On Thursday, February 19, 2026, members of the Charlotte Country Day School community gathered for the 44th Annual Honorary Alumni Association Dinner. The evening was a heartfelt celebration of leadership, service, generosity, and the lifelong community that defines Country Day.
A Legacy of Service and Community
For 84 years, Charlotte Country Day School has been shaped and strengthened by exceptional leaders. In 1981, Trustee Jim Cannon and Jim Hynes, along with former Head of School Horton Reed, established the Honorary Alumni Association to recognize and celebrate parents, leaders, faculty, staff, and key volunteers whose distinguished service and generous support have created a lasting legacy at Country Day. Lifetime Trustee Smoky Bissell was named the School’s Honorary Alumnus Charter Member.
The program began with a warm welcome from Stanton McCullough, Chair of the Board of Trustees, followed by an invocation offered by Nancy Ehringhaus, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. After dinner, Head of School Dr. Tara Christie Kinsey presented the evening’s awards, recognizing individuals whose commitment and contributions have left a lasting mark on the School.
- Dr. Lisa Toppin – David L. Hood Jr. for Volunteer Service Award
- Lt. Col. Steven Cole ’91 – Alumnus of the Year
- Andrew Tate – Honorary Alumnus for Philanthropy
- Beth Brady – Honorary Alumna for Faculty and Staff
Click to watch full program video.
Click for full photo gallery from the special evening
David L. Hood Jr. Award for Volunteer Service: Dr. Lisa Toppin
Established in 2000 to honor David “Chuck” Hood Jr. upon his retirement from the Board of Trustees, this award recognizes a volunteer who has given exemplary service to Country Day through tireless energy, steadfast belief in the School’s mission, and heartfelt commitment to students’ experiences and opportunities.
Dr. Lisa Toppin exemplifies these qualities. Serving on the Board of Trustees from 2018 to 2025, Lisa was a trusted and impactful leader. She chaired the Head’s Advisory and Compensation Committee and co-chaired the Strategic Planning Committee, while also contributing her thoughtful leadership to the Advancement, Community & Culture, DEI, and Property & Grounds committees.
Deeply engaged in the community, Lisa served in numerous parent leadership roles, including POCIS chair, Parents’ Association POCIS representative, Middle School Board parent awareness representative, PA Allocations member, and PA Middle School Board chair. She also supported the School’s theatre program behind the scenes.
“When Lisa walks into the room, she has an aura, a spirit, and it just brings out the best in people,” shared Shannon Drosky, Director of Marketing and Communications. “She doesn’t want the spotlight, but she has a really amazing way to create the spotlight for others.”
Lisa and her husband, Lin, are proud parents of two Country Day graduates, Lance ’23 and Lindsay ’25.
Alumnus of the Year: Lt. Col. Steven Cole ’91
The Alumni of the Year Award honors graduates who have distinguished themselves professionally, in their communities, at Country Day—or in all three—exemplifying what it means to be Country Day Ready.
Lt. Col. Steven Cole ’91 serves as Metrolina Market President at Veterans Bridge Home, where he leads a team dedicated to connecting service members, veterans, and their families with meaningful resources and opportunities across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region. Previously, he served as vice president of Advancement and director of communications at Charlotte Center City Partners. In 2025, he was named to the Charlotte Ledger’s Charlotte’s Forty Over 40 list.
A retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel with more than 20 years of distinguished service, Steven’s military career included assignments in Washington, DC; Kabul, Afghanistan; and Los Angeles, where he served as the Army’s liaison to the film and television industry. He also taught history at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
At Country Day, Steven served as class president during his freshman and sophomore years, student body vice president as a junior, and student body president as a senior. In recognition of his leadership and character, he was named Senior of the Year in 1991. Steven was also a dedicated four-year member of the track and cross-country teams.
Post-graduation, Steven has remained deeply connected to Country Day, serving as a Cum Laude Society induction speaker, Veterans Day Assembly speaker, Alumni Career Connections participant, longtime class agent, Alumni Council member, and chair of its inaugural Service Committee.
Upper School Teacher and fellow classmate Stephanie Neill Harner ’91 shared, “Steven Cole is the epitome of what we're looking for as we nurture people at Charlotte Country Day. We can talk about his service to his country, his service to veterans, but the way he serves his friends also I think is what his 1991 classmates and I can all testify to.”
He and his wife, Shelly, have two children, Jack and Claire.
Honorary Alumni Association
Each year, new members are inducted into the Honorary Alumni Association. This prestigious designation recognizes individuals who, although not graduates of Country Day, have demonstrated exceptional loyalty, distinguished service, or generous support to the School. Their profound connection and impact underscore the strength of our community.
Honorary Alumnus for Philanthropy: Andrew Tate
Andrew Tate served on the Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2025, offering steady and strategic leadership in numerous roles, including secretary, treasurer, Audit Committee chair, Finance Committee chair, Finance & Audit Committee chair, and Governance Committee co-chair. As a member of the Executive Committee, his discernment consistently strengthened Board decision-making and efficiency.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrew played a critical role in navigating the complexities of the Employee Retention Credit application process, helping secure a significant government award that supported employee retention during an unprecedented time.
In addition to his Board service, Andrew contributed to the Forefront Campaign Cabinet during both the Major Gift and Community phases and served on the Country Day Fund Leadership Committee. He is known for his unwavering presence—consistently stepping forward in moments of challenge and celebration alike.
Verl Purdy, Former Board of Visitors Chair and parent and grandparent of alumni shared, “Andrew Tate is someone who willingly helps others and he does it because that's who he is. He doesn't do it because he wants the attention, he served at Country Day because he wanted to help.”
His daughter, EC, began her education at Country Day before continuing to Deerfield Academy.
Honorary Alumna for Faculty and Staff: Beth Brady
For more than two decades, Beth Brady has been a cherished member of the Country Day community, bringing warmth, joy, and excellence to generations of students. Since joining the faculty in 2000—after first becoming a Country Day parent in 1999—Beth has devoted 25 years to shaping second-grade experiences filled with laughter, curiosity, and belonging.
A recipient of multiple Faculty/Staff Recognition Awards and the 2015–16 J.R. Williams Fellowship Travel Grant, Beth is known for her creativity and dedication to lifelong learning. Whether teaching “Big Daddy Numbers,” guiding students with steady patience, or delighting children as the beloved—and only—Polar Express conductor, she has left a lasting impression on more than 600 students and alumni.
Her influence extends beyond the classroom. A generous mentor and trusted colleague, Beth has served as a faculty speaker, member of the Collaborative Fundraising Task Force, Boosters Club volunteer, and contributor to the Country Day Fund Employee Division.
“Beth always makes sure that no student is left behind,” shared Megan Schlernitzauer ’14, Alumni Council member. “No matter what struggles or adversities any student has, she always makes sure to help them rise to the occasion.”
Beth and her husband, Dennis, are proud parents of three Country Day graduates—Ashley ’10, Patrick ’13, and Lindsey ’14—and grandparents to Buc granddaughter Emmie ’38.
The 44th Annual Honorary Alumni Association Dinner served as a powerful reminder that Country Day’s strength and excellence lies in its people—faculty, leaders, volunteers, alumni, and families—whose service and commitment continue to shape the School’s future while honoring its enduring legacy.