The purpose of the Distinguished Alumni Award is “to bestow recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement. The award is a meritorious reflection on the school and provides inspiration and encouragement for our young people.
2024 Distinguished Alumni of the Year
Daniel Wingate
Class of 1988
The portrait of a Maclay Graduate is described as an independent thinker, confident communicator, creative problem solver, and an honorable, respectful, and accountable individual who is engaged and connected in the greater community. Daniel Wingate, Danny as he is known to his classmates, exemplifies just that. He attended Maclay from 9th- 12th grades, graduating in 1988. He was a member of Key Club, Company, Publications, played tennis one season and soccer both his 10th and 12th grade years. In his senior yearbook he was described as quiet and shy for teachers and parental units, but if you really knew “Dan the Man” you knew he was a rebel in disguise. Even in 1988 his classmates could see that he had a “sharp eye for art and style.” Danny set big goals for himself as a young Maclay graduate and set out to achieve them.
After high school, Danny went to the University of Georgia for his freshman year then transferred to Parson School of Design in New York. He graduated from Parsons in 1992 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design. While attending Parsons Danny was Design Assistant at GEOFFREY BEENE in New York. After graduation he became the Head Designer at JCREW in New York.
In 1998 Danny took a job as Head Designer for STRENESSE in Nördligen, Germany. There he worked directly with Gabriele Strehle on a signature collection in all product categories from day to evening. In 2000, he became Head Designer of the women’s line for MARC O‘ POLO in Rosenheim, Germany. After two years he transitioned to be the Designer for HUGO BOSS woman in Stuttgart, Germany. Danny was the designer for all leather, denim, and (FOB) out- sourced categories for the Boss woman collections. In 2003, he became the Senior Designer for ESCADA, then he moved to a position as Design Director with ESCADA. In this position Danny was responsible for the Escada Collections stylistic direction, colors, silhouette and all developmental duties of creating a four season concept for all. He was responsible for working with all VIP clients, events, MET gala, and red carpet / celebrity dressing. In 2012 Danny became the Creative Director for Escada taking on more creative responsibilities an overseeing a team of 15 designers.
After more than 20 years in the industry, Danny launched his own collection. WINGATE celebrates women with character, those who are dynamic, a delight to the party, and women not afraid of embracing every crease and curve they might have. She stands for comfort not conformity, is bold not boring, a beauty that is characterized by her fearless esprit. Daniel Wingate believes that clothes should be timeless and as season-less as possible. Inspired by his niece in her twenties, a sister in her fifties, and a mother over seventy, he aims to create designs that are desired by all generations. Every garment is tested with the question: 'Will it make one feel and look Ageless?'
Candidates will have distinguished themselves through personal or professional achievement, must have attended or graduated from Maclay, and may not be a current member of the Alumni Board.
This award will be given to recognize Maclay alumni for any or all of the following areas:
- Notable achievement in a professional field
- Service to his or her community, state or nation
- Service to the arts, sciences, or humanitarian causes
- Loyal member of the Maclay Community
The Alumni Board, in conjunction with the Alumni Office, will solicit nominations each year from alumni, parents, trustees, faculty, staff, and friends of Maclay School. From those alumni nominations, a Selection Committee reviews the names and determines the most appropriate person for that year. The Selection Committee submits a slate to the Alumni Board and the Board votes on the slate. The approved slated is submitted to the Head of School for final approval. There will be one Distinguished Alumni Award recipient each year who will be honored at a ceremony on the Saturday after Homecoming each year.
Established in 2014, the Maclay School Distinguished Alumnus Award is the highest award presented by the Maclay School Alumni Association.
The Selection Process
The Distinguished Alumnus Award winner is determined by a selection committee with a vote of the Alumni Board and final approval by the Head of School. Sitting on that committee are: Alumni Association Executive Board members (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer), an At-Large Alumni Board member, and Administrators/Faculty members, current or retired, and the Alumni Coordinator. The Executive Board members serve a two year term; the At-Large Board member is elected by the Board each year at their February meeting; and the Administrator/Faculty members serve 3 year terms with the option to renew. The Selection Committee submits a slate to the Alumni Board. The Board votes on the slate and the approved slated is submitted to the Head of School for final approval.
