By Steve Gilliam , University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-5371
Posted 4-23-07
GREENSBORO, NC – Former Governor Jim Hunt and retired banker and civic leader William F. “Bill” Black will receive The University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s top awards for service Thursday, May 3.
Hunt will receive the Charles Duncan McIver Award and Black will receive the Adelaide F. Holderness / H. Michael Weaver Award. The awards will be presented at 6:30 p.m. in the Elliott University Center Auditorium. The presentations will be followed by a reception in honor of the university’s support groups – the Founders, McIver, Chancellor’s and Associates societies – to be held in Cone Ballroom. The awards are authorized for presentation by UNCG’s Board of Trustees.
“The McIver Award and the Holderness/Weaver Award are the highest honors presented by the university, and this year we celebrate the accomplishments of two outstanding leaders,” said UNCG Chancellor Patricia A. Sullivan. “This year’s recipients have helped change the state of North Carolina and the Triad for the better and they have inspired all who know them and have worked with them.”
Hunt, who lives in Lucama, was governor from 1977-85 and from 1993-2001, and is now a partner in the Raleigh office of Womble Carlyle Sandridge and Rice, one of the state’s largest law firms. He chairs the boards of the Hunt Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy at UNC Chapel Hill and the Institute for Emerging Issues at N.C. State University. As governor, Hunt focused several initiatives on early childhood development and improving the quality of teaching. His Smart Start program is a nonprofit, public-private partnership in all of the state’s counties providing quality child care, health care, and family support for each child who needs it. Smart Start has been studied by early childhood leaders from all 50 states and has been recognized by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Hunt has received numerous national awards for his public service.
Black, who lives in Greensboro, began his banking career in 1957. He was 39-years-old in 1970 when he opened Community Bank, the first local bank in Greensboro, which expanded to six branches before undergoing several mergers to become part of BB&T. Black continued to work at BB&T until his retirement from the board in 2000. He has been a long-time supporter of UNCG and has established endowments in four of UNCG’s professional schools and served as a committee leader for the UNCG Students First Campaign. Among his civic activities, Black has chaired the Greensboro Merchants Association and the boards of the Greensboro Historical Museum and the Salvation Army of Greensboro. He has also served as a board member for the Greensboro Development Corporation, the Guilford County Veterans Memorial, Greensboro Preservation Society, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and the Greensboro Sports Council.
The McIver Medal recognizes individuals who have rendered distinguished public service to the state or nation. The bronze medal bears the likeness of Charles Duncan McIver, the founding president of the institution that is now UNCG. Only one medal can be awarded in any year.
The Holderness/Weaver Award, a crystal bowl, recognizes North Carolinians who have rendered distinguished public service to the community or state. It was named in honor of Adelaide F. Holderness and H. Michael Weaver, both of Greensboro, who have been longtime supporters of UNCG and leaders in Greensboro and the state.
