For Public Service, Communication Studies Staff Member Wins Statewide Award

For his work as a mentor, UNC Charlotte Communication Studies staff member David Landrum has received the 2014 North Carolina Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service. This award is the highest honor a state employee may receive.

“For eight years, he has quietly taken a half day each Friday to drive to a Gaston County School to mentor a young student,” said Africana Studies Professor Debra C. Smith, in her nomination of Landrum. Meanwhile, Landrum was battling kidney failure that led to daily dialysis and eventually a kidney transplant. Despite his significant health issues, his commitment to his mentee never wavered.

Gaston County School’s Counselor Chinatti Touré recruited Landrum years ago, believing that he would be a positive influence on his then-5-year-old mentee, who is now 13 years old. At the time Landrum started as a mentor, his mentee was in the process of being placed in foster care. He was later adopted. The mentee had developed behavioral, emotional, and learning difficulties, which resulted in him acting out at school.

Through the years, Landrum has assisted the student with his homework and ensured that the child has appropriate school supplies and clothes, including helping with the cost of the child’s fifth-grade field trip to the Outer Banks. Landrum also has spent time observing and encouraging his mentee in various classes such as math, science, English and social studies.

Landrum Helps Mentee Face Issues

While the academic support has been significant, the emotional support has been even more important, nominator Smith said. Landrum has spent the majority of his volunteer time providing his mentee an outlet to discuss various issues and concerns that he is facing. He has met with his mentee’s legal guardians and established himself almost as part of the family. The mentorship has extended beyond school hours, with Landrum having dinner with the family on holidays and attending the student’s youth football games.

In 2011, Landrum gave his mentee a tour of the university campus after the boy attended a UNC Charlotte women’s basketball game while on a fifth-grade field trip. In 2013, Landrum treated his mentee to his first collegiate football game at UNC Charlotte.

While Landrum devotes countless hours to his volunteerism, he faithfully completes his duties at UNC Charlotte, where he is known for his supportive nature, attention to detail and kind demeanor, Smith said.

Counselor Erin Stokes of Holbrook Middle School has recognized Landrum’s commitment to young people. Landrum is an unfailingly loyal and compassionate man who has demonstrated a genuine interest in the happiness and well-being of children, Stokes said. He is a consistent and positive influence for those who need it most, she said.

Landrum and fellow recipients will be honored on November 18 at a ceremony at the Museum of History in Raleigh Commduring Excellence in State Government Week. The awards are designed to acknowledge and express appreciation for outstanding accomplishments that do not fall entirely within the scope of normal duties, but are in the nature of a major contribution reflecting credit on the person and state service.  The meritorious service or accomplishment is so singularly outstanding that special recognition is justified. The public service category recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions by participating in or implementing community and public service projects.

Words: Kayla Kinard, CLAS Communications Office, Student Communications Assistant
Image: Courtesy of David Landrum