Ward earns Wake Forest Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. D.E. Ward Jr.

Wake Forest University presented its annual Distinguished Alumni Award to Dr. D.E. Ward Jr. of Lumberton at a reception Sept. 23 during the university’s Homecoming Weekend.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is awarded to Wake Forest alumni whose civic achievements and exemplary service reflect the university motto, “Pro Humanitate” (For Humanity).

Ward was recognized for his life-long service contributions, which include his achievements while attending Wake Forest University and the Wake Forest School of Medicine, his service in the U.S. Navy, his career as a surgeon and his devotion to public service and cancer treatment.

A highly regarded surgeon, Ward is a past chief of staff and chief of surgeons at Southeastern General Hospital in Lumberton. He is a surgical consultant to the North Carolina Cancer Institute and held a long tenure as a clinical professor of family and community medicine at the Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Ward has devoted more than a half-century to the American Cancer Society (ACS). His devotion to cancer treatment began in 1952 as the recipient of a National Cancer Research Grant at the Wake Forest School of Medicine. Since then, he has served with the ACS as president of the Roberson County Unit, president of the North Carolina Division and as the North Carolina delegate to the national ACS.

He has served on the board of trustees of the North Carolina Cancer Institute, where he was president for 15 years and currently chairs the executive committee. He was also appointed to the Governor’s Cancer Commission.

In addition, Ward, who is a life trustee for Wake Forest, has served on several professional associations, including the North Carolina Medical Society and the alumni associations of both Wake Forest and the Wake Forest School of Medicine. He is a past trustee of the North Carolina Children’s Homes Inc. and Campbell University.

Ward’s commitment to Wake Forest has extended throughout his family. His sons Demming and David are graduates of Wake Forest and the School of Medicine and the School of Law respectively. Four of his grandchildren have Wake Forest affiliations: Ellen Ward is a 2003 graduate and her sister Annie is a current senior; David Ward is a 2005 graduate and his brother John is a current sophomore.