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On Saturday, May 9, the General Alumni Association at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill honored Dr. H. Shelton “Shelley” Earp III, director of UNC Cancer Care and former director of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, for his outstanding service to the University and to the association.

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Dr. H. Shelton “Shelley” Earp III

Earp was one of three recipients of the 2015 Distinguished Service Medal. Others included Robyn S. Hadley, former alumni association chair, and Thomas W. Ross Sr., UNC system president.

The medals were presented at the alumni association’s Annual Alumni Luncheon during spring reunion weekend. The association has awarded the medals since 1978 to alumni and others who have provided outstanding service to the association or the University.

Earp is a professor of pharmacology and medicine and a Lineberger Professor of Cancer Research. He received his medical degree in 1970 and his master’s degree in biochemistry in 1971, both from UNC-Chapel Hill, and joined the faculty in 1977.

Earp was director of the cancer center from 1997 to 2013. As director of UNC Cancer Care, he coordinates cancer care and research across UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine, the University and the UNC Health Care System. Earp has also chaired search committees for a provost and medical school dean and has served on the search committee for the chancellor. He has served on the Faculty Council and the steering committee for the self-study of the University’s research mission. He has chaired the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Naming of Facilities.

His teaching awards include the Medical School Basic Science Teaching Award and the Kaiser-Permanente Medical School Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2008, he received the annual Thomas Jefferson Award, recognizing a UNC-Chapel Hill faculty member who, through personal influence and performance of duty in teaching, writing and scholarship, has best exemplified the ideals of Thomas Jefferson. He was the faculty representative to the GAA Board of Directors in 2001-2002 and received the alumni association’s Faculty Service Award in 2010.