NEW BERN – The Craven Community College (Craven CC) Foundation announces recipients of the 14th annual Community Fabric Awards (CFA), an annual event that celebrates leadership excellence in the community. This year’s recipients are Linda MacDonald for Individual Leadership, International Paper for Business Leadership, and Craven Community College Volt Center Dean Eddie Foster for Leadership in Education.
The event was created by the Craven CC Foundation to showcase excellence in leadership as demonstrated by outstanding initiative, impact of service, and inspiration of others. The recipients will be honored during this year's CFA awards ceremony, which will held at the Riverfront Convention Center of Craven County on Tuesday, April 23 from noon to 1:30 p.m.
“This year's event will recognize an impressive group of recipients who have made a tremendous impact,” said Charles Wethington, Craven CC executive director of Institutional Advancement. “Our community is filled with so many deserving individuals and businesses, so the selection process is never an easy task for the committees.”
The nominating committees reviewed narratives and personal testimonials about each recipient during the selection process. Comments about the recipients included:
- “Linda has accomplished much with her many volunteer activities since moving to New Bern 36 years ago. She is exceedingly reticent about seeking credit for her work. Over the years, she has done so much for the community, and she is very deserving of the 2024 Community Fabric Award for Individual Leadership.”
- “International Paper and the IP Foundation support initiatives that fall under its signature causes including education, hunger, health and wellness, and disaster relief. Their commitment to the community is best stated by a previous IP press release: 'Our company cannot succeed if our communities do not succeed. Sponsorships and Foundation grants are an investment in our family, friends, and neighbors.'"
- “Eddie believes in the power of education and the importance of the Volt Center in this community. Since the inception of the Volt in June 2019, Eddie has worked either directly or indirectly with 3,632 students. Over 800 of these students have been immediately employed with local businesses or manufactures upon completion of their training.”
All three recipients will be honored during the CFA ceremony. Funds raised through event sponsorships and ticket purchases are used to support the Foundation’s programs, as well as equipment, facilities, and emerging initiatives of the college.
Special thanks to this year's presenting sponsors, CarolinaEast Health System and Ward & Smith, P.A.
For more information, contact Wethington at 252-638-7351 or wethingc@cravencc.edu. Tickets are available for purchase at cravencc.edu/CFA.
