Distinguished Alumni Award
The highest honor bestowed by the College of Charleston Honors College, the Distinguished Alumni Award publicly recognizes Honors College alumni who are noted for their professional achievements, their contributions to society, and their support of the College of Charleston. Honorees have performed exceptional service for the College of Charleston through cumulative contributions or by extraordinary efforts that advance the both the Honors College and the College of Charleston.
2023 RECIPIENT
Sara DeWolf, J.D. '02
Sara DeWolf graduated from the College of Charleston Honors Program in 2002 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She also holds a J.D. from Duke Law School and an Ed.M. in Education Policy and Management from Harvard.
Sara began her career as an educator, teaching preschool technology classes in Chicago, IL, and 6th grade at Gregg Middle School in Summerville, SC. After teaching and developing a passion for social change, Sara entered law school at Duke and went on to practice civil litigation at the Charleston firms Pratt-Thomas Walker, and McCullough Khan. Her practice areas included securities litigation, property law, health care law, insurance litigation and appellate law. After leaving full-time law practice, Sara pursued a master’s degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she worked closely with nationally renowned education leaders.
Sara is currently an active community leader in Charleston, serving as the Board Chair for Charleston Hope, a nonprofit focused on increasing access to mental and behavioral health programs in Title I schools. She also serves as a trustee of Ashley Hall School, a board member and former Public Policy Council Chair of Trident United Way, a board member of the Charleston Coalition for Kids, and a development council member for the College of Charleston School of Education. Sara lives on Daniel Island with her husband, Ben, and daughters, Bridgette and Amelia.
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS
2022 - Colleen Condon '92
2021 - Kenyatta L. Gardner '08
2020 - Stephanie B. Wheeler '03
2019 - Susan West Story '93
2018 - Michael S. Shemtov '00
2017 - Arlinda Locklear, J.D. '76
2016 - Lisa Broome, Ph.D '92
2015 - Melissa Siegel, Ph.D '03
2014 - James G. Hodge Jr., J.D., LLM '89
2013 - Howard L. Hall, Ph.D '85
2012 - Wills Geils, MD '88
2011 - Beth Middleton Burke, J.D. '94
2010 - Steve Swanson '89
CRITERIA
- Graduate of the Honors Program/College at the College of Charleston
- Exemplary Professional Achievements
- Significant Contributions to Society
- Distinguished Service to the Honors College and the College of Charleston