NEWS

Carolina’s Crumpton scholarship
celebrates 10 years of success

By CATHERINE HOUSE
Office of University Development

CHAPEL HILL -- On May 12, Shanika Paylor of Roxboro became the 15th student from Person High School to receive the Slade and Hannah Bradner Crumpton Scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The scholarship was established in 1991 by J. Slade Crumpton of Durham in honor of his parents. It is awarded to students based on their academic ability and financial need, and preference is given to students from Person County who are nominated each year and selected by the UNC scholarship committee. This is the 10th year the scholarship has been awarded.

Crumpton, who grew up in Person County and graduated from Roxboro High School (now Person High School) presented the scholarship to Paylor at Person High School’s Senior Awards Night. Like all of the students who have previously received the scholarship, Paylor is near the top of her class and has earned numerous honors. Her activities include serving on the journalism staff; participating in Keywannettes, the Spanish Club and the Literary Club; volunteering for Learning Connections; tutoring at North Elementary School; and writing poetry.

"I am always pleased with the qualifications of the students," said Crumpton who has presented the scholarships each year to the chosen students. "It has been a highly successful program. All have gone on to graduate from Carolina and many have gone on to graduate school."

Shirley Ort, director of Carolina’s Office of Scholarships and Student Aid, said, "Generous gifts from alumni like Slade Crumpton help make sure talented students are able to reach their educational goals without financial worry." Despite the University’s relatively low tuition, almost 40 percent of undergraduates still need financial aid, Ort said.

A 1955 graduate of Carolina, Crumpton has led a successful business career in the Durham area. He was president of Crumpton Company, a Durham-based insurance brokerage firm; chairman of Crumpton Capital, Inc., an investment advisory firm; became chairman of the CSC Corporation in 1996; and then became chairman of Asura Corporation in 1999. Crumpton is currently chairman of Drug Safety Alliance (DSA), which provides drug safety services to pharmaceutical companies including the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). DSA was founded in 1999 by Crumpton’s daughter, Catherine Crumpton Stokes, who serves as president and CEO.

Crumpton is married to Shirley Owens Crumpton, formerly of Roxboro. Both of their children are Carolina graduates. Stokes received her master’s degree in medicinal chemistry in 1987, and James Slade Crumpton Jr. received his bachelor’s degree in 1985 and his MBA from Kenan-Flagler in 1990. Crumpton Jr. is director of Gulfstream Capital in Raleigh. "We are a family with strong ties to the University," said Crumpton, who has served on Carolina’s Board of Visitors, UNC Hospitals’ Board of Directors, and the UNC Medical and Dental Foundations’ Boards.

Aware of Crumpon’s strong connection to Carolina and his prominence in the local business community, Chancellor Paul Hardin (1988-1995), a close friend of Crumpton’s, invited him to lunch one afternoon before the start of Carolina’s Bicentennial Campaign. Hardin asked him, along with four other key donors, to make a major gift to kickoff the campaign and encourage others to contribute. Since Crumpton’s father had just died at the time, he decided establishing a scholarship in his parents’ name would be a way to honor his parents for their strong support of education.

"Paul did me a favor that day," Crumpton said. "I am pleased with the growth of the fund and the important resource it has provided for students from Roxboro to attend UNC. Having been raised the son of poor farmers in Person County, I know the peace of mind it provides these students who know they will have the financial resources to complete their full college education.

"When they graduate, these students are able to enter society with skills and experience to make a difference. Hopefully some will return to their roots in Person County. My gift is an invitation for others to follow."

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News Services Contact: Mike McFarland, 919-962-8593
Person High School Contact: Connee White, 336-599-8321 ext. 1019
UNC Office of Development Contact: Cate House, 919-843-7023; cate_house@unc.edu

Past Recipients

1994-1995:

Oren Mitchell Lang (now Lang-Furr) BA Business ’98
Riley Jermaine Pulliam AS Physical Education ’98

1995-96:

Brandi Carol Dunkley AS Psychology ’99
Allison Nicole Lucas AS Chemistry ’99

1996-97:

Daniel Shaun Bowes AS Math and Applied Science ’00
Jason Keith Morrell Journalism ’00
Cicely Melane Oakley AS Economics ’00

1997-98:

Latoia Aster Johnson AS Psychology ’01

1998-99:

Noel Bryant Crumpler Nursing ’03

1999-00:

Susan Ashley Boone AS Anthropology ’03

2000-01:

Shelley Lynn Clayton AS English ’04

2001-02:

Jessica Dee Yancey AS Sociology ’05

2002-03:

Alychia R. Price AS Exercise and Sports Science ’06

2003-2004:

Brandon Lavon Cates Political Science ’07