State Superintendent of Education. In 1998 he received The Order of The Long Leaf Pine Award (highest award given by the Governor of North Carolina). Dr. Thompson received his AA degree from Chowan College in 1961, his BA degree from Elon College in 1964, and a MEd from UNC Charlotte in 1974.