The Medallion of Merit is the highest honor given by Wake Forest and is presented annually for outstanding achievement and distinguished contribution to the University. Previous recipients include presidents of the University, trustees, benefactors and retired faculty and administrators.
Learn more about the history of the Medallion of Merit.
2021
Donna Ann Boswell (’72, MA ’74)
Medallion of Merit Video
Medallion of Merit Citation
2020
Winston Louis “Lou” Bissette Jr. (’65, P ’94, P ’97)
Medallion of Merit Video
Medallion of Merit Citation
Lawrence D. “Larry” Hopkins (’72, MD ’77, P ’12, P ’15)Medallion of Merit Video
Medallion of Merit Citation
Sandra Combs Boyette (MBA ’95)
Medallion of Merit Video
Medallion of Merit Citation
2017
Herman Edward Eure (PH.D. ’74)
Medallion of Merit Video
Medallion of Merit Citation
James Pierce Barefield
Medallion of Merit Video
Medallion of Merit Citation
2016
James T. Williams, Jr (’62, JD ’66)
Medallion of Merit Citation
Jenny Robinson Puckett (’71)
Medallion of Merit Citation
2015
Dr. Louis C. Argenta
Medallion of Merit Citation
Michael J. Morykwas
Medallion of Merit Citation
2014
Dr. Margaret Supplee Smith
Medallion of Merit Citation
Medallion of Merit Video
2013
Rhoda Bryan Billings (JD ’66)
Medallion of Merit Video
2012
L. Glenn Orr, Jr., Chair, Board of Trustees and Benefactor
2011
K. Wayne Smith (’60), Life Trustee and Benefactor
2010
Barbara Babcock Millhouse (LHD ’88), founding president of Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Wake Forest trustee
2009
Dr. Richard H. Dean, First President, Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Marvin D. Gentry (’57), First Chair, Wake Forest University Health Sciences Board of Directors
2008
Murray C. Greason (’59, JD ’62), Chair, Board of Trustees
2007
Edgar D. “Ed” Christman (’50, JD ’53), Chaplain, 1956-2003
2006
Thomas K. Hearn Jr., 12th President, 1983-2005
T. Eugene Worrell (’40), Trustee and Benefactor
2005
Timothy Pennell (’55, MD ’60), Professor of Surgery, School of Medicine, 1966-2002
Willis E. “Doc” Murphrey (’52, JD ’57), Old Campus Personality
2004
Edwin G. Wilson (’43), Provost and Professor of English, 1951-2002
2003
Leon H. Corbett Jr. (’59, JD ’61), Vice President and Counsel, 1968-2002
2002
C. Douglas Maynard (’55, MD ’59), Chair, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, 1966-2003
2001
Victor I. Flow Jr. (’52), Trustee and Benefactor
2000
Richard Janeway, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, 1966-1997
1999
>Mary Ann Taylor (’56, MD ’60), Director, Student Health Service, 1961-1991
1998
Henry S. Stroupe (’35, MA ’37), Dean of the Graduate School and Professor of History, 1937-1984
1997
Ivey C. Gentry, Professor of Mathematics, 1949-1989
1996
Lula M. “Lu” Leake, Associate Vice President and Dean of Women, 1964-1997
Mark H. Reece (’49), Dean of Students and Dean of Men, 1956-1988
1995
Thomas E. Mullen, Dean of the College and Professor of History, 1957-2000
1994
Germaine Bree, Kenan Professor of Humanities, 1973-1985
1993
Eugene Hooks (’50), Director of Athletics, 1956-1992
1992
Elizabeth Phillips, Professor of English, 1957-1989
1991
Weston P. Hatfield (’41), Chairman, Board of Trustees
1990
Eben Alexander, Professor of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, 1949-2004
1989
Harold M. Barrow, Chair of Physical Education, 1948-1977
1988
Richard T. Myers, Chair, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, 1950-2000
1987
Russell H. Brantley Jr. (’45), Director of Communications, 1953-1987
1986
D. Wayne Calloway (’59), Chairman, Board of Trustees
1985
Robert A. Dyer, Professor of Religion, 1956-1983
1984
James Ralph Scales, 11th President, 1967-1983; Harold W. Tribble, 10th President, 1950-1967
1983
Manson Meads, Vice President for Health Affairs, 1947-2001;
1982
D.A. Brown, Professor of English, 1941-1973
1981
Owen F. Herring (’13, MA ’14), Professor of Religion, 1946-1963
1980
Nancy Susan Reynolds, Benefactor
James W. Mason (JD ’38), Chairman, Board of Trustees
1979
Grady S. Patterson (’24), Registrar, 1924-1972;
A.C. Reid, Professor of Philosophy, 1920-1965
1978
Melvin Q. Layton (’47), Superintendent of Grounds, 1951-1977
Clark Vincent, Professor of Medical Sociology, School of Medicine, 1964-1978
1977
Carroll W. Weathers (’22, JD ’23), Dean and Professor of Law, 1950-1972
1976
Egbert L. Davis Jr. (’33), Chairman, Board of Trustees
Charles M. Allen (’39, MA ’41), Professor of Biology, 1941-1989
1975
H. Broadus Jones (’10), Professor of English, 1924-1959
1974
Edgar Estes Folk (’21), Professor of English, 1936-1967
1973
Lois Johnson, Dean of Women, 1942-1962
Jasper L. Memory(’21), Professor of Education, 1929-1971
1972
J. Allen Easley (’43), Professor of Religion, 1938-1963
1971
Clara Carswell, Benefactor
1970
Harold T. P. Hayes (’48), Editor, Esquire magazine
1969
Irving Carlyle, President, Board of Trustees
1968
Camillo Artom, Professor of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, 1939-1961