Distinguished Alumni Award 2011 Honorees

The UNCW Alumni Association recognizes alumni and friends for their outstanding achievements and their services to the university and community. Award recipients are honored each year during Homecoming.

Distinguished Alumnus of the Year- Malcomb Coley '86, '89M

Coley earned both his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Master of Business Administration at UNCW and is now a partner in the Assurance and Advisory Business Services Group of Ernst &Young in Atlanta. He is responsible for the company’s diversity initiative across the Southeastern United States, serves as the treasurer of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. and is a founding member of the Research Triangle Park chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants. Coley holds a position on the Cameron School of Business (CSB) Executive Advisory Board and is a featured speaker in CSB classes.

Young Alumnus of the Year- Shaun Olsen '02

Olsen received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Systems from UNCW. Upon graduation, he started Olsen Enterprises and established BBXComputers. Olsen later created AcoustiCreations, Inc. and Opterex, Inc., Cape Fear businesses focused on network administration, systems integration and product management. In 2009, Olsen won both a Coastal Entrepreneur Award and a UNCW Entrepreneurship Award in the category of technology. Olsen continues to give back to UNCW as an active member of the UNCW Entrepreneurship Center and a member of the Cameron Executive Network, through which he is currently mentoring two UNCW business students.

Distinguished Citizen of the Year- Charles 'Ed' Alexander III

Alexander is currently the vice chair for UNCW Foundation Board of Directors and serves on the Endowment Board and Cameron School of Business Committee. In the community, he served on the Board of Directors for Cameron Art Museum and the NC Museum of Art Grand Opening Committee. Alexander retired as senior vice president of Morgan Stanley in Raleigh.

Alumni Awards for Professional Schools

Cameron School of Business - Outstanding Alumni Awards

The UNCW Cameron School of Business annually presents the Alumni of the Year Awards to recognize CSB alumni who have achieved honor and distinction within either their professional or personal lives. Standards for consideration include distinctive records of achievement with recognition and reputation which extend well beyond the immediate environments in which they live and work. This record of distinctive achievement should extend over a substantial period of time to assure continuity of performance, stability and maturity. Nominations are accepted from alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the Cameron School of Business. Nomination forms are posted in the fall and the award is given at the Alumni & Retired Faculty Mixer in the spring.

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School of Nursing Outstanding Alumnus Award

The UNCW School of Nursing Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award is presented at the annual Nurses Day Banquet in May. Alumni who are chosen must have graduated in 2006 or prior and exemplify the spirit of excellence in nursing directly working with patients along with providing service to their community. Nominations are accepted from alumni, faculty, staff and community members. Nomination forms are posted in the spring.

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Watson School of Education Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award

Each year the UNCW Watson School of Education Alumni Chapter recognizes an alumnus who has made significant contributions to education and who represents the commitment to excellence typified by the Watson School of Education. Nominations are accepted from alumni, faculty, staff and community members. Nomination forms are posted in the spring and the award is given at the WSE graduation reception in May.

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J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award

The J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award honors a faculty member who exhibits the qualities of service and leadership that Dr. Crews personified throughout his life. Nominations may be submitted by any faculty/staff member, alumnus/alumna, student or community member. The recipient will be awarded a $500 stipend. Nomination forms are posted in the spring and the award is given at the fall faculty meeting in September. See a list of past recipients and other faculty award winners.

The Alumni Association annually presents two awards to graduating seniors at the Cornerstone Award Luncheon prior to May graduation. Any UNCW student, staff, or faculty member can nominate an undergraduate or graduate student by February for consideration.

William A. Bryan Senior Leader Award

This award is presented to the member of the senior class who best exemplifies the ideals of service to others, collaboration, leadership and devotion to UNCW. The graduating senior must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher, be in good standing with the university and exhibit integrity and creativity. The award winner receives an inscribed clock from the Alumni Association.

Rachel Freeman Service Leadership Award

This award is presented to the member of the senior class who best embodies the ideals of service to others, commitment to social justice and collaborative leadership. Recipient receives a cash award of $250 sponsored by the UNCW Alumni Association. The purpose of the award is to recognize the senior on campus who best exemplifies the ideals of service to others, commitment to social justice and collaborative leadership and who has demonstrated their commitment to social justice though community service and servant leadership.