Editor's note: This was on a poster at

Katherine Dunlap poses for a picture five days before her 100th birthday, February 24, 2008.

Converse College Alumnae Reunion Weekend, April

23- 25, 2004.

Katherine Stallings Dunlap, Converse College Class of '29, is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Award. She was an education and psychology major at Converse and has devoted much of her life to public service.

In 1951, Katherine Joined S.C. Governor James F. Byrnes' staff as an assistant. As each new adminstration came into office, Katherine was asked to remain. By the time she retired in 1980, she had served eight S.C. governors. Her responsibilities throughout this time greatly varied. She was administrative assistant and fiscal officer under Governors Byrnes and Timmerman, fiscal officer for Governors Russell and McNair, extradition and fiscal affairs assistant for Governors West and Edwards, and fiscal affairs officer for Governor Riley.

On three separate occasions, Katherine was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the highest honor on a civilian in S.C. In 1980, she was invited to address the state Senate and received a standing ovation. She was also presented with an Award for Excellence in Community Service in 1995 by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Her civic activities include service with the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Pilot Club of Spartanburg, the American Legion Auxiliary, Military Officers' Association of America, Fort Jackson Officers' Club Auxiliary, and the Fort Jackson Retired Officers' Wives Club.