William Elliott White '44
(Year Awarded--1997)

While growing up in the town of Graham, North Carolina, Elliott White always figured he would attend college twenty-five miles away at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. However, entering his senior year of high school, he began to have his doubts.

Although his father had attended Chapel Hill, Elliott had a long list of family who matriculated from Davidson College -- including both of his grandfathers, an uncle and four first cousins. As college decision time drew near, the thought of smaller classes and a smaller student body became more appealing to Elliott. Along with fifteen other classmates at the McCallie School, he enrolled at Davidson College in the fall of 1940.

While a student at Davidson, Elliott distinguished himself in a number of areas. A chemistry major, with a minor in biology, he also lettered on the Varsity Track team and was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. His other campus activities included ROTC, "D" Club and a number of intramural sports.

Upon graduation from Davidson College, he attended the Bowman Gray School of Medicine from 1944 to 1946. After receiving his medical degree, he served as a U.S. Army Captain for three years before beginning his full time medical career in the area of pediatrics. Throughout his successful career as a physician, Elliott always took time out for his community, his church and alma mater. He served Davidson in official capacities as Class Secretary, Annual Fund Class Agent, Annual Fund Class Chair and as a volunteer in the Baker Sports Complex Capital Campaign.

Although Elliott has a deep appreciation for all that encompasses Davidson College, his first love is Davidson Athletics. A charter member of Wildcat Club in 1950, Elliott is unquestionably one of Davidson's staunchest athletic backers. If the gates of Richardson Field or John M. Belk Arena are open, the chances are good that you will see Elliott and his wife, Shirley, supporting their beloved Davidson Wildcats.

Because you make Davidson College proud to claim you as her own, and because of your unwavering support of all that is Davidson College, the Davidson College Alumni Association present this Alumni Service Award to you, William Elliott White, on this occasion of your Fiftieth Reunion, April 19, 1997.