Release date: Oct. 10, 2007
Contact: Beverly Cox Clark at 404-712-8780 or beverly.clark@emory.edu

2007 Emory Medalists Honored for Decades of Dedication

Contact: Eric Rangus, 404-727-3390, eric.rangus@emory.edu

Two of Emory University's most distinguished and dedicated graduates recently received the University's highest alumni honor, the Emory Medal. The 2007 Emory Medalists are longtime administrator Bill Fox, who dedicated much of his career to the university, and Ronnie Weathers, a doctor who began his lifelong relationship with Emory as an undergraduate more than 50 years ago.

Emory President James Wagner presented the medals during a ceremony Oct. 4 at the Emory Conference Center. About 260 people attended the formal event.

Bill Fox, who earned his Ph.D. at Emory in 1979, retired from Emory in January 2005 following a 34-year university career that included 10 years as vice president for campus life and 13 years serving as vice president for the former division of institutional advancement. Although he has retired from day-to-day work at Emory, Fox has continued to remain active and contribute to the university, most visibly with the dedication of the Bill and Carol Fox Center for Humanistic Inquiry during Homecoming Weekend in 2006. Fox currently serves as president of the Rollins Educational Initiative.

Ronnie Weathers came to Emory as an undergraduate in 1956. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1960, and dental degrees in 1962 and 1966. He has been a member of the faculty since then, first in the former Emory School of Dentistry, now in the School of Medicine. Weathers continues to gives back to his alma mater through the education of its students, the care of its patients, the mentoring of fellow physicians and contributions and leadership in the wider health care community. Now the vice chairman for oral pathology and director of the Office of Dental Programs in the School of Medicine, Weathers is a distinguished champion of health care and medical education.

"In the cases of Bill Fox and Ronnie Weathers, the Emory Medal can be considered a lifetime achievement award—except that our 2007 recipients continue making exceptional contributions to Emory and the world at large. Their leadership in the Emory community continues to grow, and all of us can be thankful for their cherished contributions. On behalf of the entire Emory community, the Emory Alumni Association is proud to congratulate our new Emory Medalists," says Allison Dykes, vice president of alumni relations.

The Emory Medal was first awarded in 1946 and is one of the highest honors given by the university. Designed and first cast in 1987, the medal is Emory's highest alumni honor. It previously was known as the Alumni Association Award of Honor, and has been awarded to more than 150 alumni. The medal is emblazoned with Emory's seal, which features the University motto, Cor prudentis possidebit scientiam: "The prudent heart will possess knowledge."

Honorees are recognized for their accomplishments in at least one of the following areas: distinguished service to Emory, the Emory Alumni Association or a constituent alumni association; distinguished community or public service; or distinguished achievement in business, the arts, government, education or other professions.

Emory University (www.emory.edu) is one of the nation’s leading private research universities and a member of the Association of American Universities. Known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate college of arts and sciences, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities, Emory is ranked as one of the country's top 20 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to its nine schools, the university encompasses The Carter Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, the state's largest and most comprehensive health care system.

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