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| For Release: IMMEDIATE | Contact: Public Affairs |
| Date: June 28, 2000 |
NORRIS TOLSON JOINS STATE BOARD OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES
RALEIGH : Norris Tolson of Pinetops is the newest member of the State Board of Community Colleges, elected by the North Carolina House of Representatives. Tolson is no stranger to state government. He was elected to the North Carolina House in 1994, representing parts of Edgecombe, Nash, Pitt and Wilson counties. He resigned his legislative post in 1997 to become Secretary of Commerce for Gov. Jim Hunt. He later took over the helm of the N.C. Department of Transportation before resigning to run for governor. Tolson dropped out of the gubernatorial race last summer and ran for Commissioner of Agriculture in the May 2 Democratic primary.
The state House confirmed Tolson to fill a vacancy on the State Board of Community Colleges on June 26. He will complete the term of Sharon Allred Decker of Charlotte, who resigned from the State Board. The term expires June 30, 2003. He will be sworn in at the next State Board meeting on July 28 in Raleigh.
"I am delighted to be appointed to the State Board," said Tolson. "I have always said that our community colleges represent the key link to the growth and prosperity of North Carolina. I look forward to helping create the policy that will steer the System as it fulfills its mission," he added.
As Commerce Secretary, Tolson structured a reorganization of the department that focused on the state’s workforce and placed an emphasis on an improved use of technology. North Carolina Community College System President H. Martin Lancaster says Tolson’s time in Commerce makes him a "perfect fit" for the State Board. "He was instrumental in the passage of a legislative package that provided more new and expanded industries training funds for community colleges," he added. "And I am sure that dedication to the mission of community colleges will continue."
State Board Chairman Dr. G. Herman Porter says he is extremely pleased to have Tolson join the State Board. "His extensive experience in the business community and state government, combined with his warm personal style will be a valuable asset to the State Board," he said. Dr. Porter added, "I am sure he will contribute a great deal as we move through this very important period leading up to the November Higher Education Bond vote and afterwards as we continue the management of our community colleges."
Tolson was a long-time employee of E.I. DuPont. He joined the company in 1963, working in various research, marketing and sales assignments in the company’s agrichemical business. He retired from a position as vice president and general manager of a large segment of the company’s electronic business in 1993.
Tolson is married to the former Betsy Cobb of Edgecombe County. They have three children and three grandchildren.
The North Carolina Community College System, with more than 759,000 students, is the third largest community college system in the United States. The System is the state=s primary agency for delivery of job training, literacy and adult education programs.
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