Remembering Brettia Egerton (BSBA ’88)

Known for her tremendous work ethic and spirit of commitment, Brettia Arphine Egerton (BSBA ’88), 51, died on Feb. 17, 2018.

Egerton served on the Alumni Council at UNC Kenan-Flagler with Brian McBroom (BSBA ’88). They met their freshman year at Carolina.

“She was a wonderful person, and you could tell that she was a force to be reckoned with due to her strong study habits,” says McBroom. “This served her well prior to business school, but especially after we were admitted. This was quite an accomplishment considering that there were so few African Americans in the School at the time. Not only would Brettia do the assigned problems, but also the rest of the problems in the chapter. Sometimes she would get other books to work on additional problems.”

Born on Nov. 10, 1966, in Durham, North Carolina, Egerton was the youngest of two children and received her early education in the Durham County Public School System. She was a proud graduate of the Hillside High School Class of 1984, where she was a member of both the marching and symphonic bands and several scholastic honor societies, graduating third in her class. After graduating from Carolina, she went on to earn her MBA from Clark Atlanta University in 2001.

Egerton was an advocate for change. She assisted in the formation of the Black Business Student Alliance at UNC, a group of African Americans supporting one another once they were admitted into the Business School, and served as an officer.

After graduation, she secured Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Fraud Examiner designations and worked for the Florida Department of Revenue before joining AT&T as a senior audit manager. She audited business processes across multiple disciplines within the company.

As an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Egerton mentored local high school girls and raised funds for scholarships and charities, including the American Cancer Society. She also served as an Aspire Academy online mentor to high school students on the west coast and as the director of community affairs for the National Association of Black Accountants-Atlanta Chapter.

Years later after graduating from Carolina, Egerton and McBroom became reacquainted in Atlanta. “Brettia was still that wonderful friend from college,” says McBroom. “She made sure to get me involved in various local organizations. She was especially fond of UNC Kenan-Flagler’s local alumni chapter where she sat on the planning committee. She encouraged me to attend the meetings.”

Pete Canalichio (MBA ’90) met Egerton while serving as president of the Atlanta alumni chapter.

“After I requested volunteers at a breakfast in 2015, Brettia came up and introduced herself,” says Canalichio. “She had a big, warm smile and a willing desire to ‘help in any way I can.’ She assisted with the marketing and execution of our alumni events. She also supported our Junior Achievement efforts to improve financial acumen for the youth in Atlanta. In each instance, Brettia brought a willingness to roll up her sleeves and that big, warm smile. This is the spirit of commitment Brettia always brought with her. She was one of the truly special people who has come into my life, and I will miss her dearly.”

Egerton, Canalichio and McBroom served together on UNC Kenan Flagler’s Alumni Council.

“Brettia was so proud of her university, especially the Business School,” says McBroom. “She was a force of nature and a wonderful friend who will truly be missed.”