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University Awards (2005)

2005 University Award Recipients:

C. Clifford Cameron has been a member of the Board of Governors since 1991, serving as chairman from 1996 – 1998 and as chairman emeritus from August 2003 until January 2005. He chaired the 1993 University Award panel and served on many ad hoc committees.

Born January 4, 1920 in Meridian, Mississippi, and a chemical engineering graduate of Louisiana State University, Cameron was persuaded to move to North Carolina by his dear friend and World War II buddy, the late James M. Poyner, a Raleigh attorney. He is currently chairman emeritus and board member of the Foundation of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a Life Trustee at Wake Forest University and has established scholarships at Louisiana State University, NNCC and Peace College. His prior educational affiliations include membership on the Raleigh City School Board; chairman of the Board of Trustees of Meredith College; member of the Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina; president of the School of Business Foundation, UNC-Chapel Hill; and chairman of the Board of Trustees, UNC-Charlotte. He has earned a Doctor of Humane Letter honoris causa degree from Louisiana State University and the Doctor of Laws honoris causa degree from Davidson College.

William A. Johnson
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Born in Lillington, North Carolina, William Johnson received his education from Campbell College and UNC-Chapel Hill Law School. He began his career with a law practice in his hometown. He was the first president of the Lillington Industrial Corporation, organized in 1954 to hire new industry to the community. It lured in the Lillington Garment Company, which employed over 200.

Formerly a member of the Harnett County Board of Education, Johnson served as chairman of the county Democratic Executive Committee, town attorney and county attorney. He was county manager for Dr. Frank Graham during the race against Willis Smith for the U.S. Senate and for Senator W. Kerr Scott in his race for governor. He chaired the UNC Board of Governors, was former vice president of Campbell University's board, former member of he Harnett County Board of Education, former Commissioner of Revenue and a Superior Court judge. In addition, Governor Terry Sanford appointed him as Commissioner of Revenue during his term in office.

Dr. Cleon Franklin Thompson, Jr.
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Dr. Cleon F. Thompson, Jr., is currently Interim vice president for Institutional Advancement at Shaw University in Raleigh. A native of New York City, he received his public school education in Bennettsville, South Carolina and earned his Ph.D. in educational administration from Duke University.

He has served as a special assistant to the chancellor at North Carolina State University. chancellor of Winston-Salem State University, vice president for student services and special programs for the University of North Carolina General Administration, interim chancellor for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, provost and vice president for academic affairs for Shaw University. A veteran of the United States Army, Dr. Thompson was a bacteriologist in the Burn Surgical Unit of Brooks Army Hospital at Fort Houston, Texas. He is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in North Carolina and Who's Who Among Black Americans. He was also recognized by his alma mater with an Honorary Doctor of Human Letters for outstanding contributions in the fields of scholarship, leadership, and educational administration.