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2011 Alumni Award Winners
Distinguished Alumnus Award
The Distinguished Alumnus Award is presented to an alumna/us who has made a significant contribution to society in his or her particular career. Basis for selection includes career advancement and related service to others, significant honors in one's field, and commitment to the College.
Jim B. Lloyd, ’61
Jim Blake Lloyd graduated from Davis & Elkins College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering in 1961.Lloyd was President of his senior class, of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity and the Inter-Fraternity Council. He was Vice President of Sigma Tau Delta English honorary and the Engineering Society. He served as Senior Editor of the year book, Senatus, and was a varsity basketball letterman.
Lloyd is a registered Professional Engineer in West Virginia, Ohio, and Georgia. His career began with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Pittsburgh District where he was the Resident Engineer on the Hannibal Locks & Dam on the Ohio River until 1973. After receiving top performance recognition, he became the Resident Engineer on the Smithland Locks and Dam on the Ohio River in the Nashville District. In 1976, Lloyd moved to Georgia to serve as the Resident Engineer on the Richard B. Russell Dam, Lake, and Powerhouse project on the Savannah River in the Savannah District.
In 1982, Lloyd accepted a position as Assistant Administrator of the Southeastern Power Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy. He managed the day-to-day operations of the federal power system in 10 southeastern States. He served on several committees and organizations in the electrical industry, the primary collective purpose of which was to protect and enhance the reliability of the electrical system of North America. Among consistently outstanding performance ratings and exceptional service awards, he received the Distinguished Career Service Award from the Secretary of Energy in 2004 upon his retirement after 42 years of service.
Lloyd has also contributed to his community in many ways and currently serves as Chairman of the Elberton Federal Savings & Loan Association and of the Elbert Memorial Hospital Authority. He has served as President of the Elberton Rotary Club, the Elbert County Historical Society, the Samuel Elbert Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and as Chairman of the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce.
He spearheaded his Davis & Elkins College 50th Class Reunion and its 50th Reunion Class Gift. A member of the 1904 Society, Jim continues to be faithful in support of D&E annual giving campaigns.
Tower Award
The Tower Award is presented to an alumna/us for outstanding commitment and service to the College and its alumni programs. This award recognizes alumni who have gone above and beyond for the College. Basis for selection includes volunteering of time, talent and/or funds in support of the numerous student and alumni programs the College offers.
Debbie Payne Fragale, ’81
Debbie Payne Fragale graduated from Davis & Elkins College in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Fashion Merchandising. An experienced Senior Retail Executive, Debbie Fragale focuses on entrepreneurial success, with distinctive skills in developing brand loyalty, providing outstanding customer relations, and managing distribution through strategic analysis of sales data.
Fragale’s life exemplifies service in many forms. During college, she held offices in Beta Alpha Beta, Phi Mu, and Phi Beta Lambda. She served in student government and was active in campus ministry activities. She was a member of the Fashion Club, the French Club, modeled in many school fashion shows, and participated in intramural sports. In 1981, she was Miss D&E, was elected by the full Greek population to receive the Outstanding Greek Spirit Award, and was named Outstanding Business Student.
As an alumna, Fragale volunteered as the Alumni Representative during initiation of new members in the Phi Mu Beta Rho chapter. She was co-chair of the “Taking Care of Business” fashion show and reunion and returns annually to help with the Beta Alpha Beta award banquet. She has supervised internship students, and participated in Project Interview and “An Evening with Business.” She has helped lead a number of fund drives at D&E including the 2009 Athletic Boosters campaign.
Fragale has served as a Senior Projector Mentor at Elkins High School and sponsored a fundraising event for the Elkins High School Cheerleaders’ new uniforms drive. She worked as the coordinator between Stone & Thomas and the Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown to help stock the house with needed items as it prepared to open.
Fragale served the Mountain State Forest Festival for five years, the Rotary Club as a Board member and Co-Chair of the Events Committee, and is a Paul Harris Fellow. She is a “Wish Granter” for Make a Wish Foundation, and helped to start a D&E alumni chapter in Richmond, Virginia.
Outstanding Young Alumnus
The Outstanding young alumnus award is presented to a young alumnus who graduated within the last 10 years and shows promise in his or her profession and loyalty and commitment to the College. Basis for selection includes professional achievements and honors, community service/service to others, and commitment to the College.
Lonnie Martin, ’02
Lonnie Martin graduated from Davis & Elkins College in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts, and has written over a dozen scripts for both stage and screen in West Virginia, the District of Columbia, Chicago and Toronto. His work has been recognized by some of Washington, D.C.’s finest actors, producers, authors, and arts advocates as well as film festivals in California and Pennsylvania.
Ningen Manga Productions was officially launched in 1999 when Martin, along with acclaimed artist Leanne Buckley, developed and independently published Strangling Desdemona, a comic book based on Martin’s screenplay of the same name. Shortly afterward, Martin was invited to join the writing and development staff of the internationally recognized Santa Fe Writers Project. He contributed essays on the comic book writing style as well as on the practicalities of the writing life. Strangling Desdemona was selected as best screenplay in SFWP’s awards program hosted by author Richard Currey.
After several screenplays and awards in Washington, D.C.’s theatre scene, Martin soon began immersing himself in film. He appeared in independent films, took some time off to marry actress Cindy Marie Martin, then returned to screenplays. In May 2005, Martin wrote, directed and co-produced the short film, First Session. The film garnered positive reviews and was accepted as an official entry in both the Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival and the West Chester Film Festival.
Martin notes he still continues to hold a great love for D&E and visits at least once each year. He says: “My time here [at D&E] is what has made me the person I am today.”
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