Volume 4 | Issue 2
Summer
2012
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Sallie Phillips: A daughter's tribute to further her father's vision
By Claire Cusick
Sallie Boyle Phillips ’70
Contributed“He just loved Carolina and helping young people achieve their educational dreams,” Sallie said. “I hope this scholarship will bring the best and brightest students to study at Carolina.”
Irvin Boyle attended Carolina during the Great Depression, and earned both his undergraduate and law degrees in less than five-and-a-half years. “Back then, everybody needed to get through school and get to work as soon as possible,” Sallie said.
Boyle completed his undergraduate degree in 1934, and earned his law degree in 1936. While in law school, he served as an editor of the “North Carolina Law Review.” After graduation, he joined Tillet, Tillet & Kennedy, then the largest law firm in Charlotte. He later opened his own practice, which included real estate transactions, liability defense, business transactions and workers’ compensation. His firm, Boyle, Alexander, Hord & Smith was one of the first in Charlotte to hire a female partner. He also served as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Boyle stopped practicing law in his 80s, but remained involved in legal matters well into his 90s, according to friends. He died in 2008 at the age of 96.
“My father just didn’t think there was any school but Carolina.”
» Sallie Boyle Phillips
Growing up in Charlotte, Sallie always knew there was one choice for higher education: Carolina. “Carolina was always special to my family,” she said. “My father just didn’t think there was any school but Carolina.”
Sallie graduated in 1970, and is also the mother of two Carolina graduates: Courtney Phillips Hyder ’96 and Jordan Norfleet Phillips ’04. “I hope there will be a fourth generation to continue this family tradition,” Sallie said.
In the meantime, Sallie remains close to her Carolina friends through her involvement with the Carolina Women’s Leadership Council. “I have really enjoyed meeting and serving with so many outstanding women,” she said. “I have reconnected with several of my Pi Beta Phi sorority sisters, and have also met many younger UNC women leaders.”
The B. Irvin Boyle Scholarship has already been awarded twice to two deserving students, first to Lauren Cranford, and then to Andrew Kasper, who was editor-in-chief of the “North Carolina Law Review.”
Irvin would be honored that his daughter Sallie has done something to bring the best and brightest students to Carolina. Throughout his life, Irvin helped promising young people attend college, often through anonymous gifts. “He was dedicated to helping young people achieve their educational dreams,” she said.