Former Gov. Jim Hunt to Receive Medal, Address National Education Policy
Former N.C. Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. will accept an award and address educational policy reform under a new presidential administration at North Carolina State University’s annual Friday Medal presentation on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 5:30 p.m.
The Friday Medal will be presented by NC State’s College of Education to Hunt for his lifetime dedication to improving education across the country. The medal is awarded annually to a leader with significant, distinguished and enduring contributions in education who embodies the mission and spirit of the William & Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. The event will be held at the Friday Institute on NC State’s Centennial Campus.
Hunt served an historic four terms as governor of North Carolina. The architect of the state’s Smart Start early childhood program, Hunt has continued his work in education since leaving office in 2001. He served on the federal Commission on the Future of Higher Education assembled by Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, and is chairman of the board and a founder of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, a California-based think tank. He also serves as board chairman of the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy.
“Gov. Hunt’s work and commitment has helped transform education in the state of North Carolina and beyond. His career is exemplary of the ideals that the Friday Medal represents: education, innovation and inspiration,” says Dr. Kathryn M. Moore, dean of the College of Education.
At the event, Hunt’s career, as well as his many contributions to education over the years, will be highlighted. As part of his acceptance, Hunt will discuss the future of education as President-elect Barack Obama’s administration takes office in January.
The Friday Medal event is part of a weeklong celebration of American Education Week. For more information about other events for American Education Week at NC State, visit the Web at www.ced.ncsu.edu.
