2011 Razor Walker Award Winners

Walker Taylor, III

Philanthropy

"Walker Taylor, III epitomizes an individual committed to supporting worthy initiatives in his community and his church."

Like his parents and grandparents, Walker Taylor, III was born and raised in Wilmington. He attended Tileston, Forest Hills, and New Hanover High School and then went to Davidson College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in English. In addition, he attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nautical Science. He received an honorary degree (Doctor of Canon Law) from Berkeley at Yale for his work in the Anglican Communion.

Walker Taylor, III has supported his community through his service, his leadership, and his philanthropic giving. He has shared his time, energy, and expertise with a variety of organizations, and has improved the lives of young persons in the Wilmington area. For his many contributions, Walker Taylor, III exemplifies the characteristics of vision and sacrifice expected of Razor Walker recipients.

Linda Rogers Harrill

Educational Administration

"Linda Harrill has served as a role model to thousands of kids, urging that if you believe in what you are doing, get the right people to support your vision and commit to stay the course through good times and bad, you willsucceed."

Linda Rogers Harrill was born and raised in southern Virginia on a tobacco farm. She attended Radford College where she received a teaching scholarship, and completed her student teaching in the Appalachian mountains of southwest Virginia. Ms. Harrill's teaching career began in Winston-Salem during the first year of court-ordered desegregation. She taught at an inner city school for four years and became interested in students with special needs, so she attended the Bowman Gray School of Medicine to study minimal brain dysfunction (now known as learning disabilities).

In her work with Communities in Schools (CIS), Ms. Harrill assists communities in developing local partnerships, designing and establishing programs, grant-writing and fundraising, and training of personnel. Ms. Harrill has helped to expand Communities in Schools to more than 450 school sites in more than 40 counties serving more than 139,000 young people.

In addition to her role with CIS, she has served on numerous other boards and councils including the National Mentoring Partnership Public Policy Board, the North Carolina Character Education Council, N.C. Family Literacy Commission, N.C. High School Reform Task Force, and the Advisory Council for 21st Century Learning Centers. She coordinates the North Carolina Mentoring Council and is the state contact for N.C. Promise (America's Promise in North Carolina).
Linda Rogers Harrill represents the true commitment of Razor Walker recipients to improving the lives of young people through her extensive efforts with students in the public schools of North Carolina.

Open House Emergency Youth Shelter of Coastal Horizons, Inc.

Public Service/Policy

"The Open House Youth Shelter has provided great services to youth in our community who have been victims of peril beyond their control."

The Open House Youth Shelter provides 24-hour access to temporary emergency shelter for runaway, homeless, street, displaced, abused and neglected youth ages 6 - 18. These young persons are provided with basic food, clothing, and shelter needs in a nine bed co-ed facility that is licensed through the NC Division of Social Services for Emergency Foster Care Placements. To access the services, individuals may be referred by the Department of Social Services, law enforcement, Juvenile Justice, school officials, as well as self or parent/guardian referrals, and they are eligible to stay for up to 90 days.

In addition to providing for basic needs, staff at the shelter also facilitate a bi-monthly teen girls' rape awareness and education session, and work with other agencies to provide substance abuse treatment and prevention. In addition, staff at the shelter work with the New Hanover County Gang Task Force on ways to identify youth at risk for gang activity and refer them to services for prevention and intervention.

The staff at the Open House Emergency Youth Shelter of Coastal Horizons, Inc. have "walked the razor's edge" to provide a life-saving service to needy youth who have no safe place to go. They are committed to addressing basic needs and shelter, but they also provide significant social and emotional counseling and education to assist these young people in overcoming very difficult situations.

Ronald K. Lingle

Educational Administration

"Ron Lingle stands out among the outstanding community college leaders as one who has made a real difference in providing educational opportunities and enriching the quality of life for thousands of citizens in our region and state."

Ronald K. Lingle grew up in Laurel, Mississippi where he began a stellar academic career pursuing his undergraduate degree at the University of Southern Mississippi including being recognized as a President's List Scholar, a summa cum laude graduate, and the recipient of the annual award for Outstanding Senior in Psychology. He went on to serve our country as a medical evacuation helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, earning numerous recognitions for his service and valor under fire. He exhibited the Razor Walker spirit of courage, tenacity and service even then under the most challenging circumstances. Following his service in the military he continued his studies and earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership in 1972 from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Dr. Lingle began his career as a community college administrator in 1972, serving in leadership roles in Missouri and Illinois. He became the second President of Coastal Community College in 1988 and has led the implementation of numerous innovations during these past 23 years. He has been an extraordinary leader who has established numerous outreach efforts, built partnerships and reached out to new constituencies through articulation agreements and technological applications. This included the establishment of the first two-way interactive, distance learning network in North Carolina, in partnership with UNCW, Bell South, JVC and Northern Telecom. Most recently, Dr. Lingle has helped to lead the establishment of an Education Lab at Coastal Community College which enables and supports teacher education candidates in the early tutoring of children in the region. The exemplary model program housed on UNCW's main campus now has its first extension site and these two sites have benefitted more than 350 children in Southeastern North Carolina over the past year.

Dr. Lingle's commitment to the highest standards of educational quality, the ultimate success of Coastal Community College students, and responsive, strategic partnerships has resulted in long-lasting positive benefits for children, adults, and the community as a whole. Dr. Lingle exemplifies a true Razor Walker through the breadth and scope of his educational contributions to the citizens of our state and for his innovative spirit and vision.

Special Thanks To:

Corporate Host

Dr. Heyward C. Bellamy, '02
Ms. Elizabeth Frasier, '05
Mr. Charles F. Green, III, '98
Mr. Ben Halterman, '95
Ms. Anna Hattaway, '95
Mr. Hugh MacRae, II '00
Ms. Tannis F. Nelson, '03
Mr. Vann Pennell, '10
Dr. Frank R. Reynolds, '04
Mr. James Wallace/Intracoastal Realty, '07
Dr. Eleanor B. Wright, '08

Previous honorees designated by the year in which they received the award