Eight North Carolinians were recently honored as the newest members of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and two were bestowed with the Laurel Wreath award by Governor Josh Stein. The Long Leaf Pine is a recognition for those with significant service in the state, while the Laurel Wreath celebrates exceptional contributions to athletics, according to an announcement on the official North Carolina Governor's website.
In a statement obtained by the governor's office, Stein highlighted the diversity of the contributions by this year's honorees, saying “North Carolina is full of outstanding individuals who have contributed to our state through careers in government, law, business, philanthropy, and sports; this group exemplifies the best of our state, and I am pleased to honor them today.” The honorees, which include educators, a bank director, a town manager, legal professionals, and a university chancellor, come from a swath of vocations, each brought a unique impact to the lives of North Carolinians, oftentimes behind the scenes and without the glare of the public adoration that comes with more visible positions, as per the NC Governor's website.
Awarded the Laurel Wreath were Erin Matson and Parker Byrd, the former a university coach and the latter a collegiate athlete, representing the state's rich athletic tradition; according to the same announcement by the NC Governor's website. Matson, known for her work in field hockey at UNC Chapel Hill, and Byrd, a baseball player from East Carolina University, stood out this year for their roles in promoting and achieving sporting excellence in the state.
The laurels of the Long Leaf Pine went to a venerable list that included John Lucas, Sr., Jim Johnson, Sue Henderson, Janice Cole, Lora Cubbage, Randy Woodson, Steve Troxler, and G.K. Butterfield, the former, a notable principal whose legacy continues posthumously and the latter, a U.S. representative whose public service is heralded; the full list reflects individuals whose lifetime of work has threaded through the tapestry of North Carolina's public sphere, shaping policy, education, agriculture, and banking, touching the state's breath. Notably, Woodson, who serves as Chancellor of NC State University, and Troxler, the Commissioner of Agriculture, have been leading figures in their respective fields.
These awards aim to both recognize and celebrate the deep and abiding dedication of these individuals, setting a standard for public service and community involvement that Governor Stein hopes will inspire future generations. The ceremony provides a moment to reflect on the power of committed individual actions to forge a collective history, one honorable endeavor at a time.
