Harold and Elizabeth Ziegler Service Award

The Harold and Elizabeth Ziegler Service Award is given to an individual who has rendered loyal volunteer service to Blackburn College during the past year.

2026 Harold and Elizabeth Ziegler Service Award Recipient

Laurie Larsen: A Legacy of Creativity, Faith, and Service

Laurie Larsen’s extraordinary journey reflects a life driven by creativity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to serving others. From her beginnings as a skilled Information Technology Management professional to her emergence as a multi-award-winning author, Laurie has demonstrated that excellence comes not only from achievement, but from the ability to inspire, connect, and uplift those around her.

An English major with a lifelong passion for reading, Laurie’s career unexpectedly led her into the technical world of Information Technology Management. While she excelled professionally in a demanding field, writing became her creative outlet; a place where her imagination and faith could flourish. After years of balancing a challenging career with her love of storytelling, Laurie embraced a new chapter in life, retiring from the corporate world, moving to the beautiful South Carolina Lowcountry, and dedicating herself fully to writing.

Today, Laurie is recognized as a celebrated author of contemporary and Christian romance. Her work has earned prestigious honors, including the EPIC Award for Best Spiritual Romance, the Illumination Book Award for Inspirational Romance Fiction, and the eLit Award for Religious Fiction. Through her novels and inspirational works, including The Year I Read the Bible, Laurie has encouraged readers to explore faith, reflection, and personal growth. Her writing has become a source of hope and connection for countless readers.

Laurie’s dedication to Blackburn College is equally remarkable. As the sole volunteer online editor and manager of the BU Beaver Nation Facebook page, she has devoted herself to strengthening the Blackburn community every day of the year. What began as an alumni-created platform has become a vibrant gathering place where graduates, students, faculty, staff, and friends remain connected through shared memories, college news, and meaningful conversations.

With extraordinary commitment, Laurie provides daily content, celebrates alumni birthdays, collaborates with Blackburn’s Office of Institutional Advancement, promotes alumni initiatives, and creates opportunities for engagement. She has cultivated a welcoming and respectful environment by thoughtfully monitoring discussions, reviewing new members, and ensuring the page remains a safe and positive space for connection.

Perhaps most importantly, Laurie understands that community is built through conversation. Her creative discussion prompts, including the popular “Tuesday Topic” posts, invite alumni to reflect, share stories, and reconnect with the experiences that shaped them as Blackburn Beavers.

Laurie Larsen embodies the spirit of the Ziegler Service Award through her generosity, leadership, and dedication. Whether through the stories she writes or the community she nurtures, she continues to make an extraordinary impact. Her legacy is one of creativity, faith, and service—a reminder that the greatest influence often comes from the connections we create and the lives we touch.

Nominate an Alum

Nominate an alum for an Alumni Association Award by completing the form and sharing why they deserve recognition. 

No recipient can receive the same award twice.

Past Harold and Elizabeth Ziegler Service Award Recipients

Salina Brown ‘03
Timothy Dickison ‘03
Laurie (Parlette) Larsen ’84