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March 17, 2008
Turman honoree to donate award

By ERIC RANGUS

The J. Pollard Turman Alumni Service Award honors Emory graduates who give back to their alma mater through service. On March 7 in the Miller-Ward Alumni House, it was the Emory Alumni Association that gave back in presenting the 2008 Turman Award to Phil Reese ’66C-’76MBA-’76L.

When accepting the award, Reese said his relationship with Emory had come full circle — from student to alumnus to honoree. During his alumni years, Reese has contributed leadership, advising, mentoring and more, across the Emory enterprise. As a graduate student, Reese worked to help create Emory’s JD/MBA program, from which he was the first graduate.

President Jim Wagner, in presenting the award, noted that Reese’s core reason for engagement with Emory was that the University gave Reese a chance when it didn’t have to.

“It’s as simple as that,” Wagner said. “Emory gave him an opportunity to excel. He did. And he has never forgotten. And Phil Reese’s long memory and deep gratitude are still being felt across our University more than 40 years after he first stepped onto our campus, and it will continue to be felt long into the future.”

Reese intends to donate his $25,000 award (along with a match) to Goizueta Business School to support its leadership sailing program. The Turman Award, Emory’s highest alumni award for service has been presented annually by the EAA since 1998.