On May 7th, the University community will gather at the 2010 Legends & Leaders Awards Banquet to recognize and honor two outstanding individuals who have both achieved great heights in their personal, career and community involvement.  These awards are to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the community and society (Outstanding Service) and whose accomplishments and career activities have reflected glory on UTC (Distinguished Alumnus/a).

This year’s Distinguished Alumnus is J. Michael Pearson ’77/’79.

Mr. Pearson earned his B.S. in Criminal Justice in 1977 and his M.S. in Criminal Justice in 1979, both from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  After serving several years as a police officer with the Chattanooga Police department, his law enforcement career rose to new heights when he was hired as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service.  During his twenty plus years with the Secret Service, Pearson served on protective details for many high profile individuals, including U. S. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush , Vice Presidents Dan Quayle, Al Gore and Dick Cheney. Pearson also provided protection for visiting heads of state including Presidents, Prime Ministers, Queens, Kings and Pope John Paul II. At the end of 2004, he retired from his last Secret Service position as the Resident Agent in Charge in Jackson, Mississippi. In addition to his career in law enforcement, Pearson has also served as an adjunct professor at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and at The University of Mississippi in Oxford. Currently Mr. Pearson is the Director of Tennessee Operations for Radiance Technologies Inc., a Defense and Homeland Security Contractor.

This year’s Outstanding Service Award recipient is Gordon Davenport, Jr.

In 2003, Mr. Davenport and his cousin Elliott Davenport purchased the Chattanooga area franchise for Burger King, including 18 local restaurants. His experience in this industry stems from his family’s involvement in building the Krystal and Central Park restaurant chains. Davenport formerly served as Vice President of Marketing and Development at Krystal Company. He and wife Kristy have been involved in several major contributions that have significantly impacted The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He currently serves on the UC Foundation and as a founding member of the Stadium Corporation and has also served on the UTC Chancellor’s Roundtable.

Please feel free to leave a congratulatory comment for our recipients below.

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