Clark Inducted Into Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Throughout his life, Jim Clark has frequently been recognized for his passion for community service and his literary accomplishments. Last week, the English professor emeritus from NC State added to his long list of accolades when he received North Carolina’s most prestigious honor.

Clark was one of 12 North Carolinians to be inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which recognizes exemplary service to the state. He was recognized by Gov. Josh Stein during a presentation ceremony at the governor’s mansion.

“Being inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Gov. Stein is a double honor,” Clark said. “He is a very responsive leader during these unusual times in North Carolina. My nomination and selection came as a complete surprise — the work of a group of friends with NC State connections and seats at the tables at Cup A Joe’s on Hillsborough Street most weekday mornings. 

“The dynamism of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences allowed me as a faculty member in English for almost 40 years to teach and do research and extension work both on campus and across the state. It was in this double capacity that I found my career path to lead. I followed. Recognition by my native state for my work and my volunteer services is the best award I could have imagined. Receiving the Order of the Long Leaf Pine epitomizes that for me.”

Clark was a member of NC State’s faculty for 38 years and retired in 2005. He led NC State’s Humanities Extension and Publications program for many years, producing cultural geography videos about North Carolina writers in a series called Talk About Writing. Clark also received the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal of Excellence, NC State’s highest faculty award, in 1999.

Clark continues to be involved with 4-H as a donor, archivist and committee chair of the NC 4-H History and Learning Center. He has also held leadership positions with the Paul Green Foundation, Thomas Wolfe Society and North Carolina Literary and Historical Association, among other organizations.

In addition to his Order of the Long Leaf Pine recognition, Clark was inducted into the national 4-H Hall of Fame in 2017 for his contributions to the organization, which included authoring two books that documented North Carolina’s 4-H history. In 2020, he received the John Tyler Caldwell Award for the Humanities — the North Carolina Humanities Council’s most prestigious honor. Created in 1990, the award honors individuals who have strengthened the educational, cultural and civic life of North Carolinians. He was inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in 2018.