Executive Director of the Morehead-Cain Foundation Charles Lovelace Jr. received one of North Carolina’s top honors this past weekend.

Governor Roy Cooper presented Lovelace the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award during a virtual ceremony on Friday. The highest honor for state service be given by the governor, the award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to North Carolina through major accomplishments.

The Morehead-Cain Foundation is known for its merit-based scholarship program for undergraduate students attending UNC. Lovelace joined the organization in 1984, initially serving as the scholarship program’s treasurer before becoming the executive director three years later. During that time, he has mentored and aided more than 2,000 Morehead-Cain scholars and supported hundreds of alumni.

“Chuck’s vision and stewardship of the Morehead-Cain Program has helped many students grow into leaders and live impactful and purposeful lives,” said Cooper, who graduated from the UNC as a Morehead-Cain scholar. “I’m proud to induct Chuck into our state’s highest honorary society, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, in recognition of his commitment to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and to the state of North Carolina.”

In the same release as this announcement, the Morehead-Cain Foundation also revealed more news about Lovelace: he will retire from the organization next summer. According to the release, his successor as executive director will be announced to the public on January 12, 2021.

Morehead-Cain Associate Director and Director of Alumni Engagement Megan Mazzocchi said in the release Lovelace will be leaving the foundation with it “positioned well for a bright future.”

“The Morehead-Cain Foundation has never been stronger or more successful than it is now,” she said. “Much of that success can be attributed to the incredible commitment of time, energy, wisdom, and hard work of Charles E. Lovelace, Jr.”

More information about the Order of the Long Leaf Pine can be found on the organization’s website.

Photo via the Morehead-Cain Foundation.

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