Lowdermilk Student Achievement Awards

Annually, the Fayetteville Rotary presents the Lowdermilk Student Achievement Awards to Methodist University students to honor long-time Rotarian Dr. William P. Lowdermilk. Established in 1995, the awards were created to honor Lowdermilk for his service to Rotary and to Methodist by exposing students to the concepts of values and ethics in the workplace.

Lowdermilk joined Methodist in 1963 and held several roles for 35 years. At the time of his retirement, he served as Vice President for Church and Community Relations (1985). After retirement, he served on the MU Board of Trustees. A long-time Rotarian, Lowdermilk advocated nurturing moral value and teaching ethical decision-making in all his positions, which mirrored his dedication to Rotary and belief in the  Rotary 4-Way Test.  The Lowdermilk Student Achievement Awards are funded through a Methodist University Endowment fund established to honor Lowdermilk.  Since the first awards were presented in 1995, more than 200 students have benefited from the endowment.

The 2026 recipients were honored on April 16 as the Fayetteville Rotary Club presented a combined $31,000 in tuition credits and cash to four Methodist University students. 

Students recognized were: Harry Crokam (Queensland, Australia, Sports Management), Charleigh Hewett, Whiteville, NC (Criminal Justice, Forensic Science), Damian Jefferson (Fayetteville, NC, Graphic Design), Mally King (Clayton, NC, Biology), David Melvin (Roseboro, NC,  Industrial & Systems Engineering), Chloe Mukibi (Kampala, Uganda, Business Management), Jeremiah Sansbury (Fayetteville, NC Marketing and Business Administration), Anuja Sonnad (Pune, India,  Business Analytics)

2026 Lowdermilk Student Achievement Award Winners