CONCORD ó At the May 13 meeting of the Cabarrus County Senior Democrats, retiring president of Rowan Cabarrus Community College, Dr. Richard Brownell was honored with an award from Governor Mike Easley ó the Old North State Award.
Chairman of the Senior Dems, Harry Turner, made opening remarks, followed by a short election summation from N.C. Senate Candidate Jim Johnson. Brownell served as the guest speaker for the evening. Kannapolis Mayor Bob Misenheimer, an RCCC trustee, introduced Brownell, who gave a brief history of his 30-year term as president of RCCC.
Vice president of RCCC, Jeanie Moore, followed on the program, describing the role of RCCC in the development of the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.
Following Brownell’s address, RCCC trustee and N.C. House candidate Wayne Troutman presented Brownell with the Old North State Award.
“This award recognizes dedication and service beyond expectation and excellence to the great state of North Carolina,” Troutman explained.
“Dr. Brownell has been a great asset to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, and we are very fortunate to have had his dedication over these 30 years,” Troutman said.
Brownell will retire effective May 31. He is the longest sitting community college president in the history of the North Carolina Community College System. Under Brownell’s leadership, a small technical institute located in Salisbury grew into Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, the first regional, multi-campus community college in North Carolina. RCCC operates two Cabarrus County campuses and multiple centers.