John William Kerr '57
(Year Awarded--2003)

John William "Jack" Kerr

When John William "Jack" Kerr arrived at Davidson in 1953, he had already distinguished himself as a leader and a scholar. In the years to come, Jack continued to excel. Active in college, he was a member of the Economics Club, the International Relations Club, ROTC, the YMCA, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In 1957, Jack left Davidson with a degree in economics.

Soon after, he began a career of service and commitment that is rarely seen today. He spent more than thirty years with the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Concurrently, he spent thirty-two years with the Allstate Insurance Company, retiring in 1994. Jack has been an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts, the United Way, the Norris Cultural Arts Center board, the Fox Valley Special Recreation board, and the board of Park Commissioners in Illinois. In addition, his church has always been a priority in his life, leading him to serve as a vestry member, Sunday school teacher and chairman of several church committees.

Despite his commitment to his community, church, and business, Jack has always found time for Davidson. He has served Davidson as a president of the Jacksonville and Atlanta alumni chapters, vice-president of the Tampa/St. Petersburg alumni chapter, member of the Davidson Alumni Admission Program team in Chicago, and reunion committee member. He has attended nearly every class reunion since graduation and has been an outspoken booster in encouraging family and friends to attend Davidson. Most importantly, Jack has faithfully served as the class secretary for the class of 1957. Jack's service in that role has been exemplary twenty-one years of keeping his classmates informed and connected to each other and to Davidson.

Because you so vividly demonstrate Davidson's commitment to producing graduates who conduct lives of leadership and service; because you have shown loyalty and dedication to your community, your church, your employer, your family, and your college; and because you make Nancy Blackwell in Davidson's Alumni Office happy every time you send your class notes in on time, the Davidson College Alumni Association honors you, John William Kerr, with the Alumni Service Award, on the occasion of the Class of 1957's 45th Reunion, April 5, 2003.

When John William "Jack" Kerr arrived at Davidson in 1953, he had already distinguished himself as a leader and a scholar. In the years to come, Jack continued to excel. Active in college, he was a member of the Economics Club, the International Relations Club, ROTC, the YMCA, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In 1957, Jack left Davidson with a degree in economics.

Soon after, he began a career of service and commitment that is rarely seen today. He spent more than thirty years with the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Concurrently, he spent thirty-two years with the Allstate Insurance Company, retiring in 1994. Jack has been an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts, the United Way, the Norris Cultural Arts Center board, the Fox Valley Special Recreation board, and the board of Park Commissioners in Illinois. In addition, his church has always been a priority in his life, leading him to serve as a vestry member, Sunday school teacher and chairman of several church committees.

Despite his commitment to his community, church, and business, Jack has always found time for Davidson. He has served Davidson as a president of the Jacksonville and Atlanta alumni chapters, vice-president of the Tampa/St. Petersburg alumni chapter, member of the Davidson Alumni Admission Program team in Chicago, and reunion committee member. He has attended nearly every class reunion since graduation and has been an outspoken booster in encouraging family and friends to attend Davidson. Most importantly, Jack has faithfully served as the class secretary for the class of 1957. Jack's service in that role has been exemplary twenty-one years of keeping his classmates informed and connected to each other and to Davidson.

Because you so vividly demonstrate Davidson's commitment to producing graduates who conduct lives of leadership and service; because you have shown loyalty and dedication to your community, your church, your employer, your family, and your college; and because you make Nancy Blackwell in Davidson's Alumni Office happy every time you send your class notes in on time, the Davidson College Alumni Association honors you, John William Kerr, with the Alumni Service Award, on the occasion of the Class of 1957's 45th Reunion, April 5, 2003.