Congratulations to the Annual Alumni Award Recipients
Distinguished Alumni Award
To be awarded by the Alumni Association Board of Directors to honor excellence in one’s profession or community service.
Gary Weart ’71, also known as the “Nowhere Man” (a radio nickname that he acquired while working as a DJ for Pfeiffer’s radio station), is the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award winner. Gary earned double degrees in Social Studies and Biology, and after graduation, he enlisted in the Army for three years as a counter-intelligence special agent. After his career in the Army came to a close, Gary knew he wanted to follow in his parents’ footsteps in community service, so he began his journey of teaching and coaching high school students in the public school system.
During Gary’s 42-year teaching career, he experienced the loss of 14 students to violence. This loss inspired him to become an activist in the area of school violence prevention. He and a student founded the National Association of SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere.) SAVE now has chapters extending to 50 states and several foreign countries. He authored a book entitled “A Teacher Shoots Back.” Gary has worked tirelessly alongside mayors, governors, senators, members of Congress, and two U.S. presidents to encourage safe learning environments, homes, and communities. In 1995, Gary received the Presidential Service Award from President Clinton.
Gary enjoys, traveling, photography, and visiting with Pfeiffer Baseball legend Coach Joe Ferebee.
Outstanding Alumni Award
To be awarded by the Alumni Association Board of Directors to honor one’s significant contributions to Pfeiffer University.
Frank Lea '68 arrived at Pfeiffer in 1964 as a young man without a clear plan, but the strong work ethic he learned from his parents served him well as a student. He earned a degree in History and a minor in English in 1968. Lea’s determination and hard work continued to be of benefit throughout a career in sales that lead him to three states.
At the age of 52, Lea founded Lea Contract Drapery, in Laurinburg, NC. The company experienced great success, yet he humbly credits his material success “more to luck than to skill.”
Lea has been a great supporter of Pfeiffer University. He outfitted Stokes Student Center with window blinds, provided the digital sign that promotes Pfeiffer in front of south campus, and has generously supported numerous other university projects and student groups.