Virginia Uldrick, South Carolina Governor's Schools

Text from the Bestowal Ceremony
Fargo, North Dakota
October 10, 2003

The Inaugural Jim Bray and Lillian Press Distinguished Service Award is awarded to Virginia Uldrick on this tenth day of October, 2003, at the Biennial Retreat of the National Conference of Governor's Schools in Fargo, North Dakota. The Jim Bray and Lillian Press Distinguished Service Award recognizes lengthy, devoted, and extraordinary efforts on behalf of gifted education, governor's schools, and the National Conference of Governor's Schools in local, regional, and national arenas. It is awarded on the occasion of Virginia Uldrick's 2003 retirement as President of the South Carolina Governor's School for Arts and Humanities.

The Jim Bray and Lillian Press Distinguished Services Award bears the names of two dedicated founders of the National Conference of Governor's Schools. They represent the loftiest achievements in the early development of governor's schools: namely, the establishment of the first governor's school in 1963 and the incorporation of the National Conference of Governor's Schools in 1988. At the request of the Executive Committee of the National Conference of Governor's Schools, both Jim and Lillian graciously lent their names to this service award, understanding the Executive Committee's desire to recognize their service to the national governor's school community. Each also expressed gratitude and humility at being recognized in this perpetual manner, and each lauded the exceptional appropriateness of honoring Virginia Uldrick as the award's first recipient.

The Jim Bray and Lillian Press Distinguished Service Award was established as an occasional award to be bestowed only on those individuals who have distinguished themselves over many years in their committed work on behalf of gifted students, governor's schools, and the National Conference of Governor's Schools. The Executive Committee of the National Conference of Governor's Schools bestows this award only when merited, not as an annual or regularly scheduled bestowal. The award is intended to represent the highest possible achievement in the National Conference of Governor's Schools.

In addition to receiving a plaque, each recipient of The Jim Bray and Lillian Press Distinguished Service Award receives Emeritus standing on the Board of Directors of the National Conference of Governor's Schools. Upon accepting the award at the Biennial Retreat or Conference, a letter of congratulations will be dispatched to the governor of the recipient's state under official National Conference of Governor's School letterhead, signed by the current president. In addition, the following notation is inscribed in the minutes of the organization, to be maintained in perpetuity:

The Jim Bray and Lillian Press Distinguished Service Award is awarded to (recipient's name) on this (date) day of (month), (year), at the (conference or retreat) of the National Conference of Governor's Schools in (location of conference or retreat). The Jim Bray and Lillian Press Distinguished Service Award recognizes (recipient's) lengthy, devoted, and extraordinary efforts on behalf of gifted education, governor's schools, and the National Conference of Governor's Schools in local, regional, and national arenas. It is awarded on the occasion of (statement of the occasion or event that warrants the award).

​Virginia Uldrick