Kiwanis Builder's Cup Awarded to Dempsey

SCC President John Dempsey holds the Builder’s Cup

As of Saturday, February 18, 2012

John Dempsey typically spends Friday nights at Vito’s Ristorante and Pizzeria, so he had an inkling something might be up when he got a call from his good friend George Little a few weeks ago.

“He told me I really had to come to the Builder’s Cup banquet this year, and I said, ‘George, it’s Friday night. That’s Vito’s night,’” Dempsey said.

When Little, a close friend and chairman of the Sandhills Community College Board of Trustees, insisted that Dempsey attend the banquet, the president of SCC really became suspicious. His suspicions were confirmed when he received the 2011 Builder’s Cup.

The award was presented during the 77th Kiwanis Builder’s Cup Banquet at the Fordham Room at Belle Meade of St. Joseph of the Pines.

Each year, the name of the recipient is a closely guarded secret until it is announced.

Dempsey said he was honored and humbled to have his name associated with so many other community leaders who previously won the award.

“It’s like winning the Masters, getting your name on the trophy and then seeing Ben Hogan’s name,” Dempsey said.

The Builder’s Cup, which was first awarded in 1927, is presented to a Moore County resident “who by unselfish service without hope of personal gain has outstandingly contributed to the upbuilding of the Sandhills.”

Winners from the past decade include Elizabeth Liddell (2000), Mr. and Mrs. George Little (2001), Dr. and Mrs. John Monroe (2002), Harry Webb (2003), Robert E. Lee (2004), William Samuels (2005), Marshall Berg (2006), Linda Hubbard (2007), Charles Frock (2008), Lawrence (posthumously) and Olive Johnson (2009), and Mark Wethington (2010).

The Builder’s Cup is not necessarily given out each year, and the winner doesn’t have to be a member of Kiwanis. Hubbard chaired this year’s selection committee.

Jay St. John presented the award to Dempsey, calling him a “block of granite in the community.”

“Think of the lives John Dempsey has changed, the college he’s transformed and the community he’s helped shape,” St. John said.

St. John described Dempsey as a pragmatic optimist, who, as Bruce Springsteen sang, “When they built you brother, they broke the mold.”

Dempsey also loves politics, golf, Philadelphia Phillies baseball, the cities of New York and San Francisco, writers F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, and movies such as “Casablanca” and “The Godfather.”

Dempsey became president of SCC in 1989. During his tenure, SCC has experienced unprecedented growth that has made it one of the most respected community colleges in the country.

During his acceptance speech, Dempsey thanked his wife, Evelyn, for being “his best friend, and there is no second,” and Little for his role as a “guiding star.”

“I have made a lot of mistakes as president of Sandhills (Community College),” he said “and George has had my back for each and every one. I will never forget that.”

SCC was the first comprehensive community college in North Carolina to offer a college transfer program.

Dempsey is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, holds a master’s degree in government from the College of William and Mary, and a doctorate in political science from the University of Mas-sachusetts.

Dempsey and his wife have two sons and two grandchildren. He is active in community affairs, having chaired or served on numerous boards, including the Boys and Girls Club, the United Way and FirstHealth of the Carolinas.

Dempsey served as president of Belmont-Abbey College outside of Charlotte before coming to Sandhills to replace the retiring Raymond Stone, the school’s only other president and a past winner of the Builder’s Cup.

He has received numerous honors. He was named Man of the Year by the Moore County Community Foundation and received the Distinguished Service Award of the the Pinehurst Civic Group. In 2004, Dempsey was the inaugural recipient of the United Way of Moore County’s Cornerstone Award.

Contact Tom Embrey at tembrey@thepilot.com.

More like this story

justmyopinion 1 year, 3 months ago

What exactly did Mr Dempsey do to deserve this award?

Bflat 1 year, 3 months ago

The article talks quite a bit about George Little. There are lots of people in the community that do things without expectation of ever receiving any award. I know several that probably have a list of accomplishments 2 or more pages long representing over 25 years of community service in everything from scouts, united way, church, fundraisers, chamber, various committees, and on and on. The list of recipients are well known names in the community. As said there are plenty that get no recognition for anything that are overlooked, probably because they stay in the background and don't fit into "society" as some do with their positions.

difflook 1 year, 3 months ago

Dr. Dempsey has quietly, without fanfare, brougth Sandhills Community College to be one of the most prestigous Community Colleges in the Nation. Consider that through him and the foundation that they were #8 in the Nation last year in private fundraising. Some of the ones above them were in Florida that had enrollments of over 20,000, while SCC has around 4,000. Funds which allow single parents access to attend school so their children can be cared for, funds so that individuals who otherwise would not be able to attend. NO< not for salaries, not for him self, but for the School, community and its people. John Dempsey is a one of a kind person. He is, ( and go visit and talk to him for your self) a man who has the unique ability to relate to and talk to all people, all races and have respect for all views. He is certainly deserving of this award. He serves without political pressure, he is a people person. He has devoted the last 20 years here, even though he could have easily gone to a larger and higher paying place. Thank you John Dempsey.

Bflat 1 year, 3 months ago

Dr Raymond Stone laid the groundwork for much of the funds and the benefactors of the college many years before Dempsey ever appeared. Dempsey simply continued what had been started.

RmeMP 1 year, 3 months ago

Congrats Mr. Dempsey, well deserved :)

justmyopinion 1 year, 3 months ago

RmeMP-- You and I agree on almost everything. I am truly not trying to disrespect Mr Dempsey. Hoever, I am trying to determine what exactly it did for people to say "well deserved."

RmeMP 1 year, 3 months ago

Justmyopinion:

It's ok that we disagree, people with differing views on social issues will never see eye to eye. The reason I approve of Dr. Dempsey is because of what SCC has become with him at the helm. I assure you, there are countless students, young and old, that he has helped over there, that would attest to his genuine care for the students and that facility.

justmyopinion 1 year, 3 months ago

I agree with some of that RmeMP but isn't that his job? Difflook stated that he did all this without regard for salary or personal gain. Hogwash! If he were over there working for free or not receiving free housing, I might think more of this. As of now and coupled with the fact that I was born and raised here, there are many more far more deserving folks that volunteer their time after work and weekends helping out the true community not just the SCC population. And not just for the past 20 years but a life time.

I still think it's merely political theatrics... there are other terms but I will refrain from using them in a public forum.

RmeMP 1 year, 3 months ago

It appears we DO agree with some things :)

Do I believe a little politics were involved? Sure I do - seems like they are involved in everything these days. Does Dr. Dempsey get paid handsomely for his work? I'm sure he does. Are there other citizens in this county who have donated more time and energy towards.helping the Sandhills? I'm sure there are.

That said, I am simply saying that I have no problem with this selection. Yes, its his job to head SCC, but he goes wayyy out of his way to go above and beyond what is expected of him to simply do a job.

justmyopinion 1 year, 3 months ago

Trike Sissy- It takes someone really stupid to find my question "dark spirited." Why is it that RmeMP knew exactly what I was asking and exactly what I was getting at. Oh, that's right...because he can think with intelligence. And Trike Sissy has the nerve to call someone else a moron.