The Adrian L. Shuford Jr. Award is the College’s highest honor, presented annually to individuals whose service, generosity, and leadership reflect the example of one of Catawba’s most devoted benefactors and longest-serving chairs of the Board of Trustees.
Bob and Susan Arnold, have long been part of the life of Catawba College. Susan, who majored in education, spent her career in the field and has long valued the educational mission at the heart of the College. Bob, a business administration major, went on to a successful career in the furniture industry and, in 1995, received Catawba’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
Bob’s formal service to the College spans nearly four decades. From 1987 to 2025, he served as a member of the Board of Trustees, including four years as chair from 2021 to 2025. In this role, he continued a family legacy of leadership at Catawba established by his grandfather, who also served as chair of the board. Additionally, Bob chaired the search committee that called the College’s 24th president, Dr. David P. Nelson.
Together, Bob and Susan have invested generously in the future of their alma mater. They established an endowment fund for athletics and have consistently supported the College’s advancement efforts. As longtime Chiefs Club members, they have been a familiar presence at Catawba basketball and football games. Their commitment to the College has extended beyond campus through their efforts to strengthen Catawba’s standing in the community, the region, and beyond.
“Bob and Susan Arnold have given generously in service to Catawba College for many years,” said President David P. Nelson, “of their resources, time, and judgment—but also in the care they have for this College and its people. The time they have dedicated here reminds us that philanthropy, at its best, is the sharing of what we have out of love for others.”
The inscription on the 2026 award recognizes the Arnolds for their love of their alma mater, their decades of distinguished service, and their vision for its future. In honoring Bob and Susan Arnold, Catawba College recognizes a pattern of generosity and stewardship that has strengthened the life of the institution over time.
“A college depends on a good economy and a culture of giving, service, and shared responsibility,” Nelson said. “Bob and Susan have helped sustain that kind of life at Catawba. They have understood that what we receive must also be handed on, and they have helped strengthen this College for those who come after us.”
The annual 1851 Society and Adrian L. Shuford, Jr. Award Dinner celebrates philanthropy, leadership, and service to Catawba College. The event reflects the College’s continued commitment to building lasting relationships and investing in the people and opportunities that shape its future.
The Adrian L. Shuford, Jr. Award is presented annually to individuals whose actions and generosity to both the College and their communities emulate those of the late Adrian L. Shuford, Jr. First presented in 1983 as the President’s Award for Distinguished Service, the honor was renamed in 1984 in recognition of Shuford’s extraordinary contributions to Catawba College and his enduring legacy of leadership and service.
Prior Adrian L. Shuford, Jr. Award Recipients
Other recipients and the year in which they received the award include Dr. Theodore P. Leonard, 1983; Enoch A. Goodman, 1984; Clifford A. Peeler, 1985; James F. Hurley, 1986; Ralph W. Ketner, 1987; Elizabeth C. Stanback, 1988; Roy E. Leinbach, Jr., 1989; Frances H. Johnson, 1990; Patricia P. Rendleman, 1991; Mariam Cannon Hayes, 1992; Tom E. Smith, 1993; Claude S. Abernethy, Jr., 1994; Millard F. Wilson, 1995; Fred J. Stanback, Jr., 1996; Paul E. Fisher, 1997; Daniel E. Kirk, 1998; Mary O. Dearborn, 1999; Wilson L. Smith, 2000; Marion M. Richard, 2001; J. Fred and Bonnie Corriher, 2002; William C. Stanback, 2003; Jacqueline C. Leonard, 2004; Charles Taylor, Jr., 2005; Newton O. Fowler and C.A. "Junie" Michael III ‘70, 2006; Claude B. Hampton, Jr. and James L. Williamson, 2007; Charles G. Potts, Wade Hampton Shuford, Jr., Dr. Robert E. and Brenda S. Knott, 2008; Robert and Sara Cook, 2009; Raymond and Shirley Ritchie and David E. "Gene" Fuller, 2010; Gordon P. Hurley and Martha Kirkland West, 2011; Joseph B. Oxendine, 2012; Larry Cloninger and Barry Leonard, 2013; William “Bill” and Shari Graham ‘83, 2014; Richard “Dick” Seiwell ‘67, 2015; Greg Alcorn ‘79, 2016; Darlene Landis Ball ‘62, 2017; Daniel T. Bross ‘71, 2018; Deborah Messinger ‘74, 2022; Dr. Dolan Hubbard ’71, 2023, D. Bryan Jordan ‘84, 2024, Tom ’77 and Mary Jo Dennard, 2025; (it was not awarded in 2019-2021 due to COVID-19).
