Lisa Turlington works hard serving the Sampson Community College’s Foundation and her efforts were recently recognized at a state conference.
Turlington, executive director for the Foundation, and a well known member of the Sampson County community, was recognized with a state award at N.C. CORD’s annual conference in September at Wilkes Community College.
The award was presented by Mort Congleton, executive vice president for College Development at Wake Tech, at a dinner celebration with all her fellow NC CORD members present. Turlington was shocked to receive the honor.
“I am honored and humbled to be recognized by peers for service in community college advancement,” Turlington said following the presentation of the award. “The hard work of development professionals contributes directly to student success, and I have the privilege of working with some of the best in the state through NC CORD. The recognition actually stunned me to silence. And that’s saying something.”
NC CORD, or North Carolina Council of Resource Development, is a statewide organization comprised of North Carolina Community College Resource Development officers working together to enhance resource development efforts on all state community college campuses while providing professional development opportunities within the North Carolina Community College System. Over 50 community colleges in North Carolina are currently members which includes over 100 resource development, fundraising and grant professionals from throughout the state.
Foundation assistant Brandon Wiggins, who works with Turlington, said she was very deserving of the honor.
“Lisa is truly dedicated to her local community and treats her job and the time spent doing it as a personal investment in that community,” Wiggins said. “It’s not just a job, it truly is her passion. After working with her for four years, I truly have learned the difference between simply fundraising and committing yourself to building a culture of philanthropy that values thanking donors and valuing relationships as much if not more than the monetary gifts.”
The NC CORD Distinguished Service Award recognizes those who have served the organization and the cause of resource development in NC Community Colleges for many years. It is awarded only when a candidate of merit is nominated. The NC CORD Board of Directors makes the award decision.
“I am so proud of Lisa for receiving this wonderful recognition from her peers across the state of North Carolina,” Dr. Paul Hutchins, president of SCC, said. “Lisa provides outstanding leadership for the SCC Foundation and through her great service to NC CORD has helped many other Foundation leaders in the North Carolina Community College System. It was an honor to be in Wilkesboro for the presentation of the award.”