Donnie Odell Clary was conferred an honorary doctorate of business administration during the spring commencement ceremony at Chowan University to recognize his exemplary service to the institution.

Clary, now Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs, has been with the university since 2005. Under his leadership as Vice President for Business and Finance, Chowan University garnered a reputation for operating “in the black” every fiscal year. He has given over forty years of service to private higher education in North and South Carolina in the areas of business and finance. In recent years, he has even served as a consultant and mentor for university CFOs.

He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina and the master of Business Administration degree from Gardner-Webb University. Clary is a native of Gaffney, SC and is an avid salt-water fisherman and NASCAR fan.

Photo Caption: (from left) Chair of the Board of Trustees W. Frank Rose, Jr.; Donnie O. Clary with honorary doctorate of business administration; Chancellor of the University Dr. Chris White; and President of the University Dr. Kirk Peterson at the commencement ceremony in May.