Fred Bowden Clayton ’77 and
Susan Baynard Clayton ’78
(Awarded--2007)
 

Fred Bowden Clayton arrived at Davidson from Gainesville, Florida in 1973.  A year later the woman who was to become his wife, Susan Baynard Clayton, arrived on campus from Charlotte, NC.   Both quickly became engaged with the college.   

During his years at Davidson, Freddy majored in English and played football in addition to cheerleading and playing intramurals.  Freddy also served on the Inter-fraternity Council and was a member of Fannie and Mable.  Upon graduating, Freddy attended law school at the University of Florida.  Meanwhile, Susan was a cheerleader, a member of the PAX House, and a member of the theatre honorary society, Alpha Psi Omega.

Shortly after Susan’s graduation, in August of 1978, Susan and Freddy were married in Charlotte, NC.  When asked in a reunion survey for his 10^th reunion, what was his most interesting/memorable personal event since graduation, Freddy responded with “marrying Susan…classic overachievement.”  Almost 30 years later, Freddy writes “all the good things in our lives (especially our spouses), we owe to Davidson-our academic and intellectual experiences there, the lessons we learned, and the friends we made.”

As alumni, Freddy and Susan formed a great team volunteering for Admissions, the Annual Fund, and the Alumni Office.  Susan was a member of the President’s Strategic Planning Committee and Freddy was a member of the President’s Committee on Self-Selection.  Freddy and Susan both served as annual fund volunteers with Freddy serving as the Annual Fund Chairman for the class of 1977 and Susan volunteering for her class, the class of 1978.  Together, serving as co-chairmen, they led the Davidson Alumni Admission Program in Charlotte and in Orlando before serving as chapter presidents of the Orlando alumni chapter for 12 years.  During this time they hosted alumni events at their home, attended numerous class reunions in addition to the 2006 theatre reunion, while continuing to support Davidson.

Today, Susan and Freddy live in Orlando, FL and have two children, Walker and Fred.  After working as the Director of Children’s Ministry at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Susan now works as the Vice President of Advancement at LakeHighlandPrep School in Orlando.  After serving as President of ScentAir Technologies, Inc. for four years, Freddy is now a Senior Vice President at JHT, Inc. 

Because of the quality, consistency, and intensity of their service to and passion for Davidson College, the Davidson College Alumni Association honors Fred and Susan Baynard Clayton, Class of 1977 and 1978 respectively, with the Alumni Service Award on the occasion of their 30th Reunion of this 28th day of April, 2007.