7 March 2006

Sarah Terry receives Longwood Presidential Distinguished Service Award

Following the award presentation, Sarah Terry was joined by (from left) Susan Allen, The Honorable Virgil Goode, and Dr. Patricia Cormier.

Farmville resident and former member of the Longwood University Board of Visitors Sarah E. Terry was awarded the Longwood University Presidential Distinguished Service Award from President Patricia Cormier at a special Founders Day Luncheon on campus yesterday.

Recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award must have rendered extraordinary service to Longwood by:  "Contributing significantly to helping the University achieve its mission; contributing significantly to the wellbeing, growth and development of the University and local community; bringing recognition to the University and adding luster to its name; giving tirelessly of themselves to Longwood for an extended period of time; and consistently demonstrating the qualities of the Longwood Citizen Leader. 

As Dr. Cormier said, "Sarah is indeed such a person... she is one of those rare individuals who can vision a universe beyond herself.  She is one of the most unselfish, positive individuals I have ever known...  She has served this community with unlimited passion and perseverance, serving currently as The Honorable Virgil Goode's representative in Farmville, as Executive Director of the Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the Benefit Steering Committee for S.T.E.P.S, as an organizer for the Farmville Churches Unity Walk, as a member of the Board of Directors of the Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity, and as a member of the Board of the Moton School. At the level of the Commonwealth, she served as Secretary to the Board of Corrections and the Board of Directors of the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.  And we all know that she has supported both Senator George and Susan Allen on numerous occasions."

Terry, who served with distinction on the Longwood University Board of Visitors from 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2003, was presented with a medallion and resolution from Dr. Cormier, which cited Terry as "a model ambassador for Longwood University throughout Southside and the Commonwealth of Virginia; and... a positive role model for the best in citizen leadership, undertaking causes that benefit the underserved..."

Among the honored guests at the awards luncheon were Sarah's husband Parker; her son, Trip; her sister-in-law Robbie Burkholder; Mrs. Susan Allen;  the Honorable Virgil Goode and his wife Lucy; the Honorable Syd Newman, Mayor of Farmville;  Mr. Barry Case and Dr. Helen Warriner-Burke members of the Longwood Board of Visitors;  and former Board members Ann Green Baise, Dr. Mark Crabtree, and Virginia Russell.

Established in 2000, the Presidential Distinguished Service Award is given only to deserving individuals who are not regular employees of the University and who are not current members of any of the Longwood boards.  The Award has been presented only three times in the past to honor Mr. Paul Fox, founding member of the Longwood University College of Business and Economics Advisory Board;  Mr. Billy Clark, founder and editor of Virginia Writing, and the 13 fire companies for their heroic efforts during the Great Fire of 2001.