Converse Celebrates the Life of Julia Jones Daniels ’53
Written by Chris Worthy
Converse University mourns the loss of Julia Jones Daniels ’53. Daniels passed away on June 27, 2026. She leaves an enduring legacy and a rich history of involvement with Converse. She embodied the ideals she has sought to instill in others: leadership grounded in purpose and service guided by compassion.
Daniels was a Life Trustee, a member of the Converse University Board of Trustees since 1994, and the first graduate of Converse to serve as Chair of Board of Trustees. With her husband, Frank A. Daniels, Jr., she established the Julia Jones Daniels Center for Leadership and Service, supporting the mission of preparing students to be leaders in their communities, giving them skills and experience working to create change, and assisting students in their development of a global experience.
Daniels was a “people person” who was known to leave a Hershey’s Kiss at each member’s spot before meetings of the Board of Trustees.
Daniels was committed to leadership and service even during her time as a student at Converse College. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Elementary Education, served as Vice President of her class, Vice President of the State Student Government Association, President of the Aquatic Club, and on the President’s Board. She also received the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award as a senior at Converse for exemplary citizenship through positive influence and special achievements within the community.
In 1985, the Converse Alumnae Office awarded Daniels its Community Service Award for “displaying qualities of a vibrant citizen evidenced through involvement in her community and state.”
For decades, Daniels faithfully provided guidance through her leadership, volunteerism and financial generosity. She provided steady leadership as a member of the presidential search committee, which ultimately led to the appointment of Converse President Nancy Oliver Gray, who served from 1999-2005.
During her 1999-2001 term as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Daniels led Converse through campus enhancements including the construction of the Sally Abney Rose Physical Activity Complex and Weisiger Center, the Justine V.R. “Nita” Milliken Wing of the Milliken Fine Arts Building, and the renewal of Wilson Hall. Her leadership also carried Converse into the public phase of the $75 million Campaign for Converse: Building for the Future. Daniels and her husband provided funding for the auxiliary gymnasium in the Weisiger Center, and named it “Dot’s Gym” in memory of her sister Dorothy.
“Her love for Converse ran deep and inspired her work.”
Susan “Susu” Phifer Johnson ’65
Gray has fond memories of the years when her service to Converse overlapped with that of Daniels.
“What a lucky person I was to have the opportunity to work with her,” Gray said. “She’s one of those people who believe that if people work together toward a shared goal, they can accomplish more than people working alone, and – as Julia did – that she valued relationships so highly. She believed in building relationships, maintaining relationships, nurturing relationships and establishing partnerships that would be mutually beneficial. She went out of her way to expand my network to benefit Converse and to nurture relationships that were important to Converse.”
Susan “Susu” Phifer Johnson ’65, a Converse University Life Trustee, has sweet memories of time spent with Daniels. She said Daniels was a “people person” who was known to leave a Hershey’s Kiss at each member’s spot before meetings of the Board of Trustees. It was a small gesture but one that affirmed her care and concern for those who worked alongside her.
“Julia was as smart as she was elegant, always graceful and always getting things done,” Johnson said. “Her love for Converse ran deep and inspired her work.”
Beyond her public leadership, Daniels took a keen interest in Converse students, serving as a role model and interacting with them at every opportunity. She often reached out to alumni and others, encouraging them to support the university and its students.
“She gave so much of her time, talent and treasure to strengthening the institution and opening up new opportunities for its students.”
Former Converse President Betsy Fleming
Former Converse University President Betsy Fleming fondly remembered Daniels’ enthusiasm for her alma mater. Fleming said Daniels hosted elegant and joyful events for alumni and was often the life of the party.
“Julia Daniels had an infectious love for Converse,” Fleming said. “An incredible leader and storyteller, she gave so much of her time, talent and treasure to strengthening the institution and opening up new opportunities for its students.”
Ken Howard, also a Life Trustee, met Daniels in Raleigh, North Carolina, where they both lived. He said he came to serve on the Board of Trustees thanks to Daniels’ leadership.
“She loved Converse,” Howard said. “She was a great leader, a person who didn’t just talk about things. She would get things done and make sure things did get done.”
Howard said Daniels’ community commitment extended to other organizations, including extensive involvement with the North Carolina Museum of Art, the North Carolina Museum of History and the Junior League of Raleigh. Importantly, she involved others in community work as well, encouraging them to participate and find their place in service to others.
“She was a very active, involved community-minded person, and certainly, her big love was Converse,” Howard said. “She put a lot of energy into her time as Chair and being on the Board at Converse, and even when she wasn’t on the Board, she was all about Converse.”
“I reflect on her grace, on her good humor, the joy she would bring into our work, and on her good judgment.”
Former Converse President Nancy Oliver Gray
Daniels was known to consistently include others and bring people together, whether at her home, over coffee or around conference tables, all with the purpose of improving her community, her beloved university and the world around her.
“I remember those years so fondly, as I reflect on her grace, on her good humor, the joy she would bring into our work, and on her good judgment – and she helped me through some sticky things with just the right insight and guidance delivered with a gloved hand,” Gray said. “She just was a very, very special person, and I absolutely treasure those days.”