Dabney received the award at a black tie dinner held in Louisville on Jan. 28 for a gathering of trustees, major donors and other friends of the college.
Centre gives the award each year to honor an individual for leadership and service.
Dabney was chosen on the basis of his contributions to business and civic affairs, including volunteer work with the Frazier Rehabilitation Center, the Kentucky Nature Conservancy and the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program. Born in Louisville, Dabney graduated from Louisville Male High School and attended the University of Florida. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952 and in 1954 joined the Standard Foods company. He subsequently served as president of the firm from 1956 until the company was sold in 1995. He also served as president of Blatz Paint Company from 1959 to 1976.