Governor McCrory Accepting Nominations for the John R. Larkins Award | Eastern NC Now

    Raleigh, N.C. - Governor Pat McCrory is encouraging citizens to nominate state employees for the prestigious John R. Larkins award. The award is named after Dr. John Rodman Larkins to honor his legacy and to recognize his pioneering race relations work in state government.

    "The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day program would not be complete without the presentation of the John R. Larkins award," Governor McCrory said. "The award serves not only to honor some of our best and most valuable state employees, but also to keep alive the legacy of Dr. Larkins' pioneering work and groundbreaking contributions to our state."

    Larkins was born December 24, 1913 in Wilmington, where he attended public school and graduated from Williston High School. Under the National Youth Administration Program, Larkins attended Shaw University, where he earned a B.A. in sociology. He later earned his M.A. at Atlanta University's School of Social Work and completed his doctorate at Columbia University School of Social Work.

    Larkins worked paving roads and in the garment industry in New York City. He was a welfare worker in Warren County and, in 1942, became a consultant for the North Carolina Department of Public Welfare (later named the Department of Human Resources), a position he held until 1962, when he became the coordinator of the Department. From 1963 to 1973, he served as associate director of the State Probation Commission; as the director of youth development at the Department of Corrections from 1973-74; and was appointed special assistant to the governor for minority affairs in 1977, serving until his death in 1980.

    He was the author of several articles that explore race, community, leadership and sociology. He taught part-time at St. Augustine's College and Shaw University, served on several sociological associations, and received numerous honors for his contributions to our state and nation through human and race relations and the understanding of sociology. Larkins' legacy in North Carolina is one of hope, trust, hard work and dedication. He believed in his fellow man and worked to improve the lives of others.

    The Larkins Award was established in 1998 and is presented annually at the North Carolina State Employees Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance Program. This year, the Award will honor a state employee who exemplifies the same virtues that made Larkins stand out at work and in the community, and who has made an impact on the lives of others.

    For nominations, please include:

• A narrative describing how an action or event by the nominee improved human and race relations at work or in the community.
• The nominator's relationship to nominee.
• Supporting documents from colleagues, community leaders, etc.
• Nominations are due November 15, 2014.

    Nominations are due November 15, 2014. Click here to submit your nomination.