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.


Nominations

Nominations for the Medallion of Merit are accepted on an ongoing basis from members of the Wake Forest community. An invitation to be honored will be extended each year, and the honoree will be recognized at the annual Founders Day service.

Nominate a Medallion of Merit honoree



2023

J. Reid Morgan (’75, JD ’79)
Medallion of Merit Video
Medallion of Merit Citation


2022

President Emeritus Nathan O. Hatch (LHD ’21)
Medallion of Merit Video
Medallion of Merit Citation

President Emeritus Nathan O. Hatch and Wake Forest President Susan R. Wente

2021

Donna Ann Boswell (’72, MA ’74)
Medallion of Merit Video
Medallion of Merit Citation

Wake Forest President Nathan O. Hatch presents the Medallion of Merit to Donna Boswell (’72, MA ’74), former Chair of the Board of Trustees, in a private ceremony in Wait Chapel on Friday, February 5, 2021. Convocation was filmed for a virtual presentation due to the COVID pandemic.

2020

Winston Louis “Lou” Bissette Jr. (’65, P ’94, P ’97)
Medallion of Merit Video
Medallion of Merit Citation

Lou Bissette and President Hatch shake hands

Lawrence D. “Larry” Hopkins (’72, MD ’77, P ’12, P ’15)
Medallion of Merit Video
Medallion of Merit Citation

Larry Hopkins and President Hatch shake hands

Sandra Combs Boyette (MBA ’95)
Medallion of Merit Video
Medallion of Merit Citation

Sandra Boyette receiving the Medallion of Merit

2018

Michael “Mike” Gerald Ford
Medallion of Merit Video
Medallion of Merit Citation

Photo of President Nathan O. Hatch and Mike Ford


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
Medallion of Merit Video


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