Larry J. Dagenhart '53
(Year Awarded--2003)

Born in Taylorsville, North Carolina, Larry Jones Dagenhart came to Davidson via Wilmington, NC, and made an immediate impact on campus. As a Baker Scholar, Class Valedictorian, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa and ODK, Larry distinguished himself as a leader, a scholar and a gentleman.

Distinguished Alumnus Award winner Larry Dagenhart, '53.

When Larry left Davidson, he made a similar impact on the campus of New York University Law School, where he was a Root Tilden Scholar and Comment Editor of the Law Review. After he graduated cum laude from NYU, Larry joined the firm that ultimately became Helms Mulliss & Wicker where he has practiced for over 40 years.

Larry led his law firm as chairman for seventeen years, while broadening his impact in the legal profession at large. He was a member of the Securities Regulation Committee of the American Bar Association and the American Law Institute, and served as president of the Mecklenburg County Bar Association.

His leadership skills and talents for community building have been felt all across North Carolina. He has chaired the UNC Wilmington Board of Trustees, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, the Charlotte World Affairs Council; the United Way of Central Carolinas; Arts and Science Council; Foundation for the Carolinas; Charlotte Country Day School; Charlotte City Club. And, of course, he served ably on Davidson's Board of Trustees for 29 years, participating in every major decision affecting the college over the past generation.

Larry is not only gifted at leading; he is gifted at finding and inspiring others to lead. He chaired the search for UNC Wilmington's chancellor, and the search committees that brought Bobby Vagt to serve as Davidson's 16th President. He has rallied citizens of the Charlotte area to participate in the development of their region and has encouraged, prodded and cajoled
Davidsonians to give of their time and resources to this institution.

Larry's peers have often recognized his contributions. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America and Business Journal Lawyers Elite. The Charlotte World Affairs Council presented him with the Harold Josephson Award for exceptional service to that organization.

His church, as well, has benefited from his wise counsel, where he has served as vice chair of the church council. And he and Sarah have paid Davidson the greatest compliment, entrusting Davidson with the education of their son and daughter.

Because you bring honor to alma mater with your broad impact on your community and region, because you have responded to Davidson's call for help again and again with dignity, wisdom, and grace; because you are serious about leadership without taking yourself too seriously; and because you inspire others to your high standard of service and make Davidson proud to call you her own, the Davidson College Alumni Association honors you, Larry Jones Dagenhart, with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, on the occasion of the Class of 1953's Fiftieth Reunion in Davidson, this fifth day of April 2003