Published: September 30, 2009 11:47 am      

Pfeiffer Alumni Association honors 2 grads

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 — Pfeiffer University’s Alumni Association Board honored two of its well-respected graduates for their service, leadership and career achievements at a special ceremony Sept. 26 during the university’s Homecoming 2009 weekend Sept. 25-27.

The Distinguished and Outstanding Alumni Awards were established to annually recognize Pfeiffer graduates for their commitment to the university and their professional achievements.

This year’s recipients are: Rick Thames, executive editor of the Charlotte Obser-ver, who received the Dis-tinguished Alumni Award, and Jack Ingram, assistant professor of sports management and chair of the sports management department at Pfeiffer, who was given the Outstanding Alumni Award.

“The honorees have demonstrated ongoing support to the university and have made a dramatic impact in their chosen professions,” said Paul E. Clark, director of alumni relations.

“They have shown in many ways how a Pfeiffer education can fuel success and are an inspiration to our students.”

An editor for various newspapers for more than 20 years, Thames began his career as a military affairs reporter at The Fayetteville Observer, where he investigated a controversial parachute that contributed to several soldiers’ deaths. He has served as top editor of the Charlotte Observer, the state’s largest daily newspaper, since July 2004.

While at the Observer, Thames helped lead two projects that broke new ground in civic journalism, one of which became a finalist for the 1994 Pulitzer Gold Medal for Public Service.

He earned a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree from Pfeiffer in 1975. Thames serves as a member of the Pfeiffer Board of Trustees.

He and his wife, Debbie Hardaway Thames, a Pfeiffer alumna, have been longtime Pfeiffer supporters. They live in Charlotte.

Ingram has been employed by Pfeiffer in numerous capacities since 1977. He has worked as head women’s basketball coach, head softball coach, and has served as athletic director. Ingram is well-respected and a longtime Pfeiffer supporter. He has generously given his time to recruit students to Pfeiffer and his talents campus-wide.

Ingram earned a master’s degree from UNC Chapel Hill and a bachelor’s degree from Pfeiffer in 1974. He and his wife, Nancy Mac-Dade Ingram, also a Pfeiffer graduate, established the Mr. and Mrs. E. Jack Ingram, Sr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship to honor his parents. The couple lives in Richfield.