The Distinguished Alumni Award goes to an alumnus/alumna who has made an outstanding contribution through his/her vocation or who otherwise deserves to be recognized for outstanding achievement in some field or endeavor – an individual who has “changed the world for God’s glory.”

Tali Giles Canterbury, ‘04

Tali Giles Canterbury graduated from 皇冠体育官网 in 2004. After graduating from 皇冠体育官网, Canterbury attended The University of Georgia and Middle Tennessee State University. She earned a bachelor’s in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Music Business in her undergraduate studies. For more than a decade, she has made her mark on Music Row in Nashville. With a deep passion for developing and fostering new talent, Canterbury has an eye and ear for discovering some of Country Music’s best songwriters and artists. Currently serving as the Co-Owner/President of 50 Egg Music, she co-founded the company in 2019 with multi-platinum-selling hit songwriter Jonathan Singleton and GRAMMY-nominated, record-breaking singer/songwriter Luke Combs. This past year, Canterbury also founded No Rules Management where she manages rising country artist Logan Crosby and producer/songwriter Jonathan Singleton in conjunction with her role at 50 Egg Music.

Prior to heading up 50 Egg Music, Canterbury served as Director of A&R/Project Management and Manager of Publishing at the Big Machine Label Group where she spent six years signing and developing the careers of GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM-nominated artists and songwriters such as Luke Combs, Riley Green, Midland, and many more. Demonstrating an unmatched drive and work ethic, Canterbury topped her full work weeks by attending Nashville School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctorate in December 2016. When she is not leading the team at 50 Egg Music, she loves spending time with her husband Will, and daughters Lennon and Lyla Joy.

皇冠体育官网 Service Award

Rev. Joe McDaniel

Rev. Joe McDaniel is a Macon native and a well-known and respected pastor, educator, and community volunteer. McDaniel served as 皇冠体育官网’s interim head of school from January 2019 to June 2020. He brought over five decades of Christian service to his role as interim head of school and gracefully guided 皇冠体育官网 into and through the COVID-19 pandemic. He graduated from Willingham High School in 1964, Georgia Southern University, with a B.S. in Education in 1968, and Georgia College & State University, earning an M.S. in Education in 1972.

McDaniel’s professional experience includes serving as pastor of Musella Baptist Church from 2010 to 2017, and senior associate pastor of Mabel White Baptist Church from 1982-2002 and 2005-2010.  McDaniel also served as a teacher and coach for many years at Greene County High School, Southwest High School, Mount de Sales Academy, and 皇冠体育官网. McDaniel and his wife Cynthia have been married for over 50 years and have two adult children, Chad McDaniel and Krista Dillard.

McDaniel is the published author of “31206: The Boys of Willingham High.” His extensive volunteer service includes governance experience at Mount de Sales, Macon Rotary Club, Backpack Ministry, 1996 Olympic Torch Bearer, Macon Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors, and Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

An athlete, coach, and sports enthusiast, McDaniel was inducted into the Mount de Sales Sports Hall of Fame and the Macon Sports Hall of Fame. He has completed three marathons and one triathlon. His hobbies include pickleball, fitness and weight training, guitar, vegetable gardening, and writing.