Dunavant Alumnus of the Year

The Alumni Executive Board named Bill Dunavant ’78 the Alumnus of the Year at its annual awards luncheon September 19. Chair of the Greater Memphis Chamber Chairman’s Circle, Dunavant has made it a priority to change the Memphis narrative by focusing on the positive aspects of the city. Through this position, he is challenging businesses to advocate for accessible education, job attainment, and community engagement.
CEO, president, and chairman of Dunavant Enterprises, Inc., a supply chain management company, Dunavant knows what Memphis has to offer and the role it can play in the region, the nation, and the world.

To his first Chairman’s Circle meeting, he invited not just business leaders but also political, religious, nonprofit, and faith-based leaders, challenging them to work together to reclaim the narrative and propel Memphis forward.

In addition to serving greater Memphis, Dunavant has been generous to his alma mater. Since 2014 he has served on the MUS Board of Trustees, providing leadership and guidance on both the Development Committee and the Finance and Endowment Committee. He launched the Ellis L. Haguewood Legacy Endowment campaign in 2017, and he serves as the co-chair of the Pacesetter Committee of the Bold Vision Bright Future Capital Campaign. Dunavant brought his presentation about the advantages of Memphis to chapel August 16.

“Sixty percent of the graduates of MUS come back to this city to make it a better place,” he told the boys. “When I talk to Fred Smith [’62], Pitt Hyde [’61] … that statistic is real. That’s the most compelling argument I have when I ask someone to give money to MUS. MUS graduates make a difference in this city.”

“Wherever he is, Bill champions our city and its potential, and we honor him today for his vision and dedication to Memphis,” Harley Steffens ’98 said while introducing the honoree. “Bill and his wife, Michelle, have four children: Hilary Markley (husband Max, and children, Chloe and Briggs), Audsley Carr (husband Tucker ’08 and daughters, Alice and Ruth), Billy ’16, and Harry ’18.”

Dunavant got emotional speaking about the gift of education his parents gave him at Memphis University School and the 60 years his family has been involved with the school.

“It is an honor and a privilege to accept this award from a wonderful group of people. God bless and thank you.”

See photos from the Alumni Executive Board awards HERE.
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