Author, builder Cheryl McKissack Daniel ’79 named 2026 Distinguished Alumna
University School of Nashville will recognize Distinguished Alumna Cheryl McKissack Daniel ’79 her pioneering work as a builder during the Class of 2026’s Convocation on Tuesday, May 12.
By Juanita I.C. Traughber, Director of Marketing & Communications
The Peabody Demonstration School and University School of Nashville Alumni Association is pleased to present the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award to Cheryl McKissack Daniel ’79, is the award-winning Board Chair of McKissack & McKissack. She will be the keynote speaker during Convocation at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 12 in Durnan Auditorium.
The Distinguished Alumni Award was established in 1978 to honor a graduate of PDS/USN who has made outstanding professional or civic achievements on a local, national, or international level. Recipients have included authors, educators, researchers, musicians, and volunteer leaders. In addition to honoring these individuals, the award brings them to the attention of the PDS/USN community and the city at large. Their accomplishments serve as an inspiration to students and graduates and as a reminder to Nashvillians of the high-quality education that has long been a tradition at our school.
Daniel serves as principal-in-charge and project executive on numerous high-profile projects, including major work in the commercial, health care, education, and transportation sectors. She serves on numerous, corporate, charitable, and community boards, and has been honored as a “Hero of Liberty” for her support of humanitarian initiatives and for promoting the responsibilities of a free and diverse America. Born in Nashville to architect William DeBerry and teacher, Leatrice Buchanan McKissack, Cheryl represents the fifth generation of the McKissack family’s century-old business, the oldest minority and woman-owned professional design and construction firm in the nation. Last fall, she published her memoir “The Black Family Who Built America,” celebrating her family’s legacy. As head of McKissack & McKissack, she continues to inspire through her trailblazing work in design and construction and was featured in The Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Convocation marks the beginning of Senior Week and officially welcomes the 98 soon-to-be graduates of the Class of 2026 into the PDS/USN Alumni Association.
Nominations for future recognition are encouraged and should be emailed to PDS/USN Alumni Director Christina Evans.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
-
Grab Music Night tickets February 27
Rodney Crowell, legendary artist and grandfather to USN student Iris ‘26, will perform on Saturday, April 11, for Music Night, our annual adult-only concert in Durnan Auditorium. Tickets will be available soon for this fundraiser, which supports the arts and athletics at USN.Read More -
USN captures Ethics Bowl Championship
For the third year in a row, USN has won the Tennessee Regional Ethics Bowl Championship. Congratulations to Coco Shepard ’27, Alice Littlehale ’26, Alice Cramer ’28, Caroline Stinner ’27, Z Aulino ’26, and Kostas Rokas ’29 for this accomplishment.Read More -
Rev. Todd galvanizes students during MLK Day lecture
During the annual MLK Day lecture, the Rev. Royal Todd spoke with students about using their faith, community building, and how to challenge ideas in the modern age.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.