Ballards' service and leadership celebrated | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: This post was created by a contributor to ECU News Services.

    The 12 years of service and leadership of Chancellor Steve and Nancy Ballard were celebrated - and roasted a little - during a dinner May 11 at the Murphy Center on East Carolina University's campus.

    During the evening's events, the chancellor received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, conferred by the governor to persons for exemplary service to the state of North Carolina and their communities. UNC Board of Governors members Bob Rippy and Craig Souza presented the award.

    Members of the Board of Trustees honored Ballard by presenting him with the Chancellor Emeritus designation and three board members, current and former, spoke of Ballard's leadership and integrity in deliberating decisions affecting the university.

Chancellor Steve Ballard, far right, watches as his wife Nancy, son Nate and daughter Laine unveil his official portrait at a celebration of his leadership. The portrait was painted by Sergei Chernikov and will hang in Wright Auditorium. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)
    Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Chris Dyba announced the endowment of the Nathan Greg Ballard Scholarship. Nate is the son of Steve and Nancy Ballard; their daughter Laine, who lives in California, was also at the event. The scholarship fund was created as a way for individuals to show their gratitude to the Ballards for their service to university and the Greenville community, according to Dyba. The first scholarship award will be presented for the fall semester 2017.

    Several dozen friends and family members have contributed more than $35,000 to the scholarship fund thus far, said Dyba.

    The Chancellor's Executive Council, which is made up of vice chancellors and other senior administrators, had a little fun with Ballard, giving him an ECU chair, in which he promptly sat down. Then Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Virginia Hardy presented Ballard with the first James R. Talton Leadership Impact Award.

    "The award recognizes demonstrated leadership through positive contributions, dependable action and consistent hard work, leaving a lasting impact on East Carolina University," said Hardy.

    Former ECU administrators Austin Bunch and Marilyn Sheerer, now provost at UNC-Wilmington, did not pass on the opportunity to come back to campus and have a little fun telling stories from their days working for Chancellor Ballard.

    Finally, at the end of the evening, Ballard watched as his family unveiled his portrait. Painted by Milwaukee artist Sergei Chernikov with the J.Daniel Portraiture & Fine Art gallery in Raleigh, the portrait will in hang in Wright Auditorium alongside those of former chancellors Leo Jenkins and Richard Eakin.