UMO Honors Nixon with Lifetime Achievement Award
November 18, 2024
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
EDENTON, NC — Kermit W. Nixon of Edenton, NC was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award during the University of Mount Olive Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony, part of the 2024 Homecoming Weekend. The award recognizes Nixon’s outstanding contributions to his professional career, lifelong tennis dedication, and continued service to his alma mater.
Nixon attended Mount Olive College (now UMO) on a tennis scholarship and earned his Associate in Science degree in 1983. During his time as a student-athlete, Nixon achieved significant success on the tennis court. In 1982, he was crowned Eastern Tarheel Conference Champion, and in 1983, he received the prestigious Most Valuable Player honors. Nixon continued his academic and athletic journey at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW), earning his bachelor’s degree while competing on the tennis team under a scholarship.
A USPTA-certified tennis professional, Nixon has shared his love for the sport by teaching tennis to both adults and children. His passion for tennis and contributions to the sport were further acknowledged in 2022 when he and his fellow Mount Olive College tennis teammates were inducted into the UMO Athletics Hall of Fame.
Nixon’s professional career includes 24 years of service as a Senior Claims Adjuster with GMAC Insurance. Since 2011, he has worked for the North Carolina Department of Insurance as a Regulatory Analyst, where he has been instrumental in ensuring regulatory compliance across the state. In addition to his professional duties, Nixon serves on the USTA North Carolina Board, contributing to the advancement of tennis across the state, and is an active member of the UMO Alumni Board.
Nixon’s dedication to his career and community extends beyond his professional life. He and his wife, Kristi Nixon, also a Mount Olive College and UNCW alumna, have been married for 38 years. Together, they have two children, Kasey and Kanon.
The Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to their profession, community, and alma mater. Nixon’s decades of service, both on and off the tennis court, exemplify the spirit of this award.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. It was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
