Scott Stevens and Brian Wise Inducted into the Honorary Alumni Association

ON FEBRUARY 8, Scott Stevens, former chair of the Board of Trustees, and Brian Wise, longtime director of Diversity Planning, were inducted into the Honorary Alumni Association. Founded in 1981, the Honorary Alumni Association celebrates faculty and staff, parents, trustees, and friends of Country Day whose distinguished service and generous support have made a lasting impact on the school. At this event, we also recognize the David L. Hood Jr. Award for Volunteer Service and the Alumnus of the Year: Mark Ethridge ’06. Read his story on page 34.

Many alumni were in attendance at this year's Honorary Alumni Association dinner.

Honorary Alumnus for Philanthropy: Scott Stevens

Scott’s linear, thoughtful, and strategic leadership, compounded with his unwavering belief in Country Day’s mission, has served and strengthened our school for more than a decade. Since 2014, Scott has served as a Board of Trustees member and is one of only two Board chairs to serve an additional term. As chair, Scott led Country Day through the conclusion of the largest and most transformational capital campaign in our school’s history, record-breaking admissions inquiries and enrollment, a DEIB Strategic Plan, and the hiring and transition of a new Head of School, all while navigating the challenges of a global pandemic.

Chief Financial Officer David Mancos said of Scott’s leadership: “We had a COVID crisis, and Scott led us through that; we had a leadership transition, and Scott led us through that. When America was crying out for social justice and we had the same issues here in Charlotte and at Country Day, Scott was there with a steady, unflinching hand. He is hands down one of the three best leaders I’ ve ever served with in my life.”

Former Board Chair Watts Hamrick ’77 said, “Scott’s commitment to this school is extraordinary. He is wicked smart with a balance that few people have. He brings grace and compassion to everything he does.”

Honorary Alumnus for Faculty and Staff: Brian Wise

Brian joined Country Day in 1998, serving as our first director of Diversity Planning for the past 25 years. In this role, Brian assists all faculty and staff, students, and parent groups as they work to embed Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) into all aspects of school life. His steadfast work enriches the entire Country Day community by enlightening, educating, and striving to create equity and a sense of belonging for all. Brian’s ease in the most difficult conversations pushes the Country Day community to deepen our views, expand our knowledge, and center our “come as you are” belief. He was instrumental in the development of our school’s Affirmation of Community, as well as the Diversity Awareness Forum in Upper School, the Middle School ACT Conference, Country Day’s People of Color in Independent Schools (POCIS), and its POCIS ACT award. He has also authored two DEIB Strategic Plans, shepherding Country Day to live out our Affirmation of Community.

Tianna Butler, associate director of Diversity Planning, said, “It’s been an immense honor to work with Brian. He has the biggest heart and he really, really cares for the people in this institution. He has touched countless lives of students and faculty members.”

Bryce Vanfield ’25 has known Brian since he was in kindergarten. “He’s just a great influential person in the community and a great mentor. He is somebody you see always supporting students, he introduced me to the Black Student Union, and he presented me with a great opportunity to lead my own diversity group with some of the young minority males at the school. He’s just an all-around great person.”

L. Hood Jr. Award for Volunteer Service: Ron and Courtney Eliasek

This award recognizes volunteers who have given exemplary service to Country Day, demonstrating an active belief in the school and its mission, tireless energy, positive determination, and a heartfelt commitment to the betterment of our students’ experiences and opportunities. This certainly describes Ron and Courtney Eliasek.

Their dedication and service to our school is vast and has set a precedent for high standards. As community chairs of the ambitious Forefront Campaign, Ron and Courtney’s leadership and teamwork were instrumental to the Campaign’ s historic success. Together, Ron and Courtney also chaired the 2015-16 Country Day Fund and have each served on the Advancement Committee at various times. Courtney is also a volunteer leader and past president with the Parents’ Association, as well as a leader with the Upper School theater program. Equally steadfast in his volunteerism, Ron is on the Board of Trustees, where his insightful questions, willingness to dive right in, and partnership are tremendously valued.

Current Board Chair Bill Zimmern ’95 said, “The school thrives because of people like Courtney and Ron who invest their time, energy, and commitment across many years.”

In accepting the award the Eliaseks shared three “examples of how amazing our faculty and administrators are to our children, and how wonderful the school has been to the Eliasek family. We’re very grateful for what Country Day has meant to us and honored to have been able to give back.”