WCU Chancellor Belcher to receive Excellence in Public Service Award

June 11, 2018

At our Annual Meeting June 27th, the Asheville Chamber honors business and community leaders with our annual leadership awards. David Belcher, Chancellor of Western Carolina University from July 2011 to Dec. 2017, will be honored with the Excellence in Public Service Award (presented by First Bank) for his contributions and commitment to the people of our region. Awards will also be given to Volunteer of the Year (presented by Roberts & Stevens), Small Business Leader of the Year (presented by HomeTrust Bank) and Family Business of the Year (presented by UNC Asheville Family Business Forum.)

The Excellence in Public Service Award, sponsored by First Bank, recognizes an individual for their outstanding contribution to the community through involvement, service or motivation to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Buncombe County. Recent past recipients include David Gantt, Karen Cragnolin, Jan Davis and Lavoy Spooner.

“It is an honor to recognize David for his spirit of collaboration and desire to have the higher education institutions work together on behalf of the people in this area,” said Kit Cramer, president and CEO of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.

David O. Belcher assumed the role of chancellor of Western Carolina University on July 1, 2011. Under Dr. Belcher’s leadership, the university realized many of the initiatives of a strategic plan spearheaded by Belcher during his first year. Among the highlights, WCU has seen steady increases in enrollment, consolidated and expanded Buncombe County graduate and undergraduate programs at the Biltmore Park site, added more than 190 endowed scholarships and revised the university’s campus master plan to guide development and improvements. Active in civic life, Dr. Belcher served on the boards of directors of the North Carolina Arboretum and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. Belcher went on medical leave at the end of 2017. Alison Morrison-Shetlar, WCU provost, has been serving as acting chancellor since Jan. 1st and the university’s board of trustees endorsed a slate of three finalists on June 1st with a goal of having a new chancellor on board by mid-August. (https://news-prod.wcu.edu/2018/06/trustees-endorse-3-finalists-for-wcus-next-chancellor/)

Annual Meeting Details

The 2018 Annual Meeting, presented by sponsors The Van Winkle Law Firm and Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, will be held June 27th at the Omni Grove Park Inn. Doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner and presentation at 5:45 p.m. Tickets are $90 for Chamber members, $110 for non-members. A table for 8 guests can be reserved at $680. Tickets available at http://web.ashevillechamber.org/events/2018-Annual-Meeting-5030/details