News & Events

UNC Asheville Honors Alumni with Annual Awards

March 24, 2009

UNC Asheville recently honored four of its most outstanding alumni with the University's annual National Alumni Awards. UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder and UNC Asheville National Alumni Council Chair Neal Rhoades (Class of 1986) presented the awards at a special dinner on campus on March 23, 2009.

The Roy A. Taylor Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to James W. Daniels (Class of 1960) for his notable career in communications. Daniels is chairman and chief executive officer of Daniels Business Services Inc., a family-owned Asheville business engaging in printing, mailing and call center operations. With two operating divisions, Daniels Graphics and Daniels Communications, the business serves a wide variety of customers from industrial corporations to educational institutions. A former UNC Asheville Foundation Board member, Daniels has also been active on a host of local charitable and civic boards.

Rickie B. Lowe (Class of 1982) received the Thomas D. Reynolds Award for Service to the University. Lowe is an extremely active UNC Asheville volunteer. From cooking dinner for phone-a-thon callers 20 years ago to coordinating the Athletics Auction last fall, Rickie donates countless hours to her alma mater. In addition, she currently serves on the board of the Bulldog Club and was a board member of the former Alumni Association Board of Directors.

The Francine M. Delany Alumni Award for Service to the Community was presented to Michael F. Ochsenreiter (Class of 1980) for his dedicated civilian career to the U.S. Air Force. Ochsenreiter worked on the F-15 Program and the top-secret SR-71 "Blackbird" Program and served as deputy director of the Air Force Services Agency. When he wrapped up his career with the Air Force, Ochsenreiter was honored by the governors of Texas and North Carolina for his dedicated service.

Holly Spencer Bunting (Class of 2000) was inducted into the Order of Pisgah for outstanding achievement in her professional field. A summa cum laude graduate of UNC Asheville, Bunting earned a law degree at American University. Today she works for K&L Gates in Washington, D.C. and practices in the areas of mortgage banking and consumer finance, with a concentration on federal and state regulatory enforcement. A consummate advocate for her alma mater, Bunting has lent a hand with UNC Asheville's popular World of World Program and helped wrap up donations for the Class of 2000 gift to the University.

In addition, the University presented the Alumni Distinguished Faculty Award to Dolly Jenkins Mullen, associate professor of political science. Mullen, who joined the faculty in 1984, has established an outstanding reputation as a professor who cares deeply about her students. She spends many hours outside the classroom meeting with students to guide their coursework, as well as lending an ear to those struggling with personal problems. Mullen holds a doctorate from Clark Atlanta University and focuses her research on social programs and their impact on the African American community.