Contributed

Rick Smith, dean of advancement for Sandhills Community College, has received the North Carolina Council on Resource Development (NCCORD) Distinguished Service award.

It was presented at the organization's annual conference in Asheville on Sept. 26-28.

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes those who have served the organization and the cause of resource development for North Carolina community colleges for many years, a news release said.

"Rick's commitment to the mission of the community college goes beyond his service to Sandhills," said Daphne Lewis, 2011-2012 NCCORD president. "Rick has been unfailing in his support of his peers and assisting others with the improvement of their development programs, and we are so proud of his involvement with CORD over the years."

Smith has worked within the North Carolina community college system since 1995, when he began as the director of planned giving at Sandhills Community College. Smith has more than 25 years of experience in development.

He received his bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and his master's degree in institutional development from Boston University.

Smith is active in the NCCORD organization and served on the board of directors from 2009 through 2011.

In a joint nomination for the award, staff of Sandhills Community College and Mort Congleton, with Wake Technical Community College, said Smith is recognized as a development leader in the state, particularly in the area of planned giving programs.

"Rick Smith constantly shares what he knows," the award nomination stated. "He brings his commitment and his passion for philanthropy to everything he does. Rick is exactly the kind of person you want as a friend, colleague, mentor and teacher. Rick exemplifies excellence in resource development, and all of his colleagues look to him for his leadership, wisdom, and desire to make all of our community colleges the best in the country."