Tarleton gala recognizes 2019 Legacy Award winners

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STEPHENVILLE (February 18, 2019) — Tarleton State University President F. Dominic Dottavio presented 2019 Legacy Awards to three recipients during the school’s annual gala on Feb. 16.

Dr. Dan McCoy, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, received the Civility with Integrity Award; Jerry “Chip” Davis, a Tarleton alumnus and chairman of the board of National Farm Life Insurance Co. in Fort Worth, was honored with the Tradition of Service Award; and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price received the Excellence Through Leadership Award.

The President’s Legacy Awards recognize individuals and supporters who exhibit Tarleton’s core values of tradition, integrity, civility, leadership, excellence and service. Recipients are selected by the university president.

Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price was honored with a Legacy Award at the annual University Gala Saturday, Feb. 16. Tarleton President F. Dominic Dottavio presented the award.

The Civility with Integrity Award recognizes significant contributions to the betterment of society through character, forthrightness, honorable actions and commitment to the well-being of others. Dan McCoy, the 2019 recipient, is a physician, entrepreneur and communicator with a passion for improving the way health care is delivered in Texas.

McCoy came from an established private dermatology practice at Baylor University Medical Center and the Sammons Cancer Center, which is known for treating complex, systemic skin diseases and melanoma. He also served as principal owner of a communications consulting firm, where he developed innovative solutions to the challenges of the changing health care industry.

Leading up to his current role, he served as BCBS divisional senior vice president and chief medical officer, directing market strategy for all of Texas.

A 1989 Tarleton graduate, McCoy earned his pre-med degreeSumma Cum Laude. While at Tarleton he served as the editor of the J-TAC, the student newspaper.

He is a life member of the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. He attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas from 1989-93. He holds certifications as a Qualified Mediator in Civil Litigation.

McCoy has been named by Texas Monthly as a “Super Doctor” as well as a D MagazineTop Doctor.

Jerry “Chip” Davis, recipient of the Tradition of Service Award, has spent the last 35 years with National Farm Life Insurance Co., one of the largest Texas domiciled life insurance companies. The award recognizes the impact across the university an individual or corporation that exemplifies the philanthropic initial giving ideals of the university’s founder, John Tarleton.

Davis graduated from Tarleton in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in business. He earned his master’s in administration a year later from the newly renamed Tarleton State University.

He was recruited out of Duncanville High School by Texans football coach Bobby Fox as a quarterback. A four-year letterman, he played several positions before taking the field as quarterback his senior year. However, a broken leg the first game of the season ended his on-field grid career. He coached the Texans quarterbacks and receivers from 1972-74.

Originally hired to run National Farm Life’s mortgage loan division, Davis advanced to senior vice-president of investments, then president/CEO, then board chairman. He serves on the board of the American Council for Life Insurers and is past chairman of the Texas Association of Life and Health Insurers. He is a 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason.

He was named Tarleton’s Outstanding Young Alumnus in 1986 and Distinguished Alumnus in 1995 and is serving his second term on the Tarleton State University Foundation board.

Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, the Excellence Through Leadership Award winner, was elected in 2011 as the 44th mayor of the city and has been re-elected three times. The award recognizes accomplishment in the recipient’s field and demonstrated achievements that bring credit to Tarleton State University.

A Fort Worth native, Price graduated from Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has been an active leader in the Fort Worth community, serving on numerous boards, commissions and professional associations.

After running her own business for 17 years, Price turned to public service in 2000 and was elected Tarrant County tax assessor. The department became known as one of the most efficient in Texas, saving taxpayers millions of dollars.

Price’s support for the new Tarleton campus in Fort Worth campus has been an integral part of the project’s success.

“Fort Worth’s continued economic development depends on education,” she said at the groundbreaking for the new campus almost a year ago. “When businesses consider a move to North Texas, educational opportunities are a top priority. Tarleton increases the options and promotes Fort Worth’s reputation as a creative, innovative and vibrant community where people of all ages, from all backgrounds can succeed.”

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