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Bobby Powell awarded Order of the Long Leaf Pine
SANFORD – Bobby Powell, chairman of Central Carolina Community College’s Board of Trustees, was almost speechless when he was presented with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Wednesday.
The award is the highest honor the governor can bestow on a North Carolina citizen. It is given only to those who have a long record of extraordinary service to the state or their community.
N.C. Rep. Jimmy Love Sr., acting as Gov. Mike Easley’s representative, presented the prestigious award at the Oct. 25 fall CCCC board of trustees meeting at the Harnett County Campus. Powell had not known he was to be a recipient until the presentation.
“This was a surprise – thank you very much,” he said as he received the framed certificate naming him as a recipient.
“When I came to Sanford 45 years ago, the community took me in,” Powell added later. “A lot of people contributed to what I accomplished. The things I did were, hopefully, giving back to what people gave me.”
Powell moved to Sanford from Roanoke Rapids 45 years ago. Since then, he has been actively involved in service to the community and education. Between 1961 and 1998, Powell was head PGA professional at the Sanford Golf Course, club manager, course superintendent and a City of Sanford department head.
He was the first Lee County coordinator of Community Action Programs and directed the first Lee County Headstart program. He served on the Lee County Board of Education from 1980 to 1992. He has served 14 years, so far, on the CCCC Board of Trustees, the last two as chairman. He is also a member of the CCCC Foundation Board of Directors.
“Bobby Powell supports the college and is enthusiastic about the benefits that come from educating adults,” said CCCC President Matt Garrett. “He works industriously to increase the resources the college needs in order to adequately serve students. He has played a key role in most college projects and accomplishments during my tenure as president. Our region is fortunate to have him.”
Powell is a life member of the Professional Golfers Association of America and a member of the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association. He established the Louis W. (Bobby) Powell Golf Management Scholarship Fund at Campbell University for students in its Golf Management program.
He has served on the Lee County Airport Authority and on the Capital Bank local board of directors. He is a Shriner and a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.
Powell was a member of the Sanford Exchange Club for 37 years, serving on the board of directors, a term as president, and as an Exchangite of the Year. He is a past member of the Sanford Chamber of Commerce and Lee County Committee of 100.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine was established in 1965. Nationally known recipients over the years include Maya Angelou, Billy Graham, Dale Earnhardt, and Michael Jordan.
In addition to receiving a certificate, recipients also receive the privilege of proposing, at any time, the North Carolina Toast:
“Here’s to the land of the long leaf pine,
The summer land where the sun doth shine,
Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great,
Here’s to ‘down home,’ the Old North State.”
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