MOC recognizes Tyrrell educator
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 25, 2008 1:46 PM
James Cahoon
MOUNT OLIVE -- James Cahoon of Columbia received the 2008 Distinguished Service award during Mount Olive College's annual alumni homecoming weekend.
The award took on particular significance since it was presented by Cahoon's former roommate at the college, Barry Whitley of Florida.
While Cahoon might have been a great roommate, though, it was his character that really stood out, Whitley said.
"He is a great friend, more like a brother," he said. "I appreciated then his good morals, honesty and wisdom as I still do to this day."
Cahoon, the assistant superintendent of the Tyrrell County public school system, graduated from Mount Olive in 1975 with an associate degree. He earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from Atlantic Christian College, now Barton College, in 1977, and his master's degree in education from East Carolina University in 1983.
An active member of Sound Side Free Will Baptist Church, he has served as a board member and chairman of the Free Will Baptist Children's Home. In 1997, he received the Outstanding Educator Award from ECU and in 1997 was named Tyrrell County Schools Principal of the Year.
The distinguished service award is given for participation and leadership in activities that promote the advancement of Mount Olive College. Cahoon was nominated because of such loyalty and service, financially as well as being active in other capacities. He has served several terms on the alumni association, including serving as its president in 2003-04.
He and his wife, Kathy, also an MOC alumnus, have a daughter, Kat, who is a senior at the college.