Emelia Stuart Stephenson '76
(Awarded 2011)

Emelia Stuart Stephenson joined the Davidson family in one of the first waves of transfer students after the college evolved to coeducation. By way of Richmond, Virginia, and Mary Baldwin College, Emelia shined on Davidson's campus as a biology major, hall counselor, member of Fannie and Mable, and inductee of Omicron Delta Kappa. After graduating in 1976, Emelia received her Master of Education in speech pathology from University of Virginia and married Davidson classmate James Stephenson.

Emelia began her impressive track record of serving alma mater while still a student. She volunteered during the 1974 Alumni Weekend before she was even an alumna herself, and she's never turned back. She has served on nearly every Reunion committee for the Class of 1976, including co-chairing this 35th Reunion; been an agent for the Annual Fund; and served as a decade representative on the Alumni Association Board. She is also active in the Greenville, SC alumni chapter and attends as many Davidson basketball games as she can!

Beyond Davidson, Emelia is a tireless volunteer and leader for the Greenville County Medical Society Alliance, the Greenville County Museum of Art, Christ Church Episcopal School, and 4th Presbyterian Church. Emelia keeps up her passion for the life of the mind as a member of Thursday Club, a Greenville women's group founded in the 1880s. Each member presents a fifteen to twenty page, original research paper aloud annually. She is also highly involved in Greenville Women Giving, a women's organization that provides grants to non-profits in Greenville County, and recently chaired the fifth grant cycle which awarded more than a half million dollars in grants to ten organizations.

Along with her husband Jim, Emelia has been a loyal and generous supporter of the Annual Fund, The Davidson Trust, and the Life Sciences building. Perhaps Jim and Emelia's most notable "contribution" to Davidson is their daughter, Sally, who graduated in 2009. Sally, like her parents, is an outstanding member of the Davidson community.

Emelia once remarked, "When Davidson calls, you just make it work." Despite her busy schedule, Davidson is a priority for this steadfast and loyal alumna, and for that we are a better place. For your innumerable contributions to Davidson College; for your time, energy, and eager enthusiasm; and for the example of service you humbly set and the inspiration that example provides, the Davidson College Alumni Association is proud to honor you, Emelia Stuart Stephenson, with the Alumni Service Award.