Jimmy Williams receives Order of the Long Leaf Pine
By From staff reports
Published in News on August 26, 2018 3:05 AM
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Jimmy Williams, right, hugs fellow UMO Foundation board member Rob Bizzell after Williams was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
MOUNT OLIVE -- Longtime Mount Olive resident Jimmy Williams has been awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine -- the highest honor the N.C. governor bestows upon a civilian.
Signed by Gov. Roy Cooper, Williams' certificate was presented on Thursday during a University of Mount Olive Foundation board meeting, of which Williams is a member.
The honor is given to those who have shown exemplary service to the state and their communities, board Chairman Rob Bizzell said.
"Here's to the land of the long leaf pine, the summer land where the sun doth shine, where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great," Bizzell said reciting the North Carolina State Toast. "Here's to down home, the Old North State."
"I am honored to receive this award," Williams said. "I consider it a reflection of all of the good people I have had the pleasure of working with over the years and the support I have been given by them.
"I am most appreciative of my wife and family for being with me on the journey. To be recognized with this honor is one of the most significant things to happen in my life. I thank all who were a part of making it happen."
Williams has been an instrumental force in Wayne County for his entire adult life.
A native of Pink Hill in Lenoir County, Williams received his bachelor's degree from Atlantic Christian College and his M.Ed. degree from East Carolina University.
Williams has served as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent of Wayne County Public Schools.
He was headmaster at Wayne Country Day School and led it to its first accreditation.
Williams has served as vice president at UMO on two separate occasions. From 1984 to 1993, he served as vice president of college affairs, and then as vice president of institutional advancement.
He returned to the university in 2014, when he came out of retirement to assume responsibilities as vice president for institutional advancement.
During his last stint with UMO, Williams successfully led the fundraising initiative for the institution's track and field/lacrosse complex.
He stepped down from the vice president position in 2016 and became the special assistant to the vice president to focus on special fund raising projects.
In addition to his professional activities, Williams served with distinction in leadership positions with First United Methodist Church and numerous service organizations in this community and throughout the region.
He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Medallion from the Boys and Girls Club, the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, Paul Harris Rotary Fellow and the University of Mount Olive Athletic Hall of Fame.
In May, Williams was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by the University of Mount Olive.