WHEREAS, the State Board of Community Colleges takes tremendous pride in the outstanding qualities and dedication of North Carolina citizens who have served North Carolina’s community colleges; and

WHEREAS, Helen B. Dowdy has steadfastly reflected these attributes in an outstanding manner during 48 years of service to the North Carolina Community College System in various capacities, which began even before the Department of Community Colleges was officially created; and

WHEREAS, Helen B. Dowdy, assistant to Dr. I.E. Ready at the North Carolina Department of Curriculum Study and Research, worked with Ready and others in the development of the study which paved the way for the establishment of the system; and

WHEREAS, Helen B. Dowdy as the administrative assistant to I. E. Ready, the founding head of the then fledgling Community College System, had a career that stretched from the blueprint stage of the system through final construction of the 58^th campus of the North Carolina Community College System. During that time she literally worked at the side of every president of the system until her retirement from the NCCCS in 1992; and

WHEREAS, Helen B. Dowdy, as administrative assistant to each president, possessed a knowledge and sense of history that proved invaluable; and

WHEREAS Helen B. Dowdy also served as the Special Assistant to the President for Board Affairs and in that capacity was primary liaison between the State Board of Community Colleges and the local trustees; and

WHEREAS, Helen B. Dowdy continued her service to North Carolina’s community colleges after her retirement from the System Office as the Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of Community College Trustees, the organization responsible for providing important education opportunities for trustees. As Executive Director, Ms. Dowdy has served as liaison between the State Board and the NCACCT, as well as with other agencies and organizations affiliated with community colleges. She was recognized for her significant contributions with the presentation of the prestigious I.E Ready Award;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: 

That the State Board of Community Colleges expresses its esteem and gratitude to Helen B. Dowdy for her dedication, her life-long commitment to public education, and her service to the people and corporate citizenry of North Carolina.

____________________________________

State Board of Community Colleges

___________________________________________

H. Martin Lancaster, President

North Carolina Community College System