Men of Distinction
McCallie Alumni Award Recognition
The Distinguished Alumnus Award is given each year to a graduate who has rendered outstanding service to McCallie. A graduate’s contributions and influence in his profession and community are also considered.
McCallie’s Alumni Achievement Awards are presented annually to graduates who have shown outstanding accomplishments in a chosen career and distinguished themselves professionally. Alumni are eligible to be nominated after their 15th reunion and are selected in accordance with their reunion-year cycle.
The True Blue Award honors an alumnus for "distinguished service" to his class. This award recognizes and thanks those whose exemplary gifts of time, outreach, and enthusiasm have been "true blue" in preserving the bonds of brotherhood for the class and keeping the long blue line running strong over the many years.
Since 1905, McCallie men have left the Ridge and gone on to do amazing things. They represent McCallie with Honor, Truth, and Duty in numerous fields.
Below is a list of some of our most notable alumni. This list includes national politicians, artists of great renown, scientists credited with new discoveries, media moguls, hard working athletes, and sharp businessmen. This list is constantly growing as McCallie alumni are always accomplishing new things.
Ambassador/Senator Howard Baker Jr. ’43
Boarding student from Huntsville, TN
Known as the ‘Great Conciliator’, Baker was a U.S. Senator from Tennessee (1967-1985), including serving as Minority Leader (1977-1981) and Majority Leader (1981-85). He also served as White House Chief of Staff (1987-88) under President Ronald Reagan. Winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984. U.S. Ambassador to Japan 2001-2005.
The Belk Family
John Belk ’39
Ike Belk ’41
Tom Belk ’42
Boarding students from Charlotte, NC
The Belk Brothers’ father, William Henry Belk, founded New York Racket, later to be called Belk Brothers. In the second generation of the family-owned store, brothers John and Tom took over as chief officers and transformed the company from a downtown bargain store to a modern fashion destination. Brother, Ike, was involved with the family company’s investments, and served as a United Nations delegate.
The Belk Family
John Belk ’39
Ike Belk ’41
Tom Belk ’42
Boarding students from Charlotte, NC
The Belk Brothers’ father, William Henry Belk, founded New York Racket, later to be called Belk Brothers. In the second generation of the family-owned store, brothers John and Tom took over as chief officers and transformed the company from a downtown bargain store to a modern fashion destination. Brother, Ike, was involved with the family company’s investments, and served as a United Nations delegate.
The Belk Family
John Belk ’39
Ike Belk ’41
Tom Belk ’42
Boarding students from Charlotte, NC
The Belk Brothers’ father, William Henry Belk, founded New York Racket, later to be called Belk Brothers. In the second generation of the family-owned store, brothers John and Tom took over as chief officers and transformed the company from a downtown bargain store to a modern fashion destination. Brother, Ike, was involved with the family company’s investments, and served as a United Nations delegate.
Michael Bingham ’04
Boarding student from Burlington, NC
Olympic athlete who won a Bronze medal for Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing in the 4x400 relay.
Zane Birdwell ’98
Day student from Signal Mountain, TN
Grammy award-winning sound designer known for his work on Michael J. Fox’s memoir.
Dr. Hood Boyd ’46
Day student from Chattanooga, TN
Ophthalmologist and Inventor of the soft contact lenses.
Secretary Bill Brock ’49
Day student from Lookout Mountain, TN
U.S. Representative from Tennessee (1963-1971); U.S. Senator from Tennessee (1971-77); Chairman of the RNC (1977-81); U.S. Trade Representative (1981-85); U.S. Secretary of Labor (1985-87). Brock was the first McCallie alumnus to serve in Congress, starting a 48-year streak.
Governor Carroll Campbell Jr. ’58
Boarding student from Greenville, SC
Governor of South Carolina (1987-95) and U.S. Representative from South Carolina (1979-1987)
The Campbell Family
Sam Campbell Jr. ’21
Sam Campbell III ’52
Sam Campbell IV ’77
John Campbell ’85
Day students from Lookout Mountain, TN
The Campbell family has been involved with Chattanooga Bakery, which makes the famous MoonPie, since its inception in 1902. In the 1930s the family recapitalized the business and has been running it ever since.
The Campbell Family
Sam Campbell Jr. ’21
Sam Campbell III ’52
Sam Campbell IV ’77
John Campbell ’85
Day students from Lookout Mountain, TN
The Campbell family has been involved with Chattanooga Bakery, which makes the famous MoonPie, since its inception in 1902. In the 1930s the family recapitalized the business and has been running it ever since.
The Campbell Family
Sam Campbell Jr. ’21
Sam Campbell III ’52
Sam Campbell IV ’77
John Campbell ’85
Day students from Lookout Mountain, TN
The Campbell family has been involved with Chattanooga Bakery, which makes the famous MoonPie, since its inception in 1902. In the 1930s the family recapitalized the business and has been running it ever since.
The Campbell Family
Sam Campbell Jr. ’21
Sam Campbell III ’52
Sam Campbell IV ’77
John Campbell ’85
Day students from Lookout Mountain, TN
The Campbell family has been involved with Chattanooga Bakery, which makes the famous MoonPie, since its inception in 1902. In the 1930s the family recapitalized the business and has been running it ever since.
Fielder Cook ’42
Boarding student from Tampa, FL
Three-time Emmy Award-winning (and eight-time nominee) TV and film producer, director, and writer. Credits include The Homecoming: A Christmas Story which inspired The Waltons.
Rodolph ‘Rody’ Blevins Davenport Jr. ’22
Day student from Chattanooga, TN
Co-Founder of Krystal Restaurants, a fast-food burger company.
Billy Dunavant Jr. ’50
Boarding student from Memphis, TN
Chairman of the Board of Dunavant Enterprises, Inc.
Sandy Huffaker ’62
Day student from Chattanooga, TN
Two-time Pulitzer Prize-nominated political cartoonist that covered the 1960s through 2010s. His cartoons were featured in Time Magazine, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Businessweek, People, and Fortune Magazine.
The Hutcheson Family
John Hutcheson Jr. ’20
John Hutcheson III ’47
Frank Hutcheson ’51
Day students from Rossville, GA
In 1905, John L. Hutcheson Sr. established Peerless Woolen Mills. Peerless Woolen Mills was the primary manufacturer for blankets for the armed forces during World War II. Peerless claimed to be the largest single-unit mill in the world by the 1950s, leading the textile industry in woolen products.
The Hutcheson Family
John Hutcheson Jr. ’20
John Hutcheson III ’47
Frank Hutcheson ’51
Day students from Rossville, GA
In 1905, John L. Hutcheson Sr. established Peerless Woolen Mills. Peerless Woolen Mills was the primary manufacturer for blankets for the armed forces during World War II. Peerless claimed to be the largest single-unit mill in the world by the 1950s, leading the textile industry in woolen products.
The Hutcheson Family
John Hutcheson Jr. ’20
John Hutcheson III ’47
Frank Hutcheson ’51
Day students from Rossville, GA
In 1905, John L. Hutcheson Sr. established Peerless Woolen Mills. Peerless Woolen Mills was the primary manufacturer for blankets for the armed forces during World War II. Peerless claimed to be the largest single-unit mill in the world by the 1950s, leading the textile industry in woolen products.
Dr. James ‘Jim’ Killian Jr. ’21
Boarding student from LaFayette, GA
Tenth President of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1949-1959). During leave from MIT, he served as the first presidential science advisor during the Space Race to President Eisenhower. He chaired the President’s Science Advisory Committee, which created NASA.
Ralph McGill ’17
Day student from Chattanooga, TN
Civil Right activist and former editor of the Atlanta Constitution, where he won the 1959 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing.
Jon Meacham ’87
Day student from Chattanooga, TN
Pulitzer Prize-winning author, presidential historian, former Editor-in-Chief of Newsweek. He delivered the eulogy at the funeral of President George H.W. Bush and spoke at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Olan Mills II ’48
Day student from Chattanooga, TN
Businessman and portrait photographer whose family company, known for children’s photography and church directories, had studios across the U.S., Canada, and UK until it was purchased by Lifetouch in 2011.
Representative Sonny Montgomery ’39
Boarding student from Meridian, MS
U.S. Representative from Mississippi (1967-1997). Representative Montgomery authored the GI Bill of Rights and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.
The Reynolds Family
Richard Reynolds Jr. ’26
Louis Reynolds ’28
Boarding students from Louisville, KY
The Reynolds family launched the United States Tin Foil Company, originally as a supplier of foil wraps for cigarette packaging. U.S. Tin Foil Co was reorganized as Reynolds Metals in 1928, pioneered the development of aluminum siding in the 1940s, and introduced its best-known product, Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil, in 1947. Richard Jr. served as President of Reynolds Metals and Louis as Vice President of Reynolds Metals.
The Reynolds Family
Richard Reynolds Jr. ’26
Louis Reynolds ’28
Boarding students from Louisville, KY
The Reynolds family launched the United States Tin Foil Company, originally as a supplier of foil wraps for cigarette packaging. U.S. Tin Foil Co was reorganized as Reynolds Metals in 1928, pioneered the development of aluminum siding in the 1940s, and introduced its best-known product, Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil, in 1947. Richard Jr. served as President of Reynolds Metals and Louis as Vice President of Reynolds Metals.
Marion Gordon ‘Pat’ Robertson ’46
Boarding student from Lexington, VA
Founder and Chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) and host of The 700 Club.
Sean Ryan ’10
Day student from Hixson, TN
Olympic swimmer who competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in the 10K Open Water swim.
Jeff Simmons ’96
Day student from Signal Mountain, TN
Aquatic biologist with the Tennessee Valley Authority who is credited with the discovery of a new species of crayfish and the description of a new fish species, both native to Tennessee (the Tennessee Bottlebrush Crayfish and the Tennessee Logperch).
Sam Sims ’80
Day student from Chattanooga, TN
Talented musician who has performed for over 20 years with major artists such as Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, the Backstreet Boys, Janet Jackson, Boney James, George Duke and many more.
David Stonecipher ’59
Boarding student from Cleveland, TN
Former Chairman of Jefferson Pilot Corporation, which was a Fortune 500 insurance brokerage corporation.
Ted Turner ’56
Boarding student from Savannah, GA
Media mogul and philanthropist who is the founder of CNN, the first 24-hour cable news network. Ted Turner is the 2nd largest private landowner in the U.S. and owns the largest private herd of bison in the world. He was honored as Time Magazine’s 1995 Man of the Year, has 2 Emmy awards for Lifetime Achievement, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was part of the 1977 America’s Cup championship sailing team, and won a World Series as owner of the Atlanta Braves.
Congressman Zach Wamp ’76
Day student from Chattanooga, TN
U.S. Representative from Tennessee (1995-2011).
Jimmy Williams ’51
Day student from Rossville, GA
Retired Chairman/CEO of SunTrust Banks.