
2025 Society Dinner and Alumni
Awards Recognition Ceremony
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025
Reception at 5:30 p.m. | Program at 6 p.m.
Myers Park Country Club
2415 Roswell Ave.,
Charlotte, NC 28209
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In this Section

Alumni Awards
- Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award
- Outstanding Young Alumnus/Alumna Award
- Alumna Excellence in Service Award
- Trailblazer Leadership Award
- Honorary Alumna/Alumnus
Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award

Jeff Knull
'84
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This honor is given to an alumnus or alumna who has at least 15 years of professional experience and has attained the highest level of success in their specialized field. The recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award upholds the university’s ideals of Faith, Knowledge and Service to the fullest extent. The recipient should be held in the highest regard by his or her peers and coworkers as someone who has truly distinguished themselves.
Now back at Wingate as a math instructor four decades after he graduated with a B.S. in mathematics, Jeff Knull ’84 admires the consistency of care and compassion at the University.
“Every day at Wingate I witnessed true professionals nurturing and educating their students,” he says. “My professors at Wingate were such marvelous examples of caring and compassionate educators. The example set by the faculty at Wingate University during my time as a student set the standard that I would strive to follow. As a current faculty member at Wingate, I continue to marvel at the dedication and caring with which the current faculty approaches their work.”
Knull spent 40 years in high-school classrooms, including 30 working as a teacher and administrator at Charlotte Latin School. He also volunteered his time at Goodwill Industries, Urban Ministries, Habitat for Humanity and his collegiate alma mater, serving on Wingate’s Board of Visitors (now Alumni Advisory Board).
But his most important acts of service, he says, were channeling his Wingate professors by being a nurturing, compassionate math teacher.
“The constant in my life when I think about service has always been the students that I serve,” says Knull, who has a master’s from Winthrop University. “I have found it a labor of love for over 40 years to provide the help, support and compassion that students often need to grow and learn. Though there is always room for my personal improvement, I believe that one of our greatest community-service goals is fulfilled when we help young people receive an education.
“There is no greater thrill in my career than seeing a young person work hard, ask questions, and strive to be successful in the pursuit of his or her education.”
When he’s not breaking down equations on a whiteboard, Knull enjoys spending time at the lake with family and friends, playing golf or watching sports. He likes to hold court beyond the classroom, too, having performed stand-up comedy at nightclubs and educational conferences.
Knull and his wife, Heather, have two children.
Outstanding Young Alumnus/Alumna Award

Junior Nyemb
'10, MBA '13, MASM '17
This honor is given to an alumnus or alumna who has less than 15 years of professional experience and exhibits the greatest level of performance in their specialized field. The Outstanding Young Alumnus/Alumna Award recipient also upholds the University's ideals of Faith, Knowledge and Service to the highest degree. The recipient should be held in the highest regard by his or her peers and coworkers as someone who has truly distinguished themselves.
When he first came to Wingate as a teenager who knew minimal English, Junior Nyemb found empathetic professors and coaches who recognized his potential and helped him succeed in college. Now, nearly two decades later, Nyemb runs his own marketing agency, one that has empathy at its core.
Nyemb founded the Grio Agency five years ago and is its chief empathy officer, helping businesses in the Charlotte region find their voice and reach their target audiences. He says that the best part of his job is “playing a small role in helping others bring their vision to life.”
Nyemb, who grew up in Cameroon, came to Wingate on a soccer scholarship. He became an all-conference and all-region player who was inducted into the Wingate Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. He was named Academic All-District three times.
Nyemb worked at the University for several years after graduation – after each graduation, that is. He ultimately received three degrees from Wingate: a bachelor’s in modern languages, an MBA, and a master of arts in sport management.
He uses all three degrees as he leads Grio’s efforts on behalf of small and growing businesses looking to fine-tune their brand strategies. He stays grounded by coaching soccer, meditating and spending time with his wife, Kellen, and their young daughter.
“Empathy starts with self-inquiry and the ability to suspend our judgment to listen to each other,” Nyemb says, “so meditation is a big tool for me.”
Alumna Excellence in Service Award

Willmarie Austin
'07
The recipient of the Excellence in Service Award consistently upholds the University’s value of service. The recipient of this award has a history of giving back to the campus community and the greater community, showing a knowledge of the value of serving others. The recipient of this accolade ought to be seen by their colleagues as a civic leader who is unwavering in his or her dedication to helping others.
Willmarie Austin learned the deep importance of community service at Wingate, and she has gone on to make a career out of serving her community. After six and a half years working for the Girl Scouts, she has spent the past three years with Habitat for Humanity of Cabarrus County, being promoted to director of development in August of 2024.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Austin moved to North Carolina at the age of 16 to attend Wingate. There, she was challenged academically in her communication major, but perhaps more significantly she was challenged to give back to her community.
“My time at Wingate instilled in me the understanding that service is not just an extracurricular activity; it’s a calling,” Austin says. “I didn’t know then just how much Wingate would shape me, not just academically, but personally and spiritually. It was a place of firsts for me: the first place I lived on my own, the first community I built for myself, and the first time I realized that my voice and story mattered.”
While recruiting volunteers for Habitat Cabarrus, Austin enjoys seeing others discover the power of giving back.
“I love creating opportunities for people to feel personally connected to a cause and empowered to make a difference,” she says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to witness individuals take ownership of a mission and see how their involvement helps transform lives.”
In addition to her role at Habitat Cabarrus, Austin serves as an ambassador for the Cabarrus Chamber, where she advocates for local businesses and economic growth. She is also a dedicated speaker with the Mecklenburg County Domestic Violence Speakers Bureau, using her lived experience to educate youth and communities about teen-dating-violence prevention. Austin is also an appointed member of the Cabarrus County Early Childhood Development Committee and a proud member of the Gamma Epsilon Zeta chapter of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority.
In her free time, Austin enjoys reading, volunteering and, most of all, raising her two daughters.
“Wingate became more than a college,” she says. “It became the launching pad for the life I’ve built – one rooted in service, advocacy and resilience.”
Trailblazer Leadership Award

Deborah Hildebran-Bachofen
'73
The recipient of the Trailblazer Leadership Award exemplifies exceptional leadership and innovation, pushing boundaries to pave the way for others. This individual consistently leads with vision, courage, and a commitment to forging new paths within their industry and the broader community. Recognized as a true innovator and a role model, the awardee is highly respected by peers and colleagues, having distinguished themselves through their visionary leadership and dedication. This honor celebrates their ability to inspire, lead with integrity, and create lasting impact within their profession and community. Through their relentless dedication, they exemplify the true spirit of trailblazing leadership.
Deborah Hildebran-Bachofen has appeared on just about every list of top lawyers in North Carolina during her 37 years as a practicing attorney with Raleigh’s Manning, Fulton & Skinner, P.A. But her greatest professional pleasure comes from simply solving problems for clients.
“I really enjoy having knowledge and experience to help people with some of their legal needs,” she says.
Hildebran-Bachofen is known for her expertise in estate planning and administration, leaning on her associate of arts degree from Wingate and her bachelor of science in business administration and juris doctor degrees from UNC Chapel Hill. She also has a broad range of experience with closely held businesses and has assisted with drafting and negotiating contracts, acquiring and disposing of businesses, and advising on financial matters and transactions.
Hildebran-Bachofen is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and has been consistently recognized in many respected state and national publications. She has been named in The Best Lawyers in America and was selected for inclusion among North Carolina Super Lawyers, including North Carolina’s Top 100 Lawyers and Top 50 Female Lawyers. She has also been recognized in Business North Carolina magazine’s Legal Elite in the areas of tax and estate planning and corporate law.
In 2005 she was the recipient of a Women in Business Award, presented by the Triangle Business Journal, and a Women Extraordinaire Award, presented by Business Leader magazine. She is a board-certified specialist in estate planning and probate law and has lectured for the North Carolina Bar Foundation and the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law.
In addition to serving on several committees over the years for the North Carolina and Wake County bar associations, she has served on the UNC Law School Alumni Board of Directors and received two President’s Awards of Excellence from the Wake County Bar Association.
In the community, Hildebran-Bachofen has served the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors, has chaired the Capital (Raleigh) Region Advisory Board of the Small Business and Technology Development Center, was a trustee of North Raleigh United Methodist Church, and served as a director and the treasurer of the Raleigh Racquet Club. She continues to serve on the Salvation Army of Wake County Board of Advisors.
In her free time, Hildebran-Bachofen enjoys a game of doubles tennis and loves to travel, having visited more than
60 countries and all seven continents.
Honorary Alumna/Alumnus

Martha Asti
This honor recognizes individuals who are not Wingate alumni but who demonstrate respect and admiration for its core values of Faith, Knowledge and Service through their actions. This award honors University friends who exhibit outstanding and uncommon achievement in their professions and whose civic, community and public service are both exemplary and exceptional.
Dr. Martha Asti joined the Wingate music faculty in 1979, at the dawn of Wingate’s era as a four-year institution. She would go on to become not only a champion of music students and the music department but a fixture in administration as well.
Asti had 13 different titles during her four decades-plus at Wingate, including chair of the music department and senior vice president of academic affairs. A proponent of student development and international study, she taught 38 different undergraduate courses at Wingate and traveled with students to five continents.
Asti’s commitment to Wingate led her and her husband, Russ, to establish the Martha Secrest Asti Endowed Artist Series in 2016, to provide guest performances on campus and enrich the arts at Wingate University. The most recent performance was by Grammy winner Anthony Dean Griffey ’90, in March of 2025.
At the University of Miami, Asti wrote her Ph.D. dissertation on Christian Gregor, the “father of Moravian music,” and over the years she never lost her love of research. Over the years she conducted research on 18th century music in libraries around the world, including Germany, the Netherlands, France, the UK and Austria.
Asti’s work in the UK resulted in the edited republication of the primary keyboard works of the 18th century harpsichordist and singer Elisabetta de Gambarini. Her expertise in 18th century music has been on display in juried papers and facilitated sessions at state, regional and national conferences.
Asti served as organist/music-staff member at United Methodist churches for 34 years, and she served on the national boards of the American Council on Education and the College Music Society, in addition to several area arts organizations.
At Wingate, she received the Corts Award for Excellence in Teaching and the inaugural Friends of the Library Faculty Award. She retired from Wingate in 2020, serving her last few years as scholar-in-residence.
Alumni Award Nominations
Do you know an alumnus/a deserving of recognition? With our annual awards, Wingate University recognizes excellence in leadership and the important contributions of our graduates, both to their profession and to their communities.
Previous Recipients
- DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS / ALUMNA
- YOUNG ALUMNUS / ALUMNA
- ALUMNI EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE
- CHAMPION OF DIVERSITY AWARD
- HONORARY ALUMNUS / ALUMNA
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS / ALUMNA
2024
Natasha Gilbert, '97
2023
Clarice Lorraine Blakeney, '70
2022
Audley Bell, '71
2019
Christopher Jon Cartwright ’00
Stephanie Johnson Cartwright ’98
2018
Patrick C. Brown ’95
2017
Mr. Gregory Scott Rhoney ’83
Mrs. Kimberly Deese Holt ’88
2016
Mr. Paul Bennet Little, Jr. ’68
Mr. David Sugg ’81
Mr. Mr. Dwayne Antonio Elder ’91
Mr. Jamie Wilhelm, Jr. ’93
Mr. John Snyder, III ’95
Mr. William Irby ’99
2015
Mr. Donald Douglass ’45
Mr. Stan Bingham ’66
Mr. Tom Pruett ’75
Mr. Michael Taylor ’84
Mr. John Crooke ’90
Mr. Trey Cameron ’97
2014
Mr. Tony Herrin ’72
Mr. Brent L. Perkins ’74
Dr. Sherene McHenry ’85
Mr. Phillip Matthews ’86 Mr. Brad Putnam ’96
Mr. Robert Chase ’99
Mr. Greg Clemmer ’99
2013
Mr. Benson E. Bivens, Jr. ’63
Mr. Gary Coble ’63
Mr. Carl E. Cook ’63
Dr. Herbert Kirk ’63
Mr. Julian A. Reynolds ’63
Mr. J. Mark Horne ’83
2012
Mrs. Meredith Galvin ’62
Mr. Cress Horne ’82
Dr. Julie Chamberlain ’87
2011
Mr. James H. Cauble ’55
Mr. O.J. Sikes, III ’61
Dr. William H. Crouch, Jr. ’71
Dr. William J. Miller ’81
Mrs. Jerri Presson Haigler ’86
2010
Mr. Ted N. Griffin ’69
Mr. Joseph Martin Lee, III ’69
2009
Dr. Thomas Koontz ’60
Rev. Cynthia Whisnant Brasher ’83
Dr. Everette Michael Latta ’59
Mr. Robert Neil Hawkins ’88
2008
Mr. L. Curtis Arnold ’68
Dr. Richard Eugene Moore ’73
2007
Dr. Jerry W. Thomas ’70
Mr. Marvin Little ’48
Mrs. Lavonne Little ’49
2006
Mr. Carl Bennett ’55
Mr. John A. Cox, III ’70
Mr. John G. Hammond ’62
Mr. Allan Rothwell ’67
2005
Dr. Herbert Garrison ’78
Mr. George Hackney ’74
Mr. Patrick Philmon ’72
Dr. Jerry Pierce ’64
Dr. Mark Thompson ’74
2004
Mr. Mike Martin ’64
2003
Dr. Jairy C. Hunter, Jr. ’67
2002
Dr. Donald W. Cameron ’63
Mr. Allen M. Searson ’73
Dr. William B. Coleman ’86
2001
Mr. James Mason ’75
Mr. Jack Watson ’38
2000
Mr. Thomas E. Williams, Jr. ’61
Mrs. Carole Flowers Williams ’61
Mr. Sidney A. Sutton ’48
1999
Mr. Dennis E. Yates ’71
1998
Dr. William L. Perry ’31
1997
Mr. Charles Ray Williams ’55
Mrs. Margaret Chaney Williams ’56
1996
Mr. Ronnie J. Shadd ’72
Mr. Larry Edward Price ’62
1995
Mrs. Marilyn Marlowe Eudy ’82
Mr. Mitch Eudy ’81
Dr. Cullie Funderburk ’56
Mr. Duran McDonald ’61
1992
Mrs. Sui Kay Chan Ku ’57
1990
Dr. Paul Helms ’33
Dr. B. Parthenia Richardson ’71
1989
Mr. James C. Blanton ’49
Mr. Wayne Monroe Drye ’62
Mr. Fred B. Helms ’17
1988
Mr. L. L. Helms ’17
1987
Mr. James H. Glenn ’32
Hon. Jesse Helms ’39
Mr. J. R. Renfrow, Jr. ’34
1986
Mr. Bruce M. Simpson ’43
Dr. Lloyd Y. Thayer ’29
1983
Dr. Craven Allen Burris ’49
Rev. W. Floyd Parker ’58
Miss Grace Yow ’43
1982
Mr. Neild P. Gordon ’51
Mr. Thomas E. Renfrow ’42
Mr. Walter R. Wiley ’25
Mr. Edwin Mark Wilson, Jr. ’40
1981
Mr. William C. Foster ’56
Mrs. Hazel Pittman Hall ’34
Mr. Gordon W. Yarborough ’61
1980
Mr. H. Clark Goodwin ’58
Mr. Leon Levine ’56
Mrs. Georgia Griffin Thayer ’34
YOUNG ALUMNUS / ALUMNA
2024
Aaron Shaver, '16
2023
Jennifer Nelson Sierk, '12 & '16
2022
Will Stokes '13 and '16
2019
Seth Thomas Howell ’06
2018
Melanie Jean Romanaux ’07
2017
Ms. Holly Leigh Stegall ’07
2016
Mrs. Ashley Lantz ’02
Mrs. Beth Tafolla-Voetsch ’06
Mr. Ryan Thys ’08
Mrs. Jennifer Bossi ’10
2015
Mr. Neal Holly ’00
Mr. Andrew Smart ’01
Mrs. Stephanie Starnes Traynham ’06
2014
Mrs. Christina Campbell Welch ’00
Mr. Brandon Crumpton ’03
Mr. Christopher Scocco ’06
2013
Dr. Lauri Saleeby ’03, ’07
2012
Dr. D. Brandon Chapman ’02
Mr. Landon Owen ’02
2011
Mr. John E. Welch ’01
2008
Dr. Russell Booker ’91
Sen. Eric Powell ’91
2007
Hon. Jennifer J. Knox ’96
2006
Mr. Joel Barham ’84
Dr. Roy Campbell ’95
Mrs. Marci Timm McGee ’95
2005
Mr. Cameron Corder ’87
Mr. Allen Thomas ’96
Mr. Richard Yadkowski ’96
Mrs. Stephanye Adams Yadkowski ’95
2004
Dr. Christopher Cooper ’93
Mr. Steven Nedvidek ’84
2003
Ms. Ann Hancock ’92
2002
Mr. R. James Waller ’92
Mr. Benjamin E. Sidbury ’98
2001
Mr. Anthony Griffey ’90
2000
Mr. Edward R. Street, Jr. ’94
ALUMNI EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE
2024
Terrance Hinton, '03
2023
Brad Baldwin, '97
2022
Allison Rickher Pullen '14 and '16
2019
Jennifer Ann Foster ’08
2018
Amee Huneycutt Odom ’95
2017
Mr. William T. Crowder, Jr. ’68
2016
Mrs. Christine Odom ’90
Mrs. Kathy Keith ’95
Mrs. Katie Nichols ’00
Mrs. Wendi Hinson ’03
Mrs. Candice Sturdivant ’09
2015
Ms. Barbara Raye Hollifield ’59
Ms. Carolyn Faye Hollifield ’59
2014
Mrs. Carolyn Matthews ’69
2013
Dr. Sylvia Little-Sweat ’61
Dr. Louise Napier ’63
CHAMPION OF DIVERSITY AWARD
HONORARY ALUMNUS / ALUMNA
2024
Ed & Millie West
2023
Sally Ormand
2022
Joe Hunter
2019
George C. Bower
2018
Windell L. Talley
2017
Mr. Caleb H. Barnhardt, Jr.
2016
James L. McCoy, Jr.
2015
Ms. Betty Baxter
Mr. Lamar Hardman
Mr. Bruce Voncannon
2014
Dr. Jerry E. McGee
2013
Mr. Jim McCollum
2012
Mr. Dave Neu
2011
Mr. Roland Bibeau
Dr. G. Byrns Coleman
2010
Mr. William L. Hudson
2009
Mr. Cliff Hemingway
Mr. Ed Heckman
2008
Mr. William H. Mast
Mr. Jimmy C. Wilson
2007
Mrs. Janice G. Beatty
Mr. John Francis Essic
Dr. Mary Lynn Moss
2006
Mr. Bobby Tamplin
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Woodall (Fredna)
2005
Mrs. Wilma McCollum
The Pharmacy Network National Corporation Board Members
Mr. George Tucker
2004
Mr. Ken Couch
2003
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Harris (Loretta)
Mrs. Francis Davis Simpson
Mr. Harry Sherwood
2002
Ms. Christine P. Billinger
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Nesbit (Nadine)
Mr. John R. Martin
2001
Mr. Donald Haskins
Mr. Charles Norwood
2000
Mr. and Mrs. Merle Medhurst (Eunice)