SANFORD - 弗朗西丝·华纳 looked back over almost 80 years - most all of them spent in service to others, ,笑了.

"My life's been a wonderful journey," the Lemon Springs native said.

过去的12年, much of that service and journey have been helping to provide educational opportunities for area residents through her work on the 中央卡罗莱纳社区学院 Board of Trustees.

"Serving as a trustee for the college has been the icing on the cake," she said.

华纳 retired from the 推荐正规买球平台 Board of Trustees, effective June 30. Prior to the start of the board's July 27 summer meeting, 董事会成员, 家庭, college employees and friends gathered at the Dennis A. 柳条文娱中心 to congratulate her on her achievement and selfless service.

“在她担任董事的12年里, Frances has participated in the hiring of two presidents and helped oversee the greatest expansion of the college in its history,中国交建主席马尚说. "Frances constantly strove to ensure that the college remained true to its mission of providing opportunity to the citizens of Lee, 哈尼特和查塔姆县. She is the perfect example of what a college trustee should be. 我们将深深地怀念她."

董事会主席埃德·加里森说, 我代表董事会和学院, presented 华纳 with a large print of drawings by artist Jerry Miller of some of the buildings at the college's campuses in the three counties.

Trustee Bobby Powell, of Sanford, was already on the board when 华纳 arrived in 1999. She described him as a mentor to her as she learned the role of trustee. 仍然是理事的鲍威尔赞扬了她的服务.

"Frances has served with distinction; her devotion has been unsurpassed," he said. "She showed the dedication of a superb board member. 和她共事是我的荣幸."

华纳在会上致辞, 说, "I can't describe what this college means to me, what it has meant to serve with all the trustees and presidents during the past 12 years. Thanks to all of you, what great memories I have to cherish."

华纳's links with the college go back much further than 1999, when the Lee County Board of Commissioners first appointed her to the board of trustees. 20世纪60年代, she had enrolled in the college's first nursing program, but was unable to attend because her first husband, 韦恩·罗伯茨, 得了重病. 他于1969年去世.

在他去世的前一年, 她被任命为柠檬泉的邮政局长, 她一直担任这个职位直到1992年退休. 华纳 was already very active at Lemon Springs United Methodist Church and in the community, but found yet another outlet for her desire to serve: becoming a substitute teacher.

She went to 推荐正规买球平台 for training, taking advanced math and effective teacher training classes. Everyone in her teacher training class had to direct a lesson in the class.

"I got a bunch of combs and directed a comb band," she recalled with a laugh.

华纳 subbed for several years, then served a term on the Lee County Board of Education. 她决定不竞选连任, but her reputation for dedicated service didn't allow her any downtime. The Lee County Board of Commissioners appointed her to a four-year term on the 推荐正规买球平台 Board of Trustees in 1999 and then re-appointed her twice more.

“我从未想过担任受托人, 但当我被问到，我想, “多么好的机会啊!’”她说。. "Education is one of the most important things a person needs for life. 我没有犹豫."

在她任职董事会期间, 华纳 has been involved in major progress and expansion of the college facilities and programs. She spoke particularly of the college's "tremendous accomplishments" in establishing 李早期学院 in 2006 and the Confucius Classroom in 2009.

Among its other achievements during her time on the board, the college greatly increased its physical facilities, including opening its Emergency 服务 Training Center in 2001, more than doubling the size of its Lee County Campus in 2006, 2008年开设了西哈尼特中心, and opening three LEED-certified buildings in Chatham County in 2010.

华纳 praised the presidents, past and present, of the college for their leadership.

"Each has been unique in his own way - each gave great gifts," she said. "We've had some good visionaries - that's what made the college what it is. Our college is such a crown jewel; it has done wonderful things for the area. I think it will go on to be tops in North Carolina. I say to young people, visit 推荐正规买球平台 before making a decision on higher education. 你会对所提供的东西感到惊讶."

至于她未来的计划, 她没有做过, 但沃纳说着，眼睛里闪着光, “你知道, 我的车牌上写着, “RDY2GO."