William L. Turner Award

The William L. Turner Award for Outstanding Contributions to Extension and Continuing Education recognizes and memorializes the distinguished leadership of William Turner and his dedication to the land grant mission of NC State University. Dr. Turner, former professor of economics and vice chancellor for extension and public service, had an illustrious professional career spanning from August 1948 through December 1989. As a result of his efforts locally as well as nationally, the role and value of continuing higher education was elevated, leading to the creation and adoption of the Continuing Education Unit (CEU) as a universal quality standard.

This annual recognition is awarded to an individual whose significant contributions and accomplishments have enhanced and reinforced extension and continuing education as being an integral component of engagement at NC State in responding to the educational needs of the various stakeholders served or in the application of research to real-life issues and problems.

One award will be presented annually at the spring NC State Outreach and Engagement Awards Celebration and Reception.

Qualifying Characteristics

Nominees will have been active partners with one or more McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing Education units in the successful development and delivery of course or services that effectively and efficiently meet the needs of a diverse constituent base. Faculty and staff (active or retired), community leaders, as well as public and private sector professionals are eligible for nomination. Among the qualifying characteristics considered in the nomination process are:

• Exemplifies the spirit of service thereby enhancing NC State’s commitment to public engagement
• Provides distinguished leadership in the creative and innovative development, implementation and evaluation of lifelong learning course.
• Improves the quality of life for North Carolina’s citizens through the application of NC State University’s knowledge and technical resources.
• Contributes to the “scholarship of engagement” through juried publications and invited presentations.
• Utilizes state-of-the-art techniques and customer-sensitive approaches that maximized awareness of and access to outreach/extension initiatives.
• Influences the establishment or refinement of public policy that addressed issues of significance to McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing Education’s constituents and the University’s stakeholders in general.
• Extends the University to previously underserved citizens.
• Makes substantial, enduring contributions to community development and to the well-being of society.

MCE&CE personnel are not eligible.

Award Recipients