Posted on Friday, October 03, 2025
Beloved in the college community, the Alumni Awards luncheon honors alumni who have attained a high level of success in their careers while also being avid supporters of the college. The event will take place on Friday, Oct. 17, at noon, in the Dickson Assembly Room at Turner Hall.
The Homecoming Weekend ceremony will recognize the recipients of the Shackelford Alumni Achievement Award, the Outstanding Young Alumni Award and the Honorary Alumni Award. This year’s honorees are J. Christopher King ’88, Emily Joy Thigpen McCarthy ’04, Robert L. Allen Jr. ’19 and Marcia Langham Brown.
“These recipients represent the best of LaGrange College,” said Martha Pirkle, Director of Alumni and Community Relations. “We are delighted to share in their successes.”
Shackelford Alumni Achievement Award
Christopher King ’88 earned a bachelor’s degree in art and design from LaGrange College and completed the reactor technology program for utility executives at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He is the director of corporate services at the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), a national organization headquartered in Atlanta, where it was established in 1979 by the U.S. nuclear power industry to set performance standards for all commercial nuclear plants. Since joining the company as a graphic designer in 1996, King has risen through the ranks within the Institute. In his current position, he leads the Institute’s communications and administrative services teams to ensure effective support across the organization and the nuclear industry.
In recognition for his above-and-beyond contributions to the company and outreach to the industry, King received the President’s Award.
He also works as the communications program director for the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) Atlanta Center, which represents more than 120 members operating over 430 nuclear power reactors through four regional centers in the U.S. and around the world. As part of his job responsibilities, King partners with peer directors from global regional centers (Moscow, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, London) to guide and implement global communications strategies and change initiatives.
He and his wife Leah ’91, have two adult children, Carson and Kyndal.
Emily Joy Thigpen McCarthy ’04 received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design and Photography from LaGrange College.
She is the Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director for her eponymous fashion brand Emily McCarthy, founded in 2007 in Savannah, Georgia. Originally focused on stationery and home décor items, the company expanded into women’s clothing in 2019. Since that time, it has grown to an eight-figure business with 400+ retailer locations.
McCarthy has served as a keynote speaker for the University of Georgia’s SBDC Women’s Summit and Club Car Championship’s Executive Women’s Day event. She also received the honor of being named the Junior League Savannah Volunteer of the Year.
In the community, McCarthy has served on Leadership Savannah and Blessed Sacrament School Board and volunteers with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Dress for Success, Union Mission, PACK Savannah, Buy Local, Parker’s House and Tharros Place. She also serves as a mentor for The Southern Coterie for other women in business.
She and her husband, Patrick ’04, have two children, Rhett and Lillian.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Robert L. Allen Jr. ’19 received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from LaGrange College and a Master of Global Policy Studies with concentrations in Security, Law and Diplomacy from the University of Texas at Austin.
He is a foreign service officer assigned to the U.S. Consulate General in Shenyang, China, which borders North Korea and Russia. Among Allen’s primary responsibilities are providing consular services and cultivating relationships with officials and citizens of the host country.
Previously, he interned with the Department of State’s International Organization Bureau in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Embassy Riyadh’s Public Affairs section in Saudi Arabia. Allen earned these opportunities after receiving the Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship, which prepares graduate students for careers in foreign service. He was among the less than four percent of applicants chosen as one of only 45 fellows.
His public service work includes serving as a U.S. Peace Corps English education volunteer in the Republic of Moldova from 2019-2020.
Honorary Alumni Award
Marcia Langham Brown received a bachelor’s degree in drawing and painting from Guilford College and a master’s degree in printmaking from the University of Georgia.
She came to LaGrange College in 1987 as an adjunct assistant professor of art and design. During her tenure, Brown served the college as professor and chair of the Art and Design Department and the Fine and Performing Arts Department. She oversaw the creation of the design major as well as hosted an interim printmaking trip to Paris with LaGrange College students in 2004.
In the community, Brown held the role of director for the Visual Arts Alliance of LaGrange from 2010-2012. She also assisted with organizing the All-State Festival of Art and Design for high school students at LaGrange College in 2005. Her artwork has been shown in several local and regional exhibitions.
Brown received the Vulcan Materials Company Teaching Excellence Award in 2022.
Since her retirement in 2023, she enjoys traveling, visiting family and friends, cooking and reading.
Also being honored at the luncheon is Sarah Funderburk ’45, who will be celebrating her 80th reunion this year. She studied piano at LaGrange and then moved into a career in education, a field that took her as far as the U.S. Embassy in Germany. Since retirement, she enjoys fellowshipping with friends at her family home on Broad Street.
Sports Management Club presents Jermaine Williams
Thursday, Oct. 9
11 a.m., Bailey Room
Unfurl: Ceramic Art of Carolyn Ford
Thursday, Oct. 9
11 a.m., Lamar Dodd Art Center
Football
Coming off their bye week, the Panthers—with their 2-1 record—return to the field on Saturday, Oct. 4, when they play host to North Carolina Wesleyan University in their USA South Conference opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Men's Soccer
LC had a strong week with a 1-0-1 record, tying Belhaven, 1-1, before claiming a Senior Day 2-1 victory over Millsaps College on Sunday, Sept. 28. The team is back on the field on Saturday, Oct. 4 (tomorrow), when they travel to Covenant College for a 3 p.m. CCS matchup.
Senior Lucas Duke was named Collegiate Conference of the South’s Offensive Player of the Week. He helped lead the Panthers to a thrilling 2-1, 90th-minute victory over formerly unbeaten Millsaps College on Sept. 28.
Freshman Raul Rivero was named CCS Defensive Player of the Week. He helped limit opponents to just two goals for the week.
Women's Soccer
The Panthers went 0-1-1 on the week, drawing Covenant, 2-2, before a 4-0 setback against Belhaven. The team will return to the field on Saturday, Oct. 4 (tomorrow), when they travel to Asbury University for a 2 p.m. CCS matchup.
Freshman Gabby Worthy was named Collegiate Conference of the South’s Offensive Player of the Week. She leads the Panthers with 12 points in 10 games. Worthy received the CCS Rookie of the Week honor earlier this month.
Women's Volleyball
LC went 1-1 at the Asbury Tri-Match on Saturday, Sept. 27. The team is back on the court on Saturday, Oct. 4 (tomorrow), when they travel to Piedmont University for another CCS tri-match.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Saturday, Oct. 4 – Cross Country at Berry, 9 a.m., Rome, Georgia
Saturday, Oct. 4 – Men’s Tennis at MUW, TBD, Columbus, Mississippi
Saturday, Oct. 4 – Football (Home) vs. North Carolina Wesleyan, 1 p.m., Callaway Stadium
Saturday, Oct. 4 – Women’s Soccer at Asbury, 2 p.m., Wilmore, Kentucky
Saturday, Oct. 4 – Volleyball vs. Covenant (@Piedmont), 2 p.m., Demorest, Georgia
Saturday, Oct. 4 – Men’s Soccer at Covenant, 3 p.m., Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Saturday, Oct. 4 – Volleyball at Piedmont, 4 p.m., Demorest, Georgia
Monday, Oct. 6 – Men’s Golf at West Pines Collegiate, Douglasville, Georgia
Tuesday, Oct. 7 – Men’s Golf at West Pines Collegiate, Douglasville, Georgia
Wednesday, Oct. 8 – Men’s Soccer (Home) vs. Piedmont, 5 p.m., Panther Field
Wednesday, Oct. 8 –Women’s Soccer (Home) vs. Piedmont, 7 p.m., Panther Field
Category: Community, College
Keywords: Business, Art, Government
