FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS GATHER TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND LASTING LEGACY OF A DEVOTED EDUCATOR, PUBLIC SERVANT, AND MENTOR
James Sprunt Community College welcomed family, friends and community leaders to campus on Saturday, August 29, for a ceremony dedicating the Memorial Bell Tower in honor of longtime educator, public servant and former JSCC trustee David Jordan.
Located at the heart of the JSCC campus, the tower now stands as a lasting tribute to Jordan’s extraordinary life of service to the college and Duplin County.
Jordan served the community in many capacities. He worked in the Duplin County Public School System for more than 30 years as a teacher and assistant principal at Wallace-Rose Hill High School before retiring as principal of Charity Middle School in Rose Hill. He also served as president of the Duplin County Principals and Assistant Principals Association.
His commitment to public service extended far beyond education. He served for 36 years as a Wallace Town Council member, including time as mayor pro tem. He was also a dedicated member of Adoram Baptist Church, the James Sprunt Community College Board of Trustees, and the Four Oaks Bank Advisory Board.
During the ceremony, Jordan’s daughter, Tanya Jordan, shared remarks honoring her father and reflected on the portrait displayed at the event.
“This picture is so my dad,” she said. “He was always smiling, and he is certainly smiling down on us today!”
JSCC Acting President Jeff Taylor welcomed those gathered to celebrate Jordan’s memory and legacy.
I am honored to be here to celebrate the legacy of Mr. Jordan,” Taylor said. “Mr. Jordan was someone who treated all people the same. As a new employee, he was always willing to come up and talk to you and make you feel welcome. He had that effect on all of us here today.”
Ed Emory, vice chair of the JSCC Board of Trustees, served as master of ceremonies and reflected on fond memories of traveling and serving alongside Jordan on the Board.
“We are all blessed to have known David and had him in our midst,” Emory said.
Duplin County Commissioner Wayne Branch also shared reflections about his special relationship with Jordan. The two attended church together for many years, became close friends, and developed a mentoring relationship.
This is a fitting tribute to a remarkable man,” Branch said. “Mr. Jordan was a man’s man. He was a fair man who believed in doing things the right way and by the book. He treated people the way he wanted to be treated. If there was anything he could do for a person, he would not withhold it. He was a man of great faith and a dedicated teacher and administrator for over 30 years.”
Bob Kornegay, who served alongside Jordan on the JSCC Board of Trustees, also spoke about Jordan’s devotion to the College and the region.
“David had a love for this College and the people of this region,” Kornegay said. “He mentored me when I first served on the JSCC Board. He was always kind and willing to have a conversation.”
To commemorate the occasion, the Jordan family was presented with a painting of the Memorial Bell Tower created by Art of Hope in Wallace. Following the ceremony, guests gathered in the Monk Auditorium for refreshments provided by Burney’s Sweets & More of Wallace.
Jordan is survived by his wife, Nancy McNiel Jordan, and his daughter, Tanya Jordan.
The David Jordan Memorial Bell Tower will stand as a permanent tribute to Jordan’s legacy and as a reminder of the positive impact one individual can make through a lifetime of dedicated service.
David Jordan, November 1, 1935 – March 22, 2011
Acting President Jeff Taylor reveals the David Jordan Memorial Bell Tower Plaque.
Board of Trustees, Debra Morrisey and Anita Powers present a special gift to the Jordan family.
