USC Alumni Association announces 2024 Alumni Award recipients
September 25, 2024
The University of South Carolina Alumni Association announced Wednesday (Sept. 25) the recipients of the 2024 Alumni Awards.
Clay Owen, ’82, has been named the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award recipient. This award recognizes an alumnus who has demonstrated noble character, acted as a humble servant and places service to others before self-interest. A former AT&T communications executive, Owen and his wife Grainne started Curing Kids Cancer, a charity that has raised more than $25 million for pediatric cancer research.
Clay Owen and Glenn Tilton
Glenn Tilton, ’70, has been selected as this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. Tilton’s illustrious career in industry included service as Chairman and CEO of Texaco; Chairman, President and CEO of United Airlines and Chairman of the Midwest for JPMorgan Chase.
Leroy Chapman Jr., ’94, is the recipient of the Outstanding Black Alumni Award. After beginning a career in journalism at The State (Columbia, S.C.) while a student at the University of South Carolina, Chapman was the first person of color to be named editor-in-chief of the Atlanta Journal Constitution in March 2023.
Leroy Chapman Jr. and Dr. Caroline Fermin
Dr. Caroline Fermin, ’85, is this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Veteran Alumni Award. Fermin served 25 years in the United States Marine Corps. The second female to graduate from the Marine Corps War College, Fermin continues to serve the veteran community across South Carolina.
Alyssa Lang, ’15, has been selected as this year’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient. Lang joined the SEC Network in 2018 and serves as a host, anchor and reporter, including as a sideline reporter for SEC Network college football and basketball.
Alyssa Lang and James Solomon Jr.
James Solomon Jr., is the recipient of this year’s Honorary Life Member Award. This award recognizes a non-graduate who has made considerable contributions in support of the university. Solomon was one of three African American students who desegregated the University of South Carolina on September 11, 1963.
C. John Wentzell, ’74, is the recipient of the Bethea Volunteer Service Award. This award is presented to an outstanding alumnus who is dedicated to enhancing the value of the university and making an impact upon the future generations of Gamecocks. Wentzell served 24 years with the alumni association’s board of governors, including twenty years as the board’s treasurer. He also served twenty years on the University Foundation’s Investment Committee.
C. John Wentzell
The University of South Carolina Alumni Association will celebrate and recognize all the award recipients during Homecoming Weekend (Nov. 1-3). To read more about these outstanding Gamecocks, visit the alumni association’s website.
The University of South Carolina Alumni Association fosters lifelong connections, growth and success for alumni, students and friends of the University of South Carolina. The Association aims to engage alumni through membership and programming while providing opportunities for future alumni through student scholarships. While one may be a student for a short time, they are a Gamecock for a lifetime.
