Celebrating Intergenerational Excellence
Across class decades, Morehead-Cain Alumni continue to innovate, inspire, and pioneer. Alumni advanced their education, launched ventures, earned prestigious recognition, and redefined purposeful leadership in action.
Here's a snapshot of how alumni exemplified leadership and impact this year.
- Frances Seymour '81 received an honorary doctorate at Carolina's May commencement for her pioneering work in climate and forest policy.
- Angela Chadwick '89 joined Wing, a drone-delivery service and sister company of Google.
- Mike Morton '94 made Super Bowl history in February 2025 as the first person to both win and officiate the championship game.
- Dr. Furman McDonald '91 was appointed president and CEO of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and the ABIM Foundation.
- Jamie DeMent Holcomb '01 was named a 2024 Eisenhower Fellow and spearheaded the rebranding of Kidzu to the North Carolina Children's Museum.
- Kristina Chapple '22 was named to Forbes "30 Under 30" in venture capital for her work with 11 Tribes Ventures.
- Pratyush Seshadri '25 became Carolina's 23rd Marshall Scholar, who will pursue graduate study at Oxford.
- Kyle Lumsden '25 received a Fulbright grant to study addiction treatment with Jamaica's National Council on Drug Abuse.
- Jasper Schutt '24 was awarded the Schwarzman Scholarship to pursue a master's at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
These achievements are just a glimpse of the impact Morehead-Cains are creating, from advancing research and influencing public policy to transforming industries and cultivating the leaders needed in today's world.
Celebrating Shared Identity and Milestones
Morehead-Cain Alumni and Scholars gathered to commemorate anniversaries, shared experiences, and friendships.
First Class of Women Scholars
In September, eight members of the class of 1979 reunited on campus to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the first women scholars in the Program. The group returned for a weekend of celebration, reminiscing, and storytelling.
British Reunion
Later that month, sixty alumni and guests convened at Dartmouth House in London to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the British Morehead-Cain Programme. Current scholars studying in England and France participated in the event, which included recognition of James Dean '89 and Henry Stevens '92 for decades of outstanding service on the British scholarship and selection committees. New British program ambassadors Connie Longmate '19, Joel Semakula '12, and Will Hayles '07 were introduced, and Megan Mazzocchi (then Morehead-Cain's vice president) was honored ahead of her retirement.
Fifty Years of Black
Morehead-Cain Excellence
In October, nearly 100 Black Morehead-Cain Alumni, scholars, and guests returned to Chapel Hill to mark the 50th anniversary of the Morehead-Cain Program's first Black graduate, Harvey Kennedy '74. The weekend, which brought together alumni spanning five decades, included a cookout at the Pit, a walking tour of campus that highlighted key Black history sites, and a gala at the George Watts Hill Alumni Center keynoted by Karen Stevenson '79, the first Black female Morehead-Cain Scholar.
Exploring Art and Culture through Alumni Journeys
Alumni and their guests went on two Morehead-Cain Alumni Journeys this past year, each designed to strengthen connections and inspire reflection through cultural exploration.
In September, alumni traveled alongside Morehead-Cain President Chris Bradford to the British Museum, Sir John Soane's Museum, and Oxford's historic colleges, among other sites. The Alumni Journey culminated at the gala dinner at Dartmouth House with local British alumni, scholars, and friends.
In May, the community explored the artistic soul of the Southwest in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with curated visits to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, Museum Hill, and the Turner Carroll Gallery, hosted by Tonya Turner Carroll '89. The journey also included a welcome dinner hosted by Elizabeth Kistin Keller '04 and Mayor Tim Keller in Albuquerque and participation in the Santa Fe Regional Event.
Building Community Across Regions
This past spring and summer, Morehead-Cains convened in cities throughout the country, including New York City, Dallas, San Francisco, Denver, Raleigh, Charlotte, Asheville, Santa Fe, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. The regional gatherings, hosted by alumni spanning multiple decades, united alumni, scholars, and finalists.
The Asheville event on May 29 brought together our Western North Carolina community to celebrate the region's resiliency after Hurricane Helene. We were joined by Civic Collaboration teams supporting Asheville and Black Mountain, as well as area Impact Educators. Attendees donated goods for BeLoved Asheville's Wings for Kids bags to support summer enrichment for local children.
"The impact of the Morehead-Cain on my life has evolved with time, from friends and tangible support as an undergraduate and recent alumna to a network of new friends and a foundation of experiences that have been part of my trajectory a decade-plus afterwards."
Morgan Camille | Class of 2015
Expanding Mentorship and Scholar Support
Mentorship remains the cornerstone of the Morehead-Cain experience. Alumni served as mentors, coaches, and connectors, providing guidance to scholars navigating their Carolina journeys. The Morehead-Cain Mentorship Program supported rising juniors and seniors exploring career paths and developing leadership confidence.
Alumni Spotlights
Kyle Lumsden ’25 awarded Fulbright for addiction medicine research in Jamaica
Kyle Lumsden ’25 has received a Fulbright award to conduct research on addiction medicine strategies…
A Tony Award and more: Morehead-Cains on the move
Morehead-Cain Alumni landed new jobs, received accolades, stepped into new seasons of life, and more….
The Catalyze podcast: Investing in the future, with North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner ’99
On this episode, North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner ’99 shares about his new role…
Charting Paths
Barbara Rosser Hyde '83 of Memphis, Tennessee, joined the Morehead-Cain Foundation Board of Trustees in January.
Barbara is a champion for education reform and a leader in place-based philanthropy. She serves as chair and CEO of the Hyde Family Foundation, investing in education, community development, civic engagement, and the arts.
Barbara has served as national board chair for New Leaders and contributed to numerous local and national boards including Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, Yale University Art Gallery, Teach for America, and Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.