SANFORD - Dr. T. Eston Marchant, President of Central Carolina Community College, is one of seven retiring college presidents and chancellors who are being honored by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) with the Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is named in honor of the late Dr. Michael Bennett, longtime president of St. Petersburg College in Florida.

Dr. Marchant, whose retirement is effective April 1, 2019, brought the idea for establishing a PTK chapter when he became CCCC president in 2008.

These awards are given to retiring college presidents who have shown strong support of student success on their campus by recognizing academic achievement, leadership, and service among high-achieving students over the course of their career.

Mr. Julian Philpott, Chairman of the CCCC Board of Trustees, has said of Dr. Marchant: "We are extremely grateful to Dr. Marchant for the decade of outstanding leadership and service he has provided to Central Carolina Community College as its President ... Under Dr. Marchant's presidency, Central Carolina Community College has flourished to become North Carolina's largest non-urban community college with many nationally recognized programs."

Dr. Marchant became President of Central Carolina Community College in August 2008, bringing a strong background in both academics and economic development.

Prior to coming to Central Carolina, he served as Vice President for Educational Affairs at Piedmont Technical College, South Carolina; Vice President of Educational Programs at South Piedmont Community College; Dean of Union Technical Education Center at Anson and Stanly community colleges, North Carolina; and Director of Continuing Education at the College of Charleston, S.C.

Dr. Rodney Powell, Executive Director of the CCCC Center for Academic Excellence and one of the faculty advisors for the CCCC PTK, noted, "Dr. Marchant has been a strong supporter of Phi Theta Kappa for his entire career. When he came to CCCC, he insisted that we establish a chapter in order for our students to connect on a regional and national level with other high achieving students. He attends all of our induction ceremonies as well as meets with officers to discuss projects that can benefit the college. This award could not go to a more deserving person and Phi Theta Kappa will miss his support."

Phi Theta Kappa students have a 91 percent student success rate, and research has shown that strong presidential leadership and support increases the success of their chapter and the depth of the member's college experience, according to a PTK news release.

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 nations. Learn more at ptk.org.

To learn more about the CCCC Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, visit www.cccc.edu/studentservices/
phithetakappa.