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In the photo above with Bladen Community College President, Dr. Amanda Lee and Director, Linda Burney are Patsy T. Priest, Lisa Priest Clark, James Byron (Jamie) Priest III and Kevin Lane Priest.

This summer, the James Byron “J.B.” Priest, Jr. Memorial Agricultural Endowed Scholarship was established at Bladen Community College by his family in Mr. Priest’s memory. Mr. Priest fought a long, courageous battle with cancer before his death in June. The scholarship will be awarded to a student who plans to pursue a degree in an agribusiness related field at Bladen Community College.

The Priest family has a long history with farming in Bladen County. Mr. Priest was very active in his community and church as well as the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department. “As a local farmer, my father recognized the importance of education and the importance of giving back to the community. To establish a scholarship in his name through the Bladen Community College Foundation was a wonderful way to continue that value of hard work and generosity. We couldn’t think of a better and more appropriate way to honor the memory of our father than to give to an institution that means so much to our community and entire family,” Lisa Priest Clark shared.

Bladen Community College President, Dr. Amanda Lee, remarked that “it has been an honor to get to know the Priest family in establishing this important scholarship at the college. We join with the Priest family in honoring Mr. Priest’s memory and his faithful service to the community and the advancement of farming. In addition, we thank the family for their continued support of education and especially Bladen Community College. Many students in the future will benefit from the generosity of the Priest family and others who wish to donate to the scholarship in his memory.”

Linda Burney, Director, of the Bladen Community College Foundation added “The Priest family’s impact in the community is evident by so many, who through honoring Mr. Priest’s memory and the establishment of an endowed scholarship, have donated to the Foundation in recognition of his community engagement, and dedication to helping others. To make contributions to the scholarship you may go online to the college website

at www.bladencc.edu/bcc-foundation/donate/ and designate the “J.B. Priest Agricultural Scholarship.” You may also mail your contributions to the Bladen Community College Foundation, P. O. Box 384, Dublin, NC 28332

For more information about the foundation or how to establish and endowment or annual scholarship, contact Linda Burney at 910.879.5519 or email her at lburney@bladencc.edu.

Bladen Community College is a member of the North Carolina Community College System, located in Dublin, NC in Bladen County. The college offers many programs to include two-year degrees, college transfer, continuing education and workforce development options, and early college education.

Pictured with Bladen Community College President, Dr. Amanda, and Director, Linda Burney are Patsy T. Priest, Lisa Priest Clark, James Byron (Jamie) Priest III, and Kevin Lane Priest.

The James Byron “J.B.” Priest, Jr. family established a memorial scholarship with the Bladen Community College Foundation for students who plan to pursue a degree in an agribusiness field. This scholarship will be awarded annually.