A Legacy of Impact: Leslie Tarkington and the True Meaning of Alumni Service

Leslie Tarkington‘s (MBA ’69) impact on the University of Virginia Darden School of Business spans decades. As a class agent for the Class of 1969, she has kept over 50% of her classmates engaged in giving — all while organizing unforgettable class reunions that strengthen bonds and renew connections. This past spring, she orchestrated her class’s 55th reunion, bringing her peers back to Grounds for a weekend filled with reflection and celebration. And if that weren’t enough, Tarkington is also a civic leader, serving as an elected official in her hometown of Greenwich, Connecticut.

Her efforts reflect a deeper commitment to Darden — one of continuous service, engagement and leadership. It’s this unwavering dedication that earned her the Harry N. Lewis Distinguished Service Award, a recognition that goes beyond personal achievement. The award — established in 2016 by Dearing Johns to honor her late husband Harry’s (MBA ’57) legacy — is bestowed upon those alumni whose contributions keep the Darden community vibrant and connected.

For Tarkington, it’s not just about fundraising or organizing events — it’s about building a lasting legacy of involvement that ensures Darden thrives for future generations. As she accepted the award at last week’s Darden Annual Meeting, it was clear that her story is one of steadfast loyalty and creative leadership — a shining example of what the Lewis Award represents.

Honoring Collective Achievements

Darden also recognized the collective efforts of various alumni classes. The Class of 1974 — led by Brad Armstrong, Dick Crawford, and Mike Mayer — claimed the highest reunion attendance with 43%, while the Executive MBA (EMBA) Class of 2014 — led by Lauren Conroy — saw 56% attendance. These strong turnouts are a testament to the camaraderie that continues long after graduation.

In giving, the EMBA Class of 2009 — led by Drew Holzwarth, Tim Oakhill and Tami Moore — led the reunion-year categories with 55% participation, while the Class of 1963 (led by Hugh Campbell and Bob Gaines) and EMBA Class of 2011 (led by Tom Tichenor, Dave Schmidle and Chris Mehalic) achieved impressive participation rates of 63% and 56%, respectively, among non-reunion classes. The highest dollar total raised during a reunion was awarded to the Class of 1984 — led by Peggy Doherty and John Jung — which brought in $2.1 million. Non-reunion classes were led by the Class of 1978 (led by Mike Gainey and Margot Bearden), with a remarkable $15.9 million raised, and the EMBA Class of 2022 (led by Michelle Turek Cobb), with more than $47,000.

All classes that improved their giving participation from FY23 to FY24 were also celebrated, recognizing the leadership and dedication that helped drive these improvements. The Class of 1999 — led by Kelly Thomson and Reggie DeVilliers — received special recognition for achieving the largest increase in giving participation, with a 17% boost. Additionally, the following classes were honored for achieving 50% or higher giving participation: Class of 1958, Class of 1963 (led by Hugh Campbell), Class of 1984 (led by Gary Wilhite), EMBA Class of 2009 (led by Tom Oakhill), and EMBA Class of 2011 (led by Tom Tichenor and Dave Schmidle).

Celebrating Leadership and Engagement

The event shined a spotlight on individual leadership as well. Allison Bridges (MBA ’01) received the Outstanding Class Engagement Leadership Award for boosting class giving to 29%. Her enthusiastic outreach during Darden’s end-of-fiscal-year competition led to a 5% increase in participation in just three weeks — showcasing her remarkable influence and commitment to building a culture of philanthropy.

The Class of 1994’s Reunion Committee — led by Tamara Harvey De Dios, Carl Peoples and Kathryn Thompson — was honored with the Outstanding Reunion Committee Leadership Award. Their thoughtful planning —a personalized class-wide survey, a wine-tasting event and a touching tribute to classmate Damon DeVito — made their 30th reunion a truly memorable experience.

Additionally, the Class of 1984 — led by Peggy Doherty, John Jung, Debbie McPhillips and Gary Wilhite — was recognized for having the highest percentage of Hickory Club members — with 41% of classmates giving consecutively for three or more years. The Class of 1989 — led by Champe Fisher, John Parsons and Elizabeth Hagood — had the highest percentage of Darden Society members, with 8% of the class making significant contributions.

Recognizing Chapter Excellence

Celebration extended to alumni chapters as well. The Outstanding Domestic Chapter Award went to the Charlotte chapter — led by Emily Caldwell (MBA ’19), Brian Nwokedi (MBA ’12), Kathryn Thompson (MBA ’94) and Lauren Ulrey (MBA ’13). Post-COVID, the chapter regained momentum with a successful spring event featuring Interim Dean Jean Liedtka and continued to engage alumni through networking events.

The Outstanding International Chapter Award was given to the Mexico chapter — led by Markus Kritzler (MBA ’04), Pablo Odriozola (MBA ’05) and Jose Maria Zertuche (MBA ’00). They organized several key events, including networking receptions, thought leadership discussions and a campaign luncheon — all designed to maximize faculty time and inspire engagement.

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