System President H. Martin Lancaster led the accolades by first quoting Herring. "‘The only valid philosophy for North Carolina is the philosophy of total education.’" Herring spoke these words during the early days of the System. "That is why the doors to the institutions of North Carolina's system of community colleges must never be closed to anyone of suitable age who can learn what they teach. We must take people where they are and carry them as far as they can go within the assigned functions of the system."

This philosophy of community colleges has been the guiding principle of the NCCCS for the past 40 years. The cornerstone has been exemplary leadership, enabling the colleges to maintain the community college mission.

To honor Dr. Herring, the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation has established the W. Dallas Herring Leadership Development Institute; to help ensure that exemplary leadership continues. Five individuals described by President Lancaster as some of the System’s "brightest stars" are the first Herring Fellows. They will receive training in leadership to prepare them to serve at community colleges. As more money is available, more Herring Fellows will be announced. The first five are:

Dr. Kay Albertson, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Wayne Community College
Dr. Ralph G. Soney, Vice President of Instruction, Mitchell Community College
Dr. Linda Thomas-Glover, Vice President of Instruction, Guilford Technical Community College
Dr. Sharon Morrissey, Vice President for Instructional Services, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Dr. Mark Kinlaw, Vice President for Instruction and Support Services at Robeson Community College.

Lancaster told the room full of community college supporters that it was "appropriate that this institute honor the person whose whole life has been devoted to service and leadership in education." He said he hoped that Herring’s words and example would "inspire these community college leaders to emulate Dr. Herring in their careers in North Carolina."

The Endowment and the Fellows Program are sponsored by the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation, a non-profit organization working to enhance the capacity of the North Carolina Community College System and its community colleges. A major foundation goal is to build capacity for leadership, hence the W. Dallas Herring Fellows Program.

Additional projects supported by the Foundation include:

Statewide awards for outstanding presidents, faculty, staff and students
Support for adults who aspire to fill the great need for teachers in our public schools
Special programs for Hispanic students
Studies on the workforce needs in healthcare.

The Foundation set a goal of five million dollars, including a permanent endowment. Foundation Chair Dwight Allen announced that the Foundation has exceeded its goal, raising six million, fifty-three thousand dollars to date, including a major gift of $250 thousand from friends of Dallas Herring. Once a few proposals and solicitations still in progress are completed, the active campaign will end.

Also during the Anniversary program, four community college alumnae, including Dr. Ann Britt, Martin Community College President, shared their success stories, made possible by their experiences at a community college.

The NCCCS serves nearly 800,000 students and is one of the largest community college systems in the country. The System is an open door to opportunity for enhanced job skills, literacy services, and adult education in North Carolina.

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