George Lester Little '64
(Year Awarded--2004)

From the moment that George Lester Little, Jr. arrived in the fall of 1960, he became an energetic contributor to Davidson College campus life. A history major and a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, George also lent his voice to the male chorus and served as an ROTC Commissioned Officer, earning prestigious Scabbard and Blade honors.

Davidson was delighted to witness George’s continued success as he carried this leadership forward, entering law school at the University of North Carolina. He graduated in 1967 with honors and his juris doctor degree. From 1967-1971 he served his country as a captain with the JAG corps of the United States Army. In his civilian years thereafter, he worked his way up to partner status at Kilpatrick Stockton, one of the nation’s most acclaimed law firms, and became recognized in Who’s Who as among the best American lawyers.

Even while George attends to his clients and his thriving practice, he continues the Davidson College tradition of service to his community, remaining active as a board member of the Piedmont Opera, the Winston-Salem Rotary Club and the Winston-Salem Alliance. He has served in executive roles within the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, the Winston-Salem Symphony Association and the Winston-Salem United Way. Appointed as Chair of the American Bar Association’s Task Force for Anti-Trust Compliance for the Health Care Industry, George also is a member of the International Trademark Association, the St. Andrews Society of North Carolina, and the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities Commission. He was also President of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Host Committee for the Italian Olympic Teams during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games and a member of the North Carolina Transportation Finance Committee.

These days, he is involved in another fruitful venture: along with classmate Lee Martin, he operates Round Peak Vineyards in Mount Airy, NC, home of gold-medal winning wines.

George likewise has tended to alma mater, in order to nurture future generations of students who take root and thrive at Davidson. He has served as a member of the Alumni Association Board, the 1964 class secretary, and chair of the Davidson Alumni Admission Program committee for Winston-Salem. George has been a committee member for many of his Davidson reunions, and served as Regional Leader of the Campaign Cabinet during the Winston-Salem Regional Campaign. He has committed financial resources to WDAV, the Donald Plott Music Scholarship, the Kendrick Kelley Award in History, the Dean Rusk International Studies Program, the Campus Center, and a fund honoring Dr. Malcolm Lester, Professor Emeritus of History.

Perhaps his most precious demonstration of commitment to Davidson College lies in entrusting the educations of his two children to her.

Because of your commitment to improve the lives of those around you; because of your loyalty, enthusiasm and leadership to the class of 1964; because of your service to alma mater; the Davidson College Alumni Association honors you, George Lester Little, Junior with this Alumni Service Award on the occasion of the 40th Reunion of the Class of 1964 on this 24th day of April, 2004.