Fletcher White Bright '53
(Year Awarded--2003)

Fletcher White Bright first arrived at Davidson from Tennessee, the "other side of the mountains," in the fall of 1949, armed with a willingness to serve, to lead, and to learn. He was also armed with his fiddle, and he has blessed Davidson College with his wonderful music and generous nature ever since. A business administration major, he was a leader in his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, and he was a Captain in ROTC. During his Davidson years, Fletcher's band was known as "The Cripple Creek Boys". They played over WIST in Mooresville and put on shows whenever and wherever they could gather a crowd.

Fletcher Bright

From Davidson, Fletcher returned to Tennessee and earned advanced degrees in law and business. He joined a small, family-owned business and proceeded, over the next 50 years, to turn it into a colossus in the real estate industry. The Fletcher Bright Company dominates the residential real estate market in Chattanooga. Additionally, the company develops, owns, and manages shopping centers in nine states. Along the way, Fletcher has participated in almost every professional and civic endeavor in Chattanooga, including serving the Bright School and McCallie School as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Somehow, Fletcher also found time to raise five children, three of whom are Davidson graduates.

Fletcher's volunteer service to alma mater is unsurpassed. Every time Davidson has called for help, he as responded without hesitation. Fletcher served on the Alumni Association Board in the 1970s. For many years, he was the Alumni Class Notes Secretary and the Annual Fund Class Agent. He served as the alumni chapter president in Chattnooga and led the Chattanooga Regional Campaign for Davidson in 1994. He has been a member of the Parents Council, a Ne Ultra fundraising volunteer, and, of course, the Chair for the Class of 1953's Fiftieth Reunion.

Over the past fifty years, Fletcher has made many trips to Davidson with his band. First called "The Cripple Creek Boys" and later "The Dismembered Tennesseans", Fletcher and his band members have delighted alumni and students on this campus for years.

Because you have unselfishly given back so much to alma mater, because you have inspired so many people through your dedication to great music, and because your professional and business ethics are beyond reproach, the Davidson College Alumni Association honors you, Fletcher White Bright, with the Alumni Service Award on the occasion of the Class of 1953's 50th Reunion, April 5, 2003.