SANFORD - Dr. J.F. "Jeff" Hockaday, president of Central Carolina Community College from 1969 to 1983, has been recognized as the latest recipient of the I.E. Ready Award, the highest honor bestowed by the State Board of Community Colleges.

The award recognizes significant statewide contributions to the establishment, development, or enhancement of the North Carolina Community College System. This award was established by the State Board on Oct. 10, 1985, as an honorary award and was re-named for the first System President on April 9, 1987.

The award was presented on Monday, June 12, at CCCC's Bell Welcome Center.

"This is an exciting occasion," said CCCC President Dr. T. Eston Marchant. "I can tell you from knowing him personally what a fine individual he is."

Dr. Donny Hunter, President and CEO of the N.C. Association of Community College Trustees, said of Dr. Hockaday, "Jeff Hockaday is a jewel. He's a jewel for this state. He's been great for this community college system. He fits the award perfectly."

Dr. James C. Williamson, President of the North Carolina Community College System, presented the award to Dr. Hockaday. "Dr. Hockaday's life is the personification of the life that Dr. Ready also led, professionally and personally. And so, it is my distinct honor today to present to Dr. Jeff Hockaday the 2017 I.E. Ready Award."

Dr. Hockaday thanked those attending the award reception. "I have a lot of lucky days. This is one of them. And I am pleased that you guys are here to enjoy it with me. Thank you for coming," he said.

"Community colleges are real special. It's a piece of education that made a promise that we'd improve the marketplace," said Dr. Hockaday.

Dr. Hockaday was serving as superintendent of Sanford City Schools when he was hired as the college's second president in 1969. When he first came to Central Carolina Technical Institute, curriculum enrollment was 330. Stacy Budd, the board of trustees' chairman, gave him a directive: Grow the college.

In 1970, CCTI became the first institution in the North Carolina Community College System to be accredited by the NCCCS and the State Board of Education.

That same year, CCTI signed an agreement with Campbell College, now Campbell University, for Campbell to offer college transfer courses at the Institute. This was the first such agreement in the state between a technical institute and a private college.

In 1979, the institute's name was changed to Central Carolina Technical College and, in 1988, to Central Carolina Community College.

While CCTI president, Dr. Hockaday served as chairman of the Economic Development Committee in Lee County. For his work, the state Economic Development Division selected him as the "1978 Industrial Volunteer of the Year." In 1981, The Sanford Herald chose him as its "Citizen of the Year."

CCTI expanded its presence in Chatham and Harnett counties under Dr. Hockaday. Some classes had been offered in Chatham since 1964 at several locations. In 1977, the Institute began offering courses at the Paul Braxton School facility in Siler City.

The Institute had been providing adult education and vocational classes at various locations in Harnett since 1965. In 1982, the Harnett County Board of Commissioners purchased land in Lillington for an industrial education center to be run by CCTC. Dr. Hockaday accepted the bids for the new facility in 1983, but it was not completed and opened for classes until 1985.

When Dr. Hockaday left CCTC in 1983, he had a long list of achievements. Among them:

* Curriculum enrollment had grown more than 10-fold, from 330 to 3,623. Enrollment in extension (continuing education) classes had more than tripled, from 4,486 to 14,718.

* Twenty-four new curriculum programs had been added to the college's offerings, including unique programs such as banking and finance, industrial management, teacher associate: reading, vocational instructor, paralegal, radio broadcasting, telephone technician, and motorcycle mechanics.

* Five new buildings had been constructed on the Lee Main Campus, including the Administration Building. In 2007, that building was renamed J.F. Hockaday Hall in recognition of his years of service, commitment, and accomplishments at the college.

Dr. Hockaday grew up in Johnston County and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1946-48. He received his bachelor's degree in 1951 from Barton College and his master's degree from East Carolina University in 1958.

He was principal of a high school in Warrenton and then served as principal of Sanford Central High School from 1961-64. In 1964, he became superintendent of Sanford City Schools and served until 1969, when he accepted the presidency of CCTI. He earned his Doctorate in Education from Duke University in 1978.

After serving at CCCC, Dr. Hockaday went on to become chancellor of the Virginia Community College System from 1983 to 1990. He then served as chancellor of Pima Community College District, in Arizona, from 1990 to 1995. That was the sixth largest community college district in the nation, with five colleges and 67,000 students.

In 1995, the National Association of Community College Trustees selected him as the Community College President of the Year in the United States. In 2002, the American Association of Community Colleges awarded him its coveted Leadership Award.

For more information on Central Carolina Community College, visit the website www.cccc.edu.