Two BCCC students receive Wilkinson/Archbell Scholarships

Two Beaufort County Community College students received scholarships awarded from an endowment created by a gift from the trust of Beaufort County lawyer John A. Wilkinson. Chosen for the award were Melburn Frank Kelly and Blake Paszt.

Kelly, 46, of Belhaven, is a student in BCCC’s Mechanical Drafting and Design Program. A graduate of Bath High School, Kelly plans to get a job in his field after completing his studies at BCCC. He has one daughter.

“I want to share my sincere thanks and gratitude for this scholarship,” he said. “It will go a long way towards helping me reach my goal,”

Paszt, 18, of Pinetown, is a student in BCCC’s Electrical Engineering Program. He is a graduate of Northside High School and plans to continue his education after completing his studies at BCCC. He is the son of Deborah and Richard Paszt of Pinetown.

“Thank you for choosing me for this scholarship,” he said. “This is truly a gift.”

The endowment was established by a gift from the John A. Wilkinson Foundation, which also made substantial gifts to other charities, including the George H. and Laura E. Brown Library, following Wilkinson’s death in 2001.

Wilkinson, a Beaufort County native, practiced law in the county for over 60 years. He served in the law firms of Ward and Wilkinson, Wilkinson and Vosburgh, and Wilkinson and Rader before retiring in 1995. He also served as president of the Second District Judicial Bar Association.

Wilkinson was active in civic and political affairs in Beaufort County and North Carolina throughout his life.

A U.S. Army veteran who served in World War II, Wilkinson was a member of American Legion Post 15 and a member of the Washington Masonic Lodge #675 A.F. & A.M.

He was a delegate for 40 years to the Republican National Convention and served on the National Republican Committee in 1983 to 1984, among other party positions. He was a candidate for the N.C. House of Representatives in 1966, 1980 and 1982. In 1988, Wilkinson was inducted into the N.C. Republican Party Hall of Fame.

Under guidelines established by the college and foundation representatives, the gift will be invested with a portion of its earnings to be used to fund scholarships and faculty and staff awards that promote excellence in education.