ASU awards Hester scholarship

The Robert Hester Scholarship Endowment has paid off for a deserving student at Appalachian State University. Representatives from the ASU Local Government Alumni Association (ASULGAA) on Sept. 29, 2006, awarded the first Robert Hester Local Government Scholarship to Casey Harris of Wilkes County.

Former Bladen County commissioner and longtime NCACC employee Robert Hester (left) was on hand for Appalachian State University’s MPA Program Alumni Association Weekend, during which the inaugural Hester scholarship was presented to Casey Harris (second from left). Marvin K. Hoffman (second from right), director of the MPA Program, and Dr. Holly P. Hirst (right), associate dean of graduate studies, participated in the presentation. (Photo by Ed Wooters)

Harris earned her undergraduate degree at Elon University before enrolling in ASU’s Master of Public Administration Program. She served internships with the towns of Yadkinville and North Wilkesboro.

ASULGAA established the scholarship fund in 2005 and announced it would be awarded annually to an outstanding student in the local government training program at ASU. The university currently offers a bachelor’s degree in town and city/county management, as well as a master’s degree in public administration.

Serving as the NCACC’s director of member services since 1982 until his retirement as a full-time employee in 2004, Hester is a proven friend and advisor to many county managers across the state.

The NCACC donated $5,000 toward the endowment, and former state senator and Buncombe County Manager Steve Metcalf announced his company, The Metcalf Group, is funding the endowment with $15,000 over the next three years. The Metcalf Group provides governmental relations and development consulting for firms doing business with state and local government, public schools and public universities.

ASU welcomes contributions to the scholarship endowment. Make checks payable to Appalachian State University Foundation, Inc. Write “Robert Hester Local Government Scholarship” on the check’s memo line, and mail to: Appalachian State University Foundation Inc., Gift Processing Office – Attn: Kendra Duncan, ASU Box 32014, Boone, NC 28608-2014.

Contribute to the Robert Hester scholarship endowment at Appalachian State University

Since joining the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners as director of member services in 1982, Robert Hester has been a trusted confidant and friend to county managers across the state. Now, a handful of those county managers are asking their cohorts to help ensure Hester’s name will forever be associated with the management profession.

Members of the Appalachian State University Local Government Alumni Association (ASULGAA) have established a scholarship fund for deserving students in Hester’s honor at ASU. The ASU Foundation is setting up the fund, and the scholarship will be given annually to an outstanding student in the local government training program at ASU.

The NCACC has pledged $5,000 toward the endowment. The Metcalf Group, founded by former Buncombe County manager and state Sen. Steve Metcalf, has announced it will donate $15,000 over the next three years to the fund.

Longtime NCACC Director of Member Services Robert Hester throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Charlotte Knights home baseball game on Aug. 26.

“Robert Hester is one of those rare individuals who genuinely cares about managers as people as well as professionals,” said Moore County Manager Steve Wyatt, an ASU alum. “He’s also rare in that he understands the pressures involved in this sometimes no-win game that we play.

“He has always been there as an advisor and a mentor to me. He has unmatched credibility amongst people that serve in this profession. It is absolutely fitting that we honor him by endowing the scholarship in his name.”

The university offers a bachelor of science degree in town and city/county management, and a master’s in public administration.

NCACC Executive Director David F. Thompson, a former manager in Durham, Henderson, Stanly and Hertford counties, said Hester’s inside knowledge of the political climate in North Carolina’s 100 counties is unrivaled.

“Robert always knew before I did if there was a change in my job status,” Thompson joked. “In all seriousness, we hope county managers across the state will step up to the plate and contribute to the scholarship endowment.”

Checks for the scholarship endowment should be made payable to Appalachian State University Foundation, Inc. Write “Robert Hester Local Government Scholarship” on the check’s memo line, and mail to: Appalachian State University Foundation, Inc., Gift Processing Office – Attn: Kendra Duncan, ASU Box 32014, Boone, NC 28608-2014.

The managers announced the scholarship on Aug. 26, 2005, at the NCACC’s 98th Annual Conference. Hester was honored by more than 400 county officials and family members who turned out for “Robert Hester Night at the Ballpark” at a Charlotte Knights game. Hester, who served as a member of the Bladen County Board of Commissioners prior to joining the Association’s staff, received the “thrill of a lifetime” when he got to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game with the Norfolk Tides.

Metcalf is a 1973 graduate of ASU and a member of the ASULGAA. In addition to his three terms in the General Assembly, Metcalf served as an assistant to Gov. Jim Hunt, as deputy secretary of the N.C. Department of Administration and deputy secretary of the N.C. Department of Transportation. The Metcalf Group provides governmental relations and business development consulting for firms doing business with state government, local governments, public schools and public universities.