UMO Honors Outstanding Alumni and Friends at Annual Awards Ceremony
November 22, 2022
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
The University of Mount Olive recognized distinguished alumni and supporters during its Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony held as part of Homecoming Weekend. This year’s honorees represent a broad range of professional fields, yet all share a clear commitment to their work, their communities, and the University.
Alexis B. “Lexie” Welch, RN, Ed.D., of Lenoir County received the Alumni Hall of Fame Award. With more than five decades in nursing and higher education, Welch has contributed significantly to health sciences programming across eastern North Carolina. A 1973 Mount Olive College alumna, she currently serves as Dean of Health Sciences and Nursing at Lenoir Community College and has held key leadership roles at the state and national levels. Her career has been guided by a steady focus on patient care, education, and service. She has chaired the North Carolina Board of Nursing, served with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and works with Duke University on dementia care initiatives. Welch also serves as Board Chair of the Kinston Community Health Center and has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Sigma Theta Tau Leadership in Excellence Award.
Stephen Anderson of Charlotte received the Dianne Riley-Gray Distinguished Service Award. Anderson, a 1998 graduate and former Division II Academic All-American golfer, has built a respected career with Truist, where he leads strategy and operations for technology, data, and enterprise services. His professional record and industry involvement reflect the purpose of this award. He began his career in Commercial Lending in Goldsboro before transitioning to operations and technology, areas in which he has now worked for nearly three decades. Anderson also serves on the boards of Viewpointe and the Electronic Check Clearinghouse Organization, where he previously served as Chair.
Wanda Becton of Goldsboro received the W. Burkette Raper Leadership Award. Becton attended Mount Olive College from 1979 to 1981 and has spent more than 30 years serving children and families through the Wayne Action Group for Economic Solvency, Inc. (WAGES), where she is Health Services Manager for Head Start. She previously directed the Child Development Center at the Lenoir County Mental Health Center and has remained active in the arts through longstanding involvement with Center Stage Theatre, Encore Entertainment, and the Paramount Theatre’s Child of the Promise. Her service extends to the community through the Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities, Delta Kappa Gamma, the Brogden Grange, and the Lady Banks Garden Club. In 2019, she performed at Carnegie Hall with composer Pepper Choplin, and she has continued to perform annually in regional concerts and Christmas productions, including her twelfth year in the role of “Elizabeth” this December.
The Honorary Alumnus Award was presented to Donnie “Don” Lassiter of Selma in recognition of his long-standing support of UMO and the Free Will Baptist community. A leader in both business and ministry, Lassiter has held roles with Heartland Payment Systems and has served on numerous church, nonprofit, and civic boards. As Chair of the UMO Board of Trustees, he continues to support the University’s work and direction. Lassiter also serves as President and Chair of the North Carolina Foundation for Christian Ministries and has contributed to organizations such as the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center, and the Johnston County Economic Development Board. He manages Greenwing Hunt Camp in Hyde County, a property maintained for youth and accessible hunting opportunities.
Gary Barefoot of Mount Olive received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions to UMO and the local community. A 1959 Mount Olive College graduate and former Director of Library Services, Barefoot guided the development of Moye Library and later served as Curator of the FWB Historical Collection and University Archives. His efforts have strengthened the preservation of both University and denominational history. Under his leadership, Moye Library grew from 8,000 to more than 60,000 volumes and evolved into a technologically modern facility. Barefoot has also served in numerous civic roles, including the Mount Olive Jaycees, the Exchange Club, the Wayne County Public Library Board, and local literacy and community events.
Andy Sullivan of Wayne County received the Lorelle Martin and Michael Pelt Excellence in Teaching Award. A UMO Visual Communications graduate with nearly 20 years of teaching experience, Sullivan is recognized for his thoughtful approach to instruction and his involvement in school activities, athletics, and community programs. He is also known for his work as a traditional decoy carver. At Southern Wayne High School, he has served on the leadership team for 17 years and has coached multiple sports, including baseball, wrestling, softball, and girls soccer. His craftsmanship as owner of SASquatch Decoys has connected him with outdoor groups and artists throughout the region.
Don Fader of Kinston received the Tillman School of Business Alumni Award. A 1976 MOC graduate, minister, and financial professional, Fader has built a long career in mortgage and construction lending and has held leadership appointments at the state and national levels. His work reflects a consistent commitment to both ministry and industry. He serves as Director of the Free Will Baptist Minister’s Program and Director of the Church Finance Association and chairs the Revision Committee for the denomination’s Articles of Faith. Fader’s professional accomplishments include being named National Mortgage Professional of the Year and serving on the North Carolina Banking Commission.
James Benson of Grantham received the Young Alumni Award. A 2021 photography graduate and veteran of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, Benson completed five combat deployments before returning to North Carolina to pursue photography full-time. He now serves as Imaging Supervisor for Worldwide Golf Shops and continues to support UMO through volunteer photography at athletic events. Benson also operates his own photography business and donates his time to charitable causes, his church, and local community organizations.
UMO President Dr. H. Edward Croom said, “These honorees demonstrate the many ways our alumni and friends contribute to their fields and the communities they serve. Their accomplishments highlight the lasting value of a University of Mount Olive education and the impact it has throughout the region and beyond.”
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
