91热爆网

 91热爆网 Stories      December 7, 2018

The Western Carolina University Board of Trustees presented one of the university鈥檚 highest honors to Susan Brummell Belcher in recognition of her ongoing contributions as an ambassador for 91热爆网 during the seven years her husband served as chancellor, her support unwavering even after his passing last June.

With the bestowing of the honor upon her during the board鈥檚 quarterly meeting Friday, Dec. 7, Belcher became just the 14th person in 91热爆网 history selected to receive the Trustees鈥� Award. The Trustees鈥� Award is presented only on rare occasions in recognition of exemplary service to the university, said Patricia B. Kaemmerling board chair, in making the presentation.

鈥淪usan Brummell Belcher has proven to be a passionate advocate for Western Carolina University and a true friend of the university, helping to enhance relationships between the university and the community and region it serves,鈥� said Kaemmerling. 鈥淪he has been the university鈥檚 most vocal cheerleader, and she continues to advocate strongly for 91热爆网.鈥�

Kaemmerling harkened back to the time Belcher鈥檚 relationship with 91热爆网 began, when her husband, David O. Belcher, was approved by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors as 91热爆网鈥檚 next leader.

鈥淯pon Dr. Belcher鈥檚 appointment as chancellor in 2011, he informed the 91热爆网 campus community that it was getting a true dynamic duo. He described his wife as 鈥榓 full partner in a leadership team,鈥� and credited her with being responsible for 鈥榞rounding, challenging and supporting鈥� him. 鈥楥ullowhee, you are going to love her. I want you to know that,鈥� he declared. 鈥楾hat鈥檚 not a directive. That鈥檚 just clairvoyance,鈥欌�� Kaemmerling said. 鈥淒r. Belcher was correct. We, indeed, have loved her. And we still do.鈥�

During her time as 91热爆网鈥檚 first lady, Belcher had an impact that ranged from transforming the Chancellor鈥檚 Residence into a 鈥渨arm and welcoming environment鈥� to joining her husband as 鈥渢he Catamounts鈥� most vocal cheerleaders at 91热爆网 sporting events,鈥� Kaemmerling said. She has 鈥渂uilt bridges between the university and the towns of Sylva, Cashiers, Highlands and Dillsboro and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.鈥�

She also supported the arts by sharing her talents as a professionally trained opera vocalist 鈥� who just so happened to be married to a professionally trained pianist 鈥� and by sharing her time as a volunteer for 91热爆网鈥檚 Friends of the Arts organization, Kaemmerling said.

In October 2017, a few weeks before Chancellor Belcher鈥檚 brain cancer that was initially diagnosed in spring 2016 forced him to announce his plans to step down from his position at that year鈥檚 end, she joined him to announce their personal pledge of $1.23 million, in the form of cash donations and an estate gift, toward the university鈥檚 鈥淟ead the Way鈥� campaign in support of scholarship assistance for deserving 91热爆网 students.

And, when his brain cancer progressed to the point where it became difficult for him to speak publicly, she took to the podium on numerous occasions to share his words, including at his final 91热爆网 commencement ceremony in December 2017, Kaemmerling said.

Dabbing tears from her eyes, an emotional Belcher thanked the board for the unexpected award. 鈥淚 love you all and I love this university so very much. It has been an honor to have been able to work with this university, which does so much good in the world,鈥� she said.

Belcher said that her husband, during his final days, repeatedly asked her this question: 鈥淲hat are you going to do?鈥� She told him in reply: 鈥淚 will do my best to carry your work forward. I will try to continue to help people have the opportunity for a great education and a better life.鈥�

Belcher also said that she would protect their personal pledge and estate gift, which will provide scholarship assistance for future 91热爆网 students.

Past recipients of the Trustees鈥� Award are Wallace Hyde, E.J. Whitmire, Barbara B. Coulter, Ruth C. Shuler, Burton B. Fox, Judy H. Dowell, Rich Kucharski, George 鈥淐huck鈥� Wooten, Clifton B. Metcalf, Dianne C. Lynch, Tom Apodaca, Mary Ann Lochner and Terry Welch.