2015 Zenith Medal for Service: Linda Balfour and Robert Hill

The winners of the 2015 Zenith Medal for Service are wife and husband Linda Balfour and Robert Hill.

Hill received his bachelor’s degree in computer science from NC State in 1971. He began his career at UNC-Wilmington, where he devised a software program for records of university employees. After a few years he was recruited to be the director of information systems for the UNC General Administration, where he served until his retirement in 2003.

Balfour graduated from Southwestern University in Texas with a degree in business administration. For many years she was the editor of the Statistical Abstract of Higher Education in North Carolina, which was published by the UNC General Administration. Following her retirement, she kept believing in the importance of supporting students.

In 2005, Balfour and Hill created an endowment that awards merit-based scholarships to College of Sciences students. Hill served on the College’s Alumni Advisory Board from 2008 to 2014, including four years as secretary. In 2012, they increased their scholarship to the Solomon Scholars level. Every year, they attend the College’s student recruitment events, State of the Sciences and the Donor Recognition Dinner. They support the College in every way that they can — with gifts of time and resources.