By Michelle Hines, University Relations
The School of Education will recognize a record 10 alumni with Distinguished Alumni Awards April 21.
The awards ceremony begins at 4 p.m. in the foyer of the Ferguson Building. A reception follows.
Awards include:
The Early Career Award – Given for distinctive achievement to someone in the profession less than eight years since receiving their most recent UNCG School of Education degree
•Terry S. Atkinson: Associate professor, College of Education, East Carolina University, PhD ’98
•Anna M. Mendez: First-grade teacher for Wake County Schools, BA ’03
•Jennifer L. Maccarone: Teacher for Guilford Middle School, Guilford County Schools, BS ’04
•Kay McMurphy: Elementary special educator, Guilford Day School, MEd ’01
The Distinguished Career Award – Given for continued exemplary service in education
•Lane S. Anderson III: Retired from Guilford County Schools as teacher, assistant principal and principal, now does consulting for N.C. Department of Instruction, EdD ’80
•Diane L. Frost: Superintendent, Asheboro City Schools, PhD ’97
•Sam H. Houston Jr.: President and CEO of N.C. Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Center, EdD ’82
•Carol G. Walters: Director, Sandhill Regional Library, MLIS ’77
The Outstanding Achievement Award – Given for achieving state, national or international distinction in any field
•Julia Bowers Hanson, MLIS ’00: Educational specialist, Virtual Village, Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Hanson was one of only 27 librarians nationwide chosen to receive the prestigious New York Times Librarian Award.
•Kenneth G. Ruff, EdD/EdS ’02: Director of bands, N.C. A&T University and former assistant principal of Eastern Guilford High School, Guilford County. Ruff has received the Dedicated Service Award and the Walter F. Carlson Service and Dedication Award at N.C. A&T. He was listed in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.” Under his direction, the A&T Marching Band won first place in the 2003 Battle of the Bands in Charlotte. They also were listed among the Ten Best Bands in Historically Black Colleges and Universities in 2004, won the 2006 Historically Black All-Star Marching Band Award and won the 2005 Band Brawl Battle of the Bands Showcase in Greensboro.
The graduate program within the School of Education currently ranks 50th among the nation’s top education schools, according to the most recent U.S. News & World Report survey. UNCG has been listed among the nation’s top 50 graduate schools of education by USN&WR for 12 consecutive years.
