The first I.E. Ready recipient, the late George B. Autry, founder of the non-profit research group, MDC, Inc., was the leader of the Commission on the future of the Community College System. The commission’s report, published in 1998-1989, has served as the basis for System planning and legislative action ever since. Autry, who passed away in April of 1999, believed that education created economic prosperity for North Carolina and saw the Community College System as the major tool for developing the capacities and skills of ordinary people.

Phillip J. Kirk, Jr., President and Secretary of the North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry, Chairman of the State Board of Education, member of the Governor’s Education Cabinet, and former member of the State Board of Community Colleges is the second I. E. Ready recipient. Kirk served as Secretary of the Department of Human Resources under two governors. A longtime friend of education, Kirk chaired the working committees for the successful statewide campaign for $2.75 billion in bonds for schools and roads in 1976 and the highly successful $3.1 billion Higher Education Bonds Referendum this year.

The third recipient is William F. Simpson, who served on the State Board of Community Colleges from 1985 to 1995 and was chair from 1989 to 1993. Simpson has received the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine for his years of service to the state. During his 44-year business career, Simpson owned and operated six successful businesses in retail and restaurants. He served on the Governor’s Commission on Workforce Preparedness, was Chairman of the Rockingham Republican Party, President of the Reidsville Chamber of Commerce and past President of the Reidsville Merchants Association.

The I. E. Ready Award recognizes people who have made important contributions to the community college movement locally, statewide and nationally. It is presented to people who have contributed significantly to the establishment and growth of North Carolina’s community colleges. The State Board of Community Colleges established the award in 1983. The award commemorates the ratification of legislation on May 17, 1963, which created the North Carolina Community College System.

Past I.E. Ready recipients have included Governor Terry Sanford, Governor Robert W. Scott, William C. Friday, Dr. Prezell Robinson and Dr. William Dallas Herring.

In addition to the I.E. Ready Award presentation, the program will honor the North Carolina Community College System retirees of the past year and the community college Excellence in Teaching Award recipient and finalists. The President’s Leadership Award, given to an outstanding student or alumnus, will also be presented.

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.

For information about attending the Day of Recognition luncheon, contact Peggy Beach at NCCCS, extension 307.

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