2017 Zenith Medal for Service: Leigh Wilkinson

Leigh Wilkinson is the winner of the college’s 2017 Zenith Medal for Service. She has enriched the college with her significant contributions of time, leadership skills, energy and financial support.

Wilkinson received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from NC State and later received a law degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. She leads the Health Care Practice Group at the Ward & Smith law firm in New Bern and is a past recipient of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Citizen Lawyer Award. Her accomplishments earned her the Medal of Achievement from the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

Wilkinson spent 12 years on the College of Sciences Foundation Board of Directors and was named board chair right around the time of the college’s launch in 2013. Her steady, even-handed leadership during that time was invaluable. Her financial contributions have been significant. She has made a planned gift to the college, been a consistent member of the college’s Dean’s Circle leadership giving society, and co-created, with fellow Foundation board member Cathy Sigal, the very successful Dean’s Circle Challenge Fund.