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.
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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.