Randy Smith, president of the Rural Community College Alliance, stated that this national award is a way to honor the outstanding accomplishments and commitment of trustees who serve rural communities. “We are so pleased to honor Trustee DeLaMora as our National Trustee of the Year. Her commitment and service is a tremendous example to all of our rural colleges nationwide. I congratulate Trustee DeLaMora and Halifax Community College on their amazing accomplishments and the outstanding service they provide to all of their students, citizens and stakeholders. Halifax Community College is truly an example of an outstanding rural college and they should be very proud of their accomplishments and service.”
Said Griffin: “I am very excited and could not wait to tell her that she had won the Trustee of the Year Award from RCCA. I enthusiastically supported her nominations for the Rural Community College Alliance Trustee of the Year . She has served on the Halifax Community College Board of Trustees from January 31, 1995, to June 30, 2000, and from November 1, 2003 to August 25, 2015.”
From August 27, 2013 to August 25 she was chair of the Board of Trustees.
She made history when she became the first Native American to serve as chair of a community college board in North Carolina, which was confirmed by the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs.
Prior to serving as chair, DeLaMora was vice chair for three years with the HCC Board of Trustees.
After reading her nomination, “We were impressed by Trustee DeLaMora’s long-term commitment to the college and the community,” said Smith. “It is very rare to find this level of long-term service. Her dedication to the college, community and to the success of students is unprecedented and worthy of this national recognition.”
During her 17 years as a member of the Board of Trustees, she supported HCC in numerous ways. DeLaMora was instrumental in establishing the college's annual Native American Heritage celebration, which began in November 2009.
At the November 2013 Native American Heritage Month celebration, HCC received a proclamation from North Carolina Governor Pat McCory that recognized the celebration.
The proclamation was presented at the 2013 Native American Heritage program by Gregory Richardson, executive director of the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs on behalf of the governor. “I am excited and thank God for the many opportunities to serve my community,” DeLaMora said in the HCC news release.
DeLaMora will receive the Trustee of the Year Award at the annual meeting of the Rural Community College Alliance September 22-24 in Reno, Nevada.
