Distinguished Alumnus
Leaders. Dreamers. Game-changers.
For more than a century, Darlington alumni have carried the values of wisdom, service, and honor beyond our campus gates and into the real world. Each year, the Distinguished Alumnus/na Award is presented to Darlington and/or Thornwood alumni representing one or more of the following areas:
- notable achievement in professional field
- service to his or her community, state or nation
- service to the arts, sciences, or humanitarian causes
- loyalty to Darlington
Established in 1983, the Distinguished Alumnus/na Award is given by the Alumni Council. Nominations are solicited each year from the alumni body.
Alumni Spotlight
Meet John
A four-year boarding student at Darlington and former president of his senior class, John H. Irby ('81) has built a distinguished career in law, business and civic leadership while remaining deeply connected to his alma mater. After Darlington, he earned his B.A. from the University of Georgia and his J.D. from Mercer University, and now serves as managing partner at Wilson, Brock & Irby LLC in Atlanta, where he focuses on commercial real estate and business law. Over more than three decades in practice, he has earned a reputation for his legal expertise, business insight and commitment to client service.
Distinguished Alumni List
2025
John H. Irby '81, Atlanta, Ga.
2024
R. Crawford Brock Jr. '72, Dallax, Tex.
2023
Dr. Robert P. Hortman '72, Rome, Ga.
2022
Mr. Larry Williams '67, Atlanta, Ga.
2021
Dr. Frank D. Stegall Sr. '62 Rome, Ga.
2019
Mr. William G. "Bill" Smith Jr. '72, Tallahassee, Fla.
2018
Mr. Wright Bagby '63, LD '12, Rome, Ga.
2017
Mr. Lee Thuston '67 of Birmingham, Ala.
2016
Dr. J. Daniel Hanks Jr. '61, LD '12 , Rome, Ga.
*Mrs. Villa Sulzbacher Hizer '66T, LD '12, Rome, Ga.
2015
*Mr. Robert J. Glenn '60, Atlanta, Ga.
*Mr. Neal L. Williams '54, Atlanta, Ga.
2014
Mr. Robert L. Berry '64, Rome, Ga.
Dr. William C. Gordon '64, Atlanta, Ga.
2013
*Mr. W. Gardner Wright '47, Rome, Ga.
2012
Mrs. Nancy Smith Hunter '65T, Rome, Ga.
Mr. Don Maddox '59, Hobbs, N.M.
2011
Mr. Gordon A. Smith '71, New York, N.Y.
2010
*Mr. Claude H. Booker, Jr. '50, Sea Island, Ga.
*Dr. Joseph E. Johnson III '47, Ponte Vedra, Fla.
2009
*Mr. John P. Hine '53, Rome, Ga.
2008
Mr. William A, Mitchell '58, Atlanta, Ga.
Mr. Roby Robinson Jr. '58, Alpharetta, Ga.
2007
Mr. Jere A. Drummond '57, Charlotte, N.C.
2006
*Mr. William M. Huffman '40, Rome, GA
*Mr. I.M. Sulzbacher '30, Jacksonville, Fla.
2005
*Mr. George G. Griffin Sr. '38, Rome, GA
Mrs. Joyce Riddle Neely '62T, Winston-Salem, N.C.
2003
*Dr. Elson S, Floyd '74, Pullman, Wash.
2002
Mr. Lyons Joel Heyman '44, Rome, Ga.
2001
Mr. William S. Morris III '52, Augusta, Ga.
2000
*Mr. F. Frederick Kennedy Jr. '60, Augusta, Ga.
Mr. W. Frank Barron Jr. '48, Rome, Ga.
1999
*Mr. George G. Griffin Jr. '68, Rome, Ga.
*Mr. Harold F. Hunter Jr. '49, Rome, Ga.
1998
*Mr. Stephen D. Potts '48, Chevy Chase, Md.
1997
*Dr. Benson R. Wilcox '49, Chapel Hill, N.C.
*Dr. Frank C. Wilson '46, Chapel Hill, N.C.
1996
Mr. Thomas G. Cousins '48, Atlanta, Ga.
1995
*Mr. Joseph W. Grier Jr. '33, Charlotte, N.C.
*Mr. John W. Maddox Sr. '27, Rome, Ga.
1994
*Dr. John L. Ochsner '44, New Orleans, La.
1993
*Mr. David M. Lacy '49, Zebulon, Ga.
1992
*Mr. William A. DuPre III '51, Rome, Ga.
*Dr. Mims Gage Ochsner '45, New Orleans, La.
1991
*Mr. George H. Johnson '54, Atlanta, Ga.
1990
*Mr. John W. Thatcher '44, Miami, Fla.
1989
*Mr. C.G. Mills '55, Chattanooga, Tenn.
*Mr. J. Daniel Hanks Sr. '27, Rome, Ga.
1988
*Dr. William P. Harbin Jr. '22, Rome, Ga.
1987
*Dr. Thomas S. Harbin '33, Rome, Ga.
*Mr. Alfred Lee Barron '26, Rome, Ga.
1986
*Mr. Charles Alexander Hight '32, Rome, Ga.
*Dr. Edgar F. Shannon Jr. '35, Charlottesville, Va.
1985
*Dr. H. William Scott Jr. '33, Nashville, Tenn.
*Mr. Ramsay D. Potts '34, Washington, D.C.
1984
*Mr. Earnest Paul Rogers '21, Atlanta, Ga.
*Mr. Oscar L. Betts '19, Columbus, Ga.
1983
*Mr. J. Thomas Watters '44, Rome, Ga.
*Deceased
