4 selected for Distinguished Alumni Awards

Each year on University Day, Carolina celebrates and honors alumni for their outstanding contributions to humankind. Drawn from nominations from various groups across campus, including the Carolina Alumni board of directors, recipients are recommended by the faculty’s committee on honorary degrees and special awards and are approved by the Faculty Council and the University Board of Trustees.

The awards will be presented at this year’s University Day celebration on Oct. 11 in Memorial Auditorium.

Here are this year’s winners:

Brian P. Golson ’92

Brian P. Golson has made substantial contributions to his alma mater. He led the effort in 2015 to create the Honors Carolina scholarship program, which provides not only full financial support but also mentorship opportunities to students. As a co-managing partner and co-CEO of Parthenon Capital, he has worked tirelessly to help students translate their academic accomplishments into successful and rewarding careers. He also was a thought leader behind Honors Carolina’s Silicon Valley Maymester course and a parallel Silicon Valley internship program, has served as co-chair of the Honors Carolina advisory board and is a founding advisory board member for the Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Innovation.

Sharon Elizabeth Lawrence ’83

Sharon Lawrence is an acclaimed actress who is well-known for her Emmy Award-nominated and SAG Award-winning portrayal of assistant district attorney Sylvia Costas in the popular television show “NYPD Blue.” She’s appeared in nearly 120 films and television series, including “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “One Tree Hill.” She regularly returns to Carolina to mentor students and has served as a collaborator and contributor to the Hollywood Internship Program in the communication department of the College of Arts and Sciences. For the past 30 years, the program has sent up to 20 students to Los Angeles each summer to work with entertainment industry professionals and gain meaningful career-building experience.

Sallie Shuping-Russell ’77

Sallie Shuping-Russell is a renowned leader in investment and financial management, former member of the University’s Board of Trustees and vice chair of the University’s Investment Board. She’s helped found numerous companies, served as the managing director of BlackRock Private Equity Partners, and has been a general partner focusing on early-stage venture investments at Intersouth Partners. Her service to Carolina has previously been recognized with a Distinguished Alumni Award from Carolina Alumni and a William Richardson Davie Award for extraordinary service from the University Board of Trustees.

Gary J. White ’94 (M.S.)

Gary White has dedicated his life to helping provide access to safe drinking water. He leads Water.org and WaterEquity, two nonprofits he co-founded with actor Matt Damon to end the global water crisis. Since 2003, White’s nonprofits have helped provide access to safe water and sanitation for 70 million people in more than 18 countries. His work has landed him on TIME magazine’s list of the world’s 100 most influential people, and he has received a World Social Impact Award from the World Policy Institute and recognition from former President Bill Clinton at his Global Initiative Conference.

Read more about the recipients and the installation of Chancellor Lee H. Roberts on the University Day website.