Richard Anthony Orsbon '69
(Year Awarded--1997)

While growing up in the small town of Millers Creek, North Carolina, Tony learned to value education at an early age. The oldest of three children born to elementary school teachers, you could say he came by this quite naturally. His decision to attend Davidson College was made primarily because of its size and academic reputation, but Tony also wanted an opportunity to play basketball for Coach Lefty Driesell and the school's nationally ranked program. Although he came to Davidson without a scholarship as a "walk-on" player, he has made lasting contributions to the College since his arrival on campus in August 1965.

During his days as a student-athlete at Davidson, Tony distinguished himself in a number of areas. He received varsity letters in both basketball and track, where he broke the school high jump record. He also served as a hall counselor, as copy editor of The Davidsonian, as a writer for Miscellany and as a member of the Red & Black Masquers theater group. His superior academic achievements as an English major coupled with his involvement in so many areas of student life gained him entrance into Omicron Delta Kappa. He also was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and was elected as ROTC Brigade Commander.

Upon graduation from Davidson in 1969, he received a Patrick Wilson Scholarship to attend law school at Vanderbilt University. He distinguished himself at graduate school by making the Law Review and landing a job with the prestigious law firm of Parker, Poe, Adams and Bernstein in Charlotte. Now a partner in the firm and manager of their South Park office, he remains a dedicated servant and friend of the College. Tony has served as President of the Alumni Association and as a College Trustee, he has been both an Annual Fund Class Agent and Class Secretary, and he has served on his 25th Reunion Committee and the Ne Ultra Society Committee.

Although he has volunteered in many areas at Davidson, his most significant contribution to the College has come in his five-year term as President of the Davidson Athletic Foundation. During his tenure as President, he has been a driving force behind the overhaul and redirection of the Foundation. His solid leadership of the Athletic Foundation ends this fiscal year, but he will take over as Chair of the Track Project for Davidson Athletics effective July 1.

Because you make Davidson College proud to claim as her own, and because of your outstanding support of all that encompasses the College, the Davidson College Alumni Association presents this Alumni Service Award to you, Richard Anthony Orsbon, on this day, May 27, 1997.