Dickson honored for distinguished service

(From left to right) Dean Karen Gil, Mary Anne Dickson and Dickson’s daughter, Chase Avery Wood. (photo by Mary Lide Parker)

UNC alumna Mary Anne Dickson ’63 has received the 2012 Dean’s Award for Distinguished Service to the College of Arts and Sciences.

The award, established in 2010 by the Arts and Sciences Foundation, recognizes

volunteers who have served the College with ‘extraordinary distinction,” said Dean Karen Gil in presenting the honor to Dickson at a recent meeting of the Carolina Women’s Leadership Council.

While serving as the founding chair and CEO of the council, Dickson “traveled tirelessly throughout the country, urging women to give of their time, talent and resources to Carolina,” said Gil.

Dickson also served on the national steering committee of the Carolina First campaign, which raised $2.38 billion for the University, including more than $486 million in gifts from women, who made up 48 percent of all campaign donors.

She and her sister Neal Johnson ‘76 established the Charles Garland Johnson Sr. Scholars Fund in the College to honor their father. The fund has provided study abroad opportunities for scores of UNC students from North Carolina.

Dickson chaired the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Visitors in 1998-99 and she is a member of the Lux Libertas Society. She and her husband Alan, who died earlier this year, have generously supported many programs throughout the University, including the Morehead-Cain Scholarship Program.

“Her inspired leadership and indefatigable service have set a powerful example for all who love Carolina, but most especially University alumnae past and future,” said Gil.

Also receiving the Dean’s Award this year is University Trustee Alston Gardner ‘77. He will be honored Nov. 2 at the meeting of the Arts and Sciences Foundation Board of Directors.