Alumni Awards

Dr. Ari D. Abel '89 
The Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. Ari "Tim" Abel is one of only 500 Oculofacial Plastic Surgeons in the U.S. and is highly regarded as "the go-to for facial plastic and reconstructive surgery." His skill, professionalism, and bedside manner have earned him repeated "Top Doc" honors among his peers and patients. 

A 1989 graduate, "Tim" was a lifer, joining Tatnall in Pre-K. He was class president, a member of the cum laude society, and a three-season athlete, captaining both the wrestling and cross-country teams. He credits his Tatnall education as a critical contributor to his academic and professional success.

After graduating from Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Neuroscience, Dr. Abel received his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He completed his residency at Johns Hopkins University, followed by a two-year fellowship in Ophthalmic and Facial Plastic Surgery.  

Dr. Abel founded The Abel Center for Oculofacial Plastic Surgery and Abel Aesthetics in Wilmington, DE. He serves on the clinical faculty of Christiana Hospital and has mentored numerous students pursuing degrees in medicine. 

Perhaps more meaningful to him than his professional success, Dr. Abel has been one of Tatnall's most ardent supporters. He is an active alumnus and parent, serving on numerous committees, assisting with fundraising efforts, and generously donating to Tatnall's Annual Fund. 

He and his wife Valerie are regulars at Tatnall events, supporting their two daughters, Chloe '25 and Scarlett '26, and every other student, artist, and athlete that calls Tatnall home. 

James A. Magee '89 
The Lucille Sala Meharg '50 Alumni Service Award

James "Jamie" Magee joined the Alumni Council in 2010, his first foray into the Tatnall volunteer life. After that, he must have been quite smitten with the school, for he enrolled his daughter Lauren, who graduated in 2020. Jamie served as President of the Alumni Council from 2018 until 2023 and as a member of the Board of Trustees from 2019 to 2021. He was a staunch advocate for an alumni directory, helped recruit alumni for our Ask Me Anything series during COVID-19, and started the initial meetings of faculty, facilities, and students to increase sustainability efforts around campus. Though he is no longer our fearless leader of the Alumni Council, he remains a loyal association member. He can be found at nearly every alumni-related event we can ever imagine hosting. In fact, he has never WON this award to date because he recused himself from candidacy while he held the position of President. As you can see, we jumped at the first chance to honor him as soon as he stepped down.

As a student at Tatnall, Jamie was involved all over campus. He played lacrosse and wrestled, acted in Showcase, and, according to our extensive research pouring through yearbooks, was a member of something called "Fire Patrol" with Dr. Peter Bookman, which had an inordinately large membership looking quite pleased with themselves in the 1989 Yearbook. 

Jamie is often among the first people to extend a warm welcome at a Tatnall event and fill in new members on the inner workings of the Alumni Council. He has been one of Tatnall's most trusted and valuable volunteers for over a decade and is always willing to go wherever he is most needed. Tatnall is stronger because of Jamie's loyalty and service. 

Lauren A. Carney, 1997
The Distinguished Alumni Award

Special Agent, Drug Enforcement Administration 
Lauren Carney has been a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) since 2005. After serving as a Special Agent in San Diego, Honolulu, and Mexico City, Lauren became the first female Resident Agent in Charge for Memphis and Jackson, TN, where she supervised four DEA enforcement groups, including two Federal Drug Task Forces covering 17 counties. After her work in Tennessee, she became the first female Country Attaché for the DEA in the Caribbean. As the Country Attaché of the Curacao Country Office, Lauren supervises all DEA operations in the Dutch Caribbean, including Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, and St. Martin.

Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University in International Relations with a minor in Spanish and a concentration in Latin American studies. During her time at Hopkins, Lauren was a two-sport varsity athlete for the University, playing both field hockey and lacrosse. She was a two-time All-American field hockey player and a key member of the Blue Jay women's lacrosse team as they transitioned to a Division I program. Lauren has served on the Hopkins Lacrosse Advisory Board and as a
designated mentor for players from both programs. She was inducted into the Johns Hopkins Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.

While at Tatnall, Lauren was an outstanding athlete and student who loved the Tatnall experience. Lauren and her brothers, Shannon (’89) and Tyler (’94), are all proud Tatnall Alumni and swords!