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2013 Distinguished Alumni Award Photos by Julie Wall
Business leader Ward Nye ’81 emphasizes integrity and ethical behavior M By Seth J. Jernigan ’96
artin Marietta Materials is the nation’s second largest producer of construction aggregates (rock and stone), with approximately 5,000 employees, annual revenue in excess of $2 billion and a market spanning 30 countries. Does overseeing all of this sound like a lot of responsibility? Yes, to most people, but Ward Nye ’81 makes it look easy. Nye leads with a grace and style that is notable among his friends, colleagues and competitors.
considering an individual who had achieved the very highest level of success in the business world. Nye’s résumé alone was most impressive. However, for those familiar with DA’s culture, it should be no surprise that professional success by itself is not the only consideration for this award. In an effort to fully vet Nye as a DA can applaud the fact that this year’s possible award recipient, several members of Distinguished Alumni Award recipient is the Alumni Board attended a CEO lecture the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company. series at N.C. State University where Nye Moreover, he reached that level of spoke. His lecture was impressive in many achievement the right way, and continues ways, but a notable, impactful component to promote honesty and integrity as a of his talk was the importance Nye and critical component of success. his company place on integrity and ethical behavior. Nye is the chief executive officer Mark Anderson ’81, Nye’s close of Martin Marietta and the recipient of friend, DA classmate and former Durham Academy’s 2013 Distinguished college roommate, acknowledged in his Alumni Award. He was honored at the comments at the Distinguished Alumni Spring Alumni Reception on April 12. Award ceremony how even one of Nye’s After graduating from Durham Academy, fiercest adversaries in the business world Nye attended Duke University, graduating acknowledge Nye as being a man of great with honors in 1984, and earned his law de- integrity. During Nye’s acceptance speech, gree from Wake Forest University in 1987. he again referenced the importance of The DA Alumni Board is charged ethical and moral behavior, referencing the each year with selecting a Distinguished portion of DA’s mission statement that says Alumni Award recipient. When learning DA strives to enable students “to live moral, of Nye and his position, the board happy and productive lives.” immediately recognized that it was To further qualify Nye, after spending 38
DURHAM ACADEMY RECORD | SUMMER 2013 | WWW.DA.ORG
TOP: Rob Everett ’86 (back to camera) talks with Chris Spatola, center, and Geoff Lamb ’86 at the Spring Alumni Reception on April 12 in the Upper School Learning Commons. BOTTOM LEFT: Ward Nye ’81 was honored with the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award. BOTTOM RIGHT: Seth Jernigan ’96, vice president of the Alumni Board; Ward Nye ’81, Distinguished Alumni Award recipient; Jamie Krzyzewski Spatola ’00, immediate past president of the Alumni Board; and Garrett Putman ’94, president of the Alumni Board.
a few minutes with him, most would agree that he’s friendly and down to earth. At the award ceremony, Anderson quipped that in high school Nye was the guy who everyone’s parents liked … “Oh, that Ward Nye, he’s such a nice boy.” DA can applaud the fact that this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient is the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company. Moreover, he reached that level of achievement the right way, and continues to promote honesty and integrity as a critical component of success. The business community needs more leaders like Ward Nye, and DA is proud to call him one if its own.