WITH HONORS

In her opening remarks at the 2019 Guilford College Alumni Awards, President Jane Fernandes called this year’s recipients the “cream of the crop” of the Guilford community, noting that each of the distinguished winners embodies the Core Values of Guilford, such as stewardship, integrity and community.

“All of our awardees were nominated by someone who saw the work they do and the driving force behind their actions to make life better for other people,” Jane explained at the April 24 ceremony in Founders Hall. “We hope stories of our honorees will make an impression on our current students and inspire them.” Here’s a brief round-up of the 2019 recipients. To learn more, visit www.giving.guilford.edu.

From left to right: Gertrude Upperman '69, Wes Gavins '92, Diya Abdo on behalf of Every Campus a Refuge, Marigny Bostock '01, Helen Womack, Martha Tyson on behalf of Vernon Tyson '53, Ben Snyder '07, Richie Zwiegenhaft, John Googe '50, and Jane Fernandes

Photo by Julie Knight

Young Alumni Achievement Awards

Immigration Law Specialist Ben Snyder ’07 is a Partner at Charlotte Immigration Law. Ben studied Peace & Conflict Studies and Philosophy and says that law has given him an outlet to practice his passion for social justice in a tangible way.

Marigny Bostock ’01 is the Senior Program Coordinator for the Tulane University Innovations in Positive Parenting Study. Marigny and her husband, Jon ’99, fund the parttime Immigrant Student Coordinator position within Guilford’s Intercultural Engagement Center.

Alumni Excellence Awards

Wes Gavins ’92, a History major and former Marine, is Chief Information Security Officer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Known for his skills in interdisciplinary thinking, Wes also coordinates internships at JPL.

Through the Googe Family Scholarship Fund, John Googe ’50 has culminated a long entrepreneurial career by providing students with financial need easier access to a Guilford education.

Receiving the award posthumously was Vernon Tyson ’53 for his work as a champion for racial justice throughout his 60-year career as a Methodist Minister.

Charles C. Hendricks ’40 Distinguished Service Awards

Gertrude Upperman ’69 was among the first African American students at Guilford College. She helped to charter the first African American student organization, Brothers and Sisters in Blackness, and the Black Alumni of Guilford College.

Richie Zweigenhaft, who started teaching at Guilford in 1974, is the longest-serving current faculty member. Dana Professor of Psychology, he was also instrumental in establishing the school’s Communications minor.

Honorary Alumna Award

Only the fifth person to be named an honorary alumna/ us of the College, Helen Womack proudly accepted this year’s distinction. Helen and her husband, Winslow Womack ’50, established the Helen and Winslow Womack Award in 1997 to support academic endeavors for Physics students.

Community Cares Award

Every Campus a Refuge, which focuses on providing “radical hospitality” to refugees, has been internationally recognized as a model for all colleges and universities on how to assist those in crisis.