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Northeast board pays tribute to Davies

Northeast board pays tribute to Davies

NORFOLK, NE – John W. Davies highly valued his position as a member of the Northeast Community College Board of Governors, but there was one activity he especially enjoyed at monthly meetings.

“One thing John loved to do when he was board chairman was to hear the gavel calling the meeting to order,” said Dr. Michael Chipps, Northeast president. “It is with deep regret that we lost our friend, colleague, and board member earlier this year. However, the Board of Governors wished to honor John at every meeting and what better way to do so than with a gavel set inscribed with his name.”

The inscription reads In remembrance of John W. Davies, Board of Governors – 2009-2016.’

Davies, Pilger, died earlier this year after a lengthy illness. He was 60. A longtime physician’s assistant in the Norfolk area, Davies had a passionate interest in public service; a path that led him to his time as a member of the Northeast board of governors. He was first elected to the At-Large position on the board in November, 2008, and was re-elected in 2012.

Chipps said Davies was a tremendous voice for higher education and community colleges in particular.

“John was a dedicated and outstanding member of our board, where he brought his insightful thoughts about education to each meeting. However, his commitment didn’t stop with Northeast. He also played a major role at the national level with the Association of Community College Trustees.”

During his tenure, Davies was recognized on the state and national level.

In 2014, he earned the Nebraska Community College Association’s Governor’s Award – presented to one member of a community college board in the State of Nebraska. A year later, he traveled to San Diego to be recognized as one of five finalists for the Association of Community College Trustees 2015 Leadership Award. He was joined by trustees from community colleges in California, New Jersey, North Carolina and Ohio.

Davies was also named to the 2014 class of the Northeast Community College Alumni Hall of Success.   

When Davies served as board chairman in 2014, he declared it the “Year of the Student Success” at Northeast – a time to highlight the work of the student body inside and outside of the classroom.    

Chipps said Davies understood the role community colleges play in higher education. After serving in the military and then 15 years in the manufacturing industry, he went to college, starting at Northeast, to pursue a degree in the medical profession.

Davies’ relationship with Northeast Community College went back to his days working at Nucor Steel in Norfolk. It was an idea of his that created a system where shift workers at Nucor could take classes through Northeast at times when it was most convenient for them.

“Because he saw the need and the desire of his fellow employees, the program was launched with great success due to his visionary leadership,” Chipps said. “He was invaluable to Northeast Community College and we are truly grateful his service to the College.”

Members of Davies’ family were present for Thursday’s dedication. They included his wife, Diane, and three children, Matt Davies, Paul Davies, and Jessica Borgelt, who were presented a replica gavel set with the inscription.


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         PHOTO CUTLINE

 

Diane Davies speaks with Dr. Michael Chipps, president of Northeast Community College, after she and her family were presented a gavel set that is inscribed with the name of her husband, John W. Davies, a former longtime member of the Board of Governors’ at Northeast Community College. The gavel, to be used at future board meetings, is a tribute to Davies, who passed away earlier this year.