Contributed

Decades of work set forth by former Gov. James E. Holshouser Jr. in the area of education recently led the Hunt Institute to rename one of its signature events the North Carolina Legisla-tors Retreat (NCLR) in his honor.

The announcement of the Gov. Jim Holshouser Legislators Retreat came during the 10th annual retreat, a news release said.

“The purpose of this retreat is really a testament to the way Gov. Holshouser worked to reinforce the importance of education in our state,” said former Gov. Jim Hunt, who served as lieutenant governor during Holshouser’s administration from 1973-1977. “He brought all sides together to provide quality education for all students, and we will continue to instill that same passion, energy and tireless dedication in our legislators for years to come.”

As governor, Holshouser presided over the consolidation of all the state’s senior colleges and universities into the University of North Carolina System, spearheaded capital improvement funding for the N.C. Community College System, and implemented statewide enrollment for kindergarten.

During his term, he was also elected chairman of the Southern Regional Education Board. In 1979, he was elected to the UNC Board of Governors, was re-elected to a second term in 1987, and continues to serve as an emeritus member.

Holshouser has also served on the board of the N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching, the Southern Regional Literacy Commission, the Governor’s Commission on Literacy, the board of trustees of Davidson College and St. Andrews Presbyterian College, and the board of advisers for Lees McRae College.

He was chairman of the successful $50 million capital fundraising campaign for Davidson College and played a significant leadership role in the approval of the 2000 Higher Education Improvement Bonds, which secured the support of all 100 counties in the state.

A native of Watauga County, Holshouser graduated from Davidson College and the University of North Carolina School of Law, where he was president of his senior class. Prior to taking office as governor, Holshouser served four terms in the N.C. House of Representatives. He is a practicing attorney, with offices in Pinehurst and Raleigh.

Established by the UNC Board of Governors in 2001 to honor the legacy of Hunt, the Hunt Institute works with leaders to secure America’s future through quality education. The institute connects leaders with the best strategies for developing and implementing policies and programs to improve education.

An affiliated center of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Hunt Institute is a nonpartisan, nonprofit entity that does not lobby for, or take positions on, state and federal legislation.