Donald Fader Honored with Tillman School of Business Award at UMO Homecoming

Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations

The University of Mount Olive (UMO) honored alumnus Donald “Don” Fader with the Tillman School of Business Alumni Award during the University’s Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony, a highlight of Homecoming Weekend. The event celebrated distinguished alumni who have made lasting contributions to their professions, communities, and alma mater.

The son of Free Will Baptist minister Robert M. Fader, Don Fader answered his own call to ministry at just 16 years old and was ordained at age 23. He graduated from Mount Olive College in 1976. A lifelong member of the Eastern Conference, he has served several small churches throughout his career while balancing his ministerial duties with a thriving professional life. Today, he continues to serve as Director of the Free Will Baptist Minister’s Program and Director of the Church Finance Association, positions he has held with distinction for many years.

In addition to his ministerial service, Fader currently serves as Chairman of the Revision Committee for the Convention’s Articles of Faith and Principles of Church Government and as Moderator of the Eastern Conference.

Beyond his faith leadership, Fader has built an impressive career in the financial sector. He is the President and Founder of Sterling Financial Services Group, bringing more than 40 years of experience in mortgage and construction lending. His expertise and leadership have earned him numerous accolades, including being named National Mortgage Professional of the Year. He has served as Vice President of the National Association of Mortgage Professionals (NAMB), President of the North Carolina Association of Mortgage Professionals, and a member of the Industry Advisory Council of the National State Regulatory Registry. His professional excellence also led to his appointment by the Governor of North Carolina to the North Carolina Banking Commission.

A man of many talents, Fader is also a licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain and an avid boater, spending much of his free time exploring the coastlines of North Carolina.

Fader and his wife, Angela Barwick Fader, a 1974 Mount Olive College alumna from Seven Springs, reside in Kinston, North Carolina. They are the proud parents of two sons, Corey and Gregory, and grandparents to four grandchildren.

Fader’s life and career embody servant leadership, integrity, and lifelong learning. His contributions to both ministry and business exemplify the values instilled through his Mount Olive education, making him a fitting recipient of the 2025 Tillman School of Business Alumni Award.