November 3, 2014
Emeritus Professor Awarded "The Order of the Long Leaf Pine"
Dr. William B. Martin, College of Education Professor Emeritus, recently, received one of the most prestigious honors the Governor of North Carolina can award The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. This award is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state. In Dr. Martin’s case, his service is well documented within the College of Education. He was one of the Charter members of the Eleanor Roosevelt Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education. The society presented him the Dr. Thomas E. Musselman Award for Service Excellence, which is given to members who have inspired others through their volunteer efforts with education-focused service programs and who have made a difference in their local, regional, and global communities. He also created an endowed scholarship through KDP for two education majors at ECU: one special education and one middle grades education.
Dr. Martin spent 31 years as a faculty member in the College of Education, retiring in 1991, after being awarded the position of Professor Emeritus at ECU in 1990. In addition to his endeavors at ECU, he continues to be an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis, and the Civitan Club (for more than 53 years). He also is active in the Arc of North Carolina, having served as president, vice president of the Southeast Region and chairman of the Eastern Division of the Life Guardianship program.
State Representative Jean Farmer-Butterfield surprised Dr. Martin by presenting the award at a recent Kiwanis Club meeting. “It was a total surprise for me,” Martin, 90, said, explaining that the award was announced at the end of a recent Kiwanis meeting.
For more information, please view the Daily Reflector Article.
Pictured: Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield stands with Dr. William Martin as he holds his Order of the Longleaf Pine award in the studio at The Daily Reflector on Thursday. (Rhett Butler/The Daily Reflector)