Senator Jerry W. Tillman was presented the 2008 Distinguished Service Award by the Randolph Community College Board of Trustees during their annual meeting on July 17. The award is presented to an individual, group, or organization that has made a long-term, consistent commitment that is extraordinary and has had visible impact or result directly related to support the mission of Randolph Community College.
Tillman was present to accept the award, accompanied by his wife, Marian, and son, Patrick. "I am humbled and pleased and honored to accept this award," said Tillman, who described RCC as "the greatest resource Randolph County has." He was presented with a hand-carved, acrylic "R" sculpture representing RCC's logo, about which he commented "I will cherish this above anything I have received that I have on my wall."
Tillman was originally appointed to the RCC Board of Trustees on July 1, 1973, by the Randolph County Board of Commissioners and was reappointed by the commissioners for six terms. He served 29 years and 7 months as a member of the board and served as vice chair of the board for 3 years and served as chair for 4½ years. Because of his long and distinguished service, he was awarded the status of Trustee Emeritus by the RCC board in 2007.
During his leadership years with the RCC Board of Trustees, the college received reaccreditation from SACS, celebrated its 40th anniversary, constructed the Health & Science Center, added an addition to the Design Center, added Building B to the Archdale Center, constructed the free-standing Campus Store, constructed the Emergency Services Training Center, and conducted the capital campaign for the construction of the Foundation Conference Center. The FCC was under construction and almost complete when Tillman retired from the board in January of 2003 to assume his position as a North Carolina Senator representing Randolph and Montgomery counties.
Senator Jerry Tillman (right) accepts the Randolph Community College Board of Trustees 2008 Distinguished Service Award on July 17 from Board Chairman Jim Campbell.
