Davidson College

Alan William Duncan arrived at Davidson in the fall of 1972 from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, with a passion for sports and people. His years at Davidson reflected those interests. As a student, Alan quickly won the respect of fellow classmates through his steadfast service to others and the characteristic gusto with which he embraced Davidson.

Alan showed his zeal for sports as a Davidson basketball player, a two-year letterman on the varsity track team, and an avid participant in intramurals. He also coached youth sports teams in the Davidson community and organized a recreational program for nearby prison inmates. His interest in the well-being of others could be seen as he mentored underclassmen as a hall counselor and as a freshman advisor. His outstanding academic career was capped by his induction into the Phi Beta Kappa honorary society. Davidson also recognized him for his generous compassion to the college and the community through the Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award.

Alan went on to earn his law degree at VanderbiltUniversity and then joined a prestigious Greensboro law firm to launch a successful legal career. His career has been conspicuous by its accomplishment and national recognition. He has been a leader in the legal profession through volunteer activities with many statewide professional associations helping to promote the highest ideals of his noble occupation.

As an alumnus, Alan has rarely said “no” when Davidson has called, serving alma mater in numerous roles – both big and small. He served as the vice president of the Alumni Association and as chapter president for the Greensboro alumni chapter for more than a decade. Alan chaired the 20^th reunion for the class of 1976 and has assisted with planning several other class reunions. In addition, Alan has volunteered for more than twenty years as an Annual Fund class agent, provided leadership on both of Davidson’s previous campaigns, and has been generous to Davidson through his advice and gentle suggestions for improvements.

As a citizen of Greensboro, Alan has made a profound impact on his community. He currently serves as the chair of the Guilford County School Board, in addition to being active in his church, a youth basketball coach, and a tireless worker for a host of other community organizations.

For his contagious enthusiasm for all things Davidson; for refusing to decline alma mater’s call; for demonstrating loyalty to Davidson through his words and deeds; for entrusting a daughter to Davidson; for offering honest advice and constructive criticism; for living a life of service, and for ensuring that Davidson is a better place because it claims him as an alumnus, the Alumni Association honors Alan William Duncan, Davidson Class of 1976, with the Alumni Service Award on April 28, 2007, on the occasion of his thirtieth reunion.