PRESS RELEASE

July 2007

 

Former students establish scholarship

to honor principal who made lasting impression

Kahdy is a legendary figure in the North Carolina education community

 

RALEIGH (July 2007) — A high school principal who made a positive and lasting impression on his students is being honored with a scholarship in his name. 

 

Alumni from William G. Enloe High School in Raleigh have established a scholarship endowment to honor George A. Kahdy, who served as the school’s founding principal in 1962.  Mr. Kahdy was a legendary figure in North Carolina education circles, serving as a special advisor to several N.C. governors and helping launch the N.C. School of Science and Math during his distinguished career.    

 

The effort to create the scholarship endowment is being spearheaded by Mr. Kahdy’s first students at Enloe.  A Founding Advisory Committee includes representatives from the school’s first five graduating classes (1964 to 1968) and William C. Friday, who serves as an honorary advisor.  The committee has already raised more than $30,000.

 

“We were privileged to have Mr. Kahdy open Enloe’s doors for the first time back in 1962.  This honor is long overdue for a humble and worthy man who has continued to touch the lives of his former students, and has touched the face of our great State with his lifelong dedication to advancing and promoting education,” said Kelli Moore Barham, chairman of the Founding Advisory Committee.  “The Kahdy Scholarship will allow us to always have a special way to remember one another through honorariums and memorials—a lasting gift in perpetuity.”

 

The group hopes to raise $50,000 by November 2007, when the endowment will be presented to Mr. Kahdy at a reunion of Enloe’s first graduating classes. 

 

The scholarship will recognize one member of Enloe High School’s graduating class who has demonstrated exceptional scholarship, service to the school and community, outstanding character and integrity, and involvement in school activities.  Financial need will be considered.  The first scholarship will be awarded in June 2008.

ABOUT GEORGE A. KAHDY

George Kahdy began his distinguished educational career as a teacher at Broughton High School in 1951.  After serving as principal at Thompson Elementary School (1954-1957) and Hugh Morson Jr. High School (1957-1962), he was chosen to serve as founding principal at Enloe High School in 1962.  He served as principal for five years before joining the administration of the Raleigh school system as an assistant superintendent (1966-1970).  He later served as North Carolina’s state director of special education (1970-1974) and the assistant state superintendent for North Carolina public schools (1974-1985).   

 

From 1985 to 1994, Mr. Kahdy was executive director of the N.C. Business Committee for Education.  This organization, comprised of North Carolina’s leading corporations and businesses, focused on the link between education and economic growth.  In this role, he worked with Gov. Jim Hunt and Gov. Jim Martin to improve public education in North Carolina.  His accomplishments include helping create the N.C. School of Science and Math.

 

TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION

The scholarship endowment is being managed by the N.C. Community Foundation.    All contributions are tax-deductible.

 

Checks should be made payable to: The George A. Kahdy Scholarship Endowment and sent to the N.C. Community Foundation, 4601 Six Forks Road, Suite 524, Raleigh, NC  27609.

 

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MEDIA INTERVIEWS

Mr. Kahdy and members of the Founding Advisory Committee are available to speak with the media upon request.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Kelli Moore Barham, Chairman

kellibarham@nc.rr.com

(919) 846-0331