L.W. "Bobby" Powell, of Sanford, an 18-year member of the Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees, has been appointed to another four-year term by Gov. Bev Perdue.
SANFORD - L.W. "Bobby" Powell, of Sanford, an 18-year member of the Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees, has been appointed to another four-year term by Gov. Bev Perdue.
"Thank you for your willingness to continue to serve," Perdue wrote in her reappointment letter to Powell. "Your diligent and effective service has already made a difference for our state."
Powell was first appointed to the board in 1992 by the Lee County Board of Education to finish the term of trustee Helen Holder, who had passed away. He served from February 1992 to June 1993. In 1996, Gov. Jim Hunt appointed him to the board. Since then, he has been reappointed by Govs. Mike Easley and Bev Perdue. He was sworn in for his current four-year term on June 18.
"I've enjoyed my years on the board," said Powell, who served as board chairman from 2006 to 2010. "It was always about doing the right thing for the right reasons. I never thought I would be on the board this long. It's been a marvelous experience. It's kept me young, kept me energized."
During his tenure on the board, the college has had three presidents: Dr. Marvin Joyner, Dr. Matt Garrett and, since 2008, Dr. Bud Marchant.
"Bobby Powell has served with distinction on the CCCC Board of Trustees for 18 years," Marchant said. "His service has helped Central Carolina Community College become the institution of excellence that it is. We are delighted that he is willing to continue sharing with us his wisdom, experience, and commitment to and love for the college."
Since 1992, the college has undergone major expansion of both facilities and programs in Chatham, Harnett and Lee counties, reaching out to the ever-growing number of residents with quality education.
In 2010, the college was recognized by Washington Monthly magazine as among the Top 50 community colleges in the nation. Recently, CNNMoney online ranked it second in the state and 65th in the nation for helping students to be successful.
Powell credited the success of the college to good leadership, including the president, 17-member board of trustees, strong community support, and the hiring of excellent faculty, staff and administrators who see themselves as part of a team working together for student success.
"Dr Marchant has done a wonderful job," he said. "The college has been a blessing for individuals who have lost their jobs in these tough economic times, giving them a chance to retrain and reenter the work force, to be successful in their communities. Education is the secret to success. It doesn't guarantee it, but it gives you opportunities."
Powell came to Sanford from Roanoke Rapids in 1962 with the N.C. Department of Corrections. He has been actively involved in the community since then.
In 2007, he was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor the governor of North Carolina can bestow on a citizen of the state. It is given only to those who have a long record of extraordinary service to the state or their community.
From 1967 to 1998, Powell was head PGA professional, club manager and course superintendent at the Sanford Golf Course and a City of Sanford department head. He is a life member of the Professional Golfers Association of America, member of the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association, and on the Campbell University Advisory Board of its Golf Management Program. The Louis W. (Bobby) Powell Golf Management Scholarship Fund at Campbell was established in his honor.
In Lee County, Powell served on the board of education from 1980-1992, was the first Lee County co-coordinator of Community Action Programs, and directed the first Lee County Head Start program. He still serves on the CCCC Foundation Board of Directors.
In addition, Powell was a member of the Sanford Exchange Club for 37 years and was named Exchangite of the Year for 2006. He served on the Sanford Chamber of Commerce, Lee County Committee of 100, and the Lee County Airport Authority. He still serves on the Capital Bank local board of directors, is a Shriner and a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church.
L.W. "Bobby" Powell, of Sanford, an 18-year member of the Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees, has been appointed to another four-year term by Gov. Bev Perdue.