Tina LeMay
Most recent UCDA Award recipient
Photos by Matt Lester
The UCDA Award was created in 1995. This beautiful award is presented by the UCDA Board of Directors in recognition of those who have donated their valuable time, service, and support to further UCDA’s goals. Individuals receiving this award have significantly contributed to this organization’s success.
Over the last 26 years, the board has presented the award to 20 individuals. This year, UCDA added one more deserving member to this exclusive list: Tina LeMay.
17 years ago, Tina first joined UCDA. Since joining, she has missed only two of the UCDA Design Conferences. After a few years, she joined the Designer magazine advisory board serving several terms.
What followed was years of solid commitment and participation by this individual to UCDA. Tina has left a legacy of volunteerism in her wake.
Tina’s commitments have included:
- UCDA Board member for two consecutive terms, serving from 2013-2020
- Treasurer in 2014 and 2018
- President in 2015 and again in 2019
- Served on countless committees and volunteered at nearly every UCDA event she attended
- A current UCDA Foundation board member, serving since 2017
- Krider Prize for Creativity Committee
- Six years ago, the UCDA board of directors awarded Tina emeritus member status, in recognition of her outstanding service to the organization.
Born in southern Illinois, Tina attended Clemson University for undergraduate school, stayed for graduate school, and accepted a full-time position there. She recalls, “I swore I’d only stay two years. I have now been here nearly 30 years and I really think I may bleed orange. Clemson University has been very good to me and I have had the privilege of working alongside some very talented people.”
“I am committed to excellent design and am energized by learning new techniques, skills and information about how to help solve communication issues. It is important to me to help inspire my staff and strive to constantly improve our work as a team. UCDA plays a big part in these efforts.”
Upon receipt of the award in October, 2021, Tina said, “It has been an honor to give back, if only a little, to an organization that has given me so much. My professional life has been richer because of the relationship made—and the work done for UCDA. I also want to acknowledge Clemson University, which has a long-standing history of providing support for their staff’s professional development within UCDA.”
Left: UCDA executive director Tadson Bussey presents the UCDA Award to Tina LeMay at the UCDA Design Conference.
Right: UCDA member and 2021 president Liz Underwood accepts the award on Tina’s behalf.
Over the last 26 years, the board has presented the UCDA Award to 20 individuals.
This distinguished group of recipients: Tim Barnhart, Sandra Bate, Jean Bevier, John B. Buchanan, Tadson Bussey, Gene Church, Charles Deihl, Dave Dryden, Bobbi Esmark, Julius Friedman, Tracy Fry, Richard Jividen, Judy Kirpich, Lee Kline, Mo Lebowitz, Christine Prado, Larry Pearce, Winston Vanderhoof, j.Charles Walker, and Jody Zamirowski