Sara Tatum Pottenger '79
(Awarded 2010)

Every time alma mater has asked, Sara Tatum Pottenger has answered. Her example - as a student, as a community member, as an alumna, as a family member - has shown a person fully committed to living a life of leadership and service.

A history major at Davidson, Sara was co-captain of the tennis team, a hall counselor, president of Fannie and Mable eating house, member of the Patterson Court Council, Quips and Cranks staff member, and recipient of the Howard Chemistry Award.

A former banker, Sara is now a dedicated community leader in Durham, North Carolina: an elder at Westminister Presbyterian church, a member of the Board of Trustees at Durham Academy, and former president of the Junior League. She has served on many boards and committees, including the American Lung Association, Food Bank of NC, Durham Congregations in Action, Interfaith Hospitality Network Mission, and Durham County Steering Committee.

At Davidson, she has volunteered as vice-president and member of the Alumni Association Board, member of the Davidson Athletic Foundation Board, gracious host of alumni events, Annual Fund class agent and class chair, chair and member of the Davidson Alumni Admissions Program, member of the Blackwell Alumni House Dedication Committee, member of her fifth and 20th reunion committees, co-chair of her 20th reunion, and chair of her 30th reunion. Elected in 2005 by her fellow alumni as a member of the Board of Trustees, she served on the Campus & Facilities Planning Committee, the strategic planning study groups on demographics and facilities, and on the Presidential Search Committee that selected Tom Ross '72. Her wisdom and experience will serve her well as on the current Presidential Search Committee for Davidson's 18th president. So greatly is Sara's leadership valued that she is now one of just three people in Davidson's history to serve on TWO presidential search committees. Sara will once again serve the college as a representative of the New Hope Presbytery on the Board of Trustees beginning in January 2011.

With deep and loyal roots to Davidson College, as the wife, sister, and sister-in-law of Davidson graduates, Sara now joins the rank of Davidson parent. Along with her husband David '79, she has entrusted Davidson with her daughter, Tatum, who joined the campus community this fall as a member of the Class of 2014.

For serving Davidson with whole heart and open mind, with loyalty and generosity and grace, the Davidson College Alumni Association honors you, Sara Tatum Pottenger, with the Alumni Service Award.