Wilson County Board of Education Member Wins Prestigious Award

Henry Mercer of the Wilson County Board of Education is the 2022-2023 recipient of the Raleigh Dingman Award for Outstanding Boardsmanship. To receive this esteemed award, which is given annually by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA), a board member must be peer-nominated by their local school board.

“Our 2022-23 Raleigh Dingman recipient has been described as a kind, humble, and caring individual with a wonderful sense of humor and humility,” said NCSBA Executive Director Leanne Winner during the announcement. Mercer, a former teacher and administrator, visits local schools weekly to let the students and staff know how much they are appreciated. He serves with passion and commitment, whether seated at the board table or volunteering to help students. Instilling the value of having an education is a message Mercer shares with students every chance available and he uses this passion and devotion to make a difference for the entire district. “I believe our Raleigh Dingman winner will now make a difference for children across the state,” said Winner.

The Raleigh Dingman Award is the highest honor bestowed on a North Carolina school board member. The award is named in honor of Dr. Raleigh Dingman, the Association’s first full-time executive director, and was first presented at the 1981 annual conference. In 2002 legislation was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly that provides for the Raleigh Dingman Award winner to serve as an ex officio advisor to the state board of education and to attend meetings and participate in deliberations of the state board. Mercer will serve in this capacity.