Leadership looks different to everyone, but the boys would do well to emulate Trustee Emeritus Craig Wardlaw ’62.
The self-described “Greeniest Greenie You’ve Probably Ever Seen” was on campus Friday for College Guidance’s Lunch and Learn speaker series.
Greenies heard about Craig’s colorful life as a Vietnam War hero, Carolinas banking titan, and philanthropist to causes and places close to the heart of him and his wife, Martha Ann. Christ School is one of those places and we are forever grateful to the Wardlaw family for their support.
Craig’s advice to Greenies with their futures ahead of them?
“They need to concentrate right now and think about what they want to do, and try to develop a passion for what they want to do, and then take off and go do it,” Craig said. “You’ve got to obviously study, but you’ve got to be able to socialize and learn how to lead. That’s the main thing, leadership and having good judgement.”
Mr. Wardlaw was included in the three-part "Greenie Legends" series in The Galax school magazine, and it's easy to see why he fit that description.
After graduation, Craig matriculated to the University of North Carolina, where he graduated in 1966. One year later, he was fighting in Vietnam as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, earning the Purple Heart Award for his combat wounds.
Upon returning to civilian life, Mr. Wardlaw spent more than three decades in the financial industry, most notably as Executive Vice President and Principal Investment Officer at NationsBank, which later became Bank of America. During his career, he worked closely with legendary banking executive Hugh McColl Jr., who helped transform NationsBank into one of the nation's largest financial institutions and established Charlotte as a major American banking center. Craig's expertise in fixed-income markets also earned him national recognition, including service on a U.S. Treasury advisory committee addressing government securities markets.
Craig's commitment to Christ School has been equally significant. He is a Trustee Emeritus and charter member of the Athletic Hall of Fame (basketball, football, and track).
Mr. Wardlaw was appointed to the school Board of Trustees from 1997 to 2013, and then an Honorary Chairman for the "Drawing Strength from Within" capital campaign launched in 2015. Among the capital assets and infrastructure enhancements to come from the campaign were Stolz Dining Hall, the Close-Krieger Athletic Center, the Kennedy-Herterich Art Studio, Gardner House, the Wellness Center, renovated office space for the Advancement and Business teams, Alumni Plaza, and faculty housing.
Craig established Christ School’s largest endowed scholarship, the Helen Craig Wardlaw Scholarship Fund (in honor of his mother), which annually provides scholarships for two deserving boys, with an emphasis on students from single-parent homes. Extending his commitment to Greenie alumni, Craig also started a scholarship at N.C. State University for Greenies in honor of David Page Harris Sr., who served as Head of School from 1927 to 1967.