2022 UNCG Alumni Award Recipients

We are proud to honor the following alumni in 2022 for their exceptional achievement and significant contributions to their profession, community, society, or University.

WC Legacy Award

The WC Legacy Award is given to alumni of either Woman’s College or UNCG. Emphasis is placed on characteristics that were important during the WC era, which included service, social or political activism. Each year, there will be a minimum of one recipient who attended Woman’s College 1934-1963.

ALICE GARRETT BROWN '65

Alice has been a constant and steady reminder that the need for social activism on issues of race, economic inequities, voting rights, and educational access continues to be a present and pressing need. As a music major, she maintained a dependable cadence and rhythm, appropriate for the action to be taken, in caring for others. Alice is a fierce advocate for greater opportunity for Blacks in housing, employment, and government; for the promise of children of all colors and ethnicities learning and playing together; and for grandparents accepting and loving bi-racial children.

SUSAN MCDONALD '67

As a student, Susan was successful on the court as co-captain of the women’s basketball team and in the classroom as a Physical Education major. In 1963, she organized a march from campus to the Greensboro Public Library to oppose a newly instituted speaker ban. She continued serving UNCG in her career as a major gift officer for Athletics. Her connections with alumni helped establish a new scholarship for the College of Arts and Sciences. In 2019, she received the Spartan Legacy Award from the student-athletes at UNCG. She has been an incredible leader with the WC Tribute Project, an on-campus monument that will be a permanent reminder of the WC legacy as part of UNCG’s history. Price defines the Woman’s College era of UNC Greensboro. She is not only a regular contributor to the continued health and wellbeing of the University, but she has also been a lifelong advocate for the education and character-building experience she received as a student at the Woman’s College.

ANNE THOMAS '57

An outstanding teacher and curriculum leader, Anne demonstrated dedication and skill during a uniquely demanding era in the history of public education, including the transition from segregation to integration, the reorganization of K-12 education, and the implementation of Title IX. These extraordinary challenges occurred against a backdrop of immense social and political unrest. She is passionate about social justice and seeks opportunities to advocate for causes she believes in, including AARP’s fight for access to Medicaid for seniors and many initiatives of the National Organization of Women (NOW). Her devotion to UNCG is unfailing as a donor, an alumni reunion participant, and a Vanguard member, and she continues to model her 1957 Woman’s College class motto, “Enter to learn, leave to serve.”

Minerva Award for Distinguished Service

The Minerva Award for Distinguished Service recognizes alumni who have given devotion, service, and visionary leadership to UNCG, the UNCG Alumni Association, academic colleges, or the Greensboro community at large.

JEFF COLLINS '84

Jeff is a dedicated alumnus who has devoted his time, energy, and passion to his alma mater. Jeff served on the Alumni Association Board from 2011-16, including as president from 2013-15. Jeff was a huge advocate for the UNCG state license plate program and was the primary force behind the initiative to have the license plates available to alumni. Jeff also served as a member of the UNCG Chancellor Search Committee that selected current chancellor, Dr. Franklin D. Gilliam Jr. Jeff has also served on the Bryan School of Business and Economics alumni board.

Young Alumni Award

The Young Alumni Award recognizes exceptional achievement and significant contributions made to the recipient’s profession, community, society, or the University. This award is given to UNCG alumni who are 40 years or younger when nominated.

DEVON SMITH '13

Devon has taken the opportunity to be a leader in the field of content marketing, with an emphasis in strategic consulting, multimedia journalism, and public speaking. Devon’s gift of utilizing both technical and relationship skills has helped him create a successful career at such a young age. At only 31 years old, he has worked with companies eBay Enterprise, Revolt TV, Ad Age, Adweek, Black Enterprise, Adidas, and more. Most notably, he led T-Mobile’s seven-figure national campaign, Magenta Edge, an initiative he conceived and orchestrated to uplift Black and Latinx entrepreneurs across the United States. Currently, Devon is the founder and principal of Proper Context, a strategic consultancy to corporate brands, institutions, and early stage startups working to improve engagement in student, professional, and consumer education. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Devon is committed to the University’s motto of “Service” by frequently serving as a mentor to students and young alumni.

Professional Achievement Award

The Professional Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement in any professional field. The award is given to alumni with records of notable career accomplishments and histories of outstanding contributions to their professions. These achievements have brought distinction to themselves, credit to the University, and benefit to their communities.

JEAN LOJKO '80 

Professor Lojko graduated from UNCG with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Biology. Jean completed her master’s in Physical Education at Appalachian State University in 1983 and is the Jefferson Pilot Professor of Physical Education at Greensboro College. Notably, she also has served on NCAA committees and as chairperson for the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Athletics Advisory Board and is a multi Hall of Fame inductee. Among many of her other roles at Greensboro College, she has served as volleyball coach, athletic director, associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator, assistant professor of physical education, and tennis coach.