Fletcher Lee Hartsell, Jr., '69
(Year Awarded--2004)

Born and raised in Concord, North Carolina, Fletcher Lee Hartsell, Jr. joined what is widely recognized (by its members) as “the greatest class ever to walk the halls of Davidson” and quickly became a standout in that distinguished group. The winner of multiple scholarships including the Staley, the Guttman, and the Fielding Award, Fletcher excelled as a political science student. Foreshadowing his life of public service, Fletcher assumed leadership roles in his Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and as Vice President of the Student Government Association. Fletcher’s passion for debate was evident as he was twice honored with the Outstanding Debater Award.

As a law student at UNC, Fletcher consistently earned a place on the Dean’s List, contributed to published articles, and won recognition for his performance in moot court competitions. One week after receiving his law degree, Fletcher married his sweetheart, Tana Honeycutt. A week later, Fletcher passed the bar exam. Two weeks after passing the Bar, Fletcher left for reserve officer training at Fort Benning, Georgia, graduating with honors in November 1972.

Fletcher’s legal career began where his life started, back home in Concord as an associate with the firm of Hartsell, Hartsell & Mills. In 1979, Fletcher began representing Cabarrus County Schools and starting in 1985, he represented the county in all legal matters. Fletcher also served as the President of the Cabarrus County Bar Association, and presently serves on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Bar. In 1990, Fletcher was elected to represent Cabarrus County in the State Senate. Fletcher is now serving his seventh consecutive term. Well regarded as a champion of education, affordable health care, the environment, and fiscal responsibility, Fletcher has twice been declared the Most Effective Republican State Senator.

Fletcher’s commitment to civic life extends beyond Raleigh and includes work as Chairman and trustee of the Cannon School, and membership on UNC-Chapel Hill’s Board of Visitors and the Advisory Board of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. Not to be overlooked is Fletcher’s devotion to his church. A lifetime member of McGill Baptist Church, Fletcher helped found the Christian Women’s Job Corps and he has represented his church at state and national conventions.

For his outstanding service to Cabarrus County and the State of North Carolina, Fletcher was honored in 1992 with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian award presented by the State of North Carolina.

Because you embody the commitment to leadership and service Davidson seeks to instill in her students; because you never forgot where you came from; because you represent your family, your community and alma mater with character, grace and humility, the Davidson College Alumni Association honors you, Fletcher Lee Hartsell, Jr., with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, on the occasion of the your thirty-fifth reunion, this twenty-fourth day of April, 2004.