The UNC Asheville Chancellor's Medallion

The UNC Asheville Chancellor’s Medallion is the insignia of office worn by the Chancellor at Convocation, Commencement and other occasions of academic ceremony. It was established by Chancellor Dave Brown in 1985. A new medallion was commissioned in 1995 for Chancellor Patsy Reed’s installation. It was designed by art professors Tucker Cooke and Elma Johnson, crafted by jeweler Paula Dawkins of Asheville, and given as a gift to the University from the Board of Trustees.

Beginning in 1985, replicas of the Chancellor’s Medallion were presented to individuals whose lives and service demonstrated the deepest commitment to the enhancement of
UNC Asheville. During Chancellor Jim Mullen’s tenure, the definition was broadened to individuals who made extraordinary contributions to higher education, community service and public leadership.

The Chancellor’s Medallion is the highest non-academic honor awarded by UNC Asheville. Recipients are chosen at the discretion of the Chancellor.

Recipients:

• 2007  K. Ray Bailey -- president emeritus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
   

• 2006  Luther and Ruth Barnhard -- University benefactors
   

• 2004  Pete McDaniel (Class of ’74) -- Sportswriter and chronicler of golfer Tiger Woods
   

• 2001  Arthur and Alice Green -- Leaders of the Reuter Center capital campaign
   

• 2000  Wayne McDevitt (Class of ’75) -- Gov. Jim Hunt’s chief of staff
   

• 1999  Adelaide Daniels Key -- Civic leader and University benefactor
   

• 1995  James B. Banks -- Publisher of the Asheville Citizen-Times
   

• 1993  Francine Delany (Class of '66) posthumously -- First African-American graduate of Asheville-Biltmore College
   

• 1991  Roy Taylor (Class of '29) -- Congressman and University benefactor
   

• 1990  Alfred Miller -- Civic leader and a "founding father" of the current campus
   

• 1989  Karl Straus -- Asheville attorney and University supporter
   

• 1988  Richard Wynne (Class of '50) -- Publisher of the Asheville Citizen-Times
   

• 1987  Ruth Feldman -- University benefactor
   

• 1986  Gordon H. Greenwood (Class of '30) -- State legislator
   

• 1985  Ernest Mills -- Civic leader and University benefactor