Sam Burgess ’78 received the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine in February for his service as a local government employee and his contributions to his community.
By Oliver Fischer ’20
Sam Burgess ’79 doesn’t like to call attention to himself. For the past 34 years, he has served his community in Wilmington, North Carolina, as a New Hanover County senior planner and as a volunteer with several organizations.
So when he found out in December that he was being nominated for the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, considered among the most prestigious awards given out by the governor of North Carolina, he provided biographical information without thinking much about it. When he learned in February that he had been selected, Burgess felt grateful for the recognition. “I’m extremely flattered just knowing that there is only a select group of individuals that are actually tapped to this award each year by the governor’s office,” he says. “I just feel very proud and honored to accept the award.”
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine was created in 1963 and honors persons who have a proven record of service to the State of North Carolina or some other special achievement, and to others as a gesture of friendship and good will. In his Wilmington community, Burgess has been active in the Boy Scouts program as a troop scoutmaster. He is also a member of the State Employees’ Credit Union Board, an active church member at Winter Park Presbyterian Church and a member of the Terry Benjey Bicycling Foundation.
In 2018 he was recognized by the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners with a Five Star Award, the highest staff award that recognizes employees who share the county’s values of professionalism, integrity, innovation, stewardship and accountability.
While Burgess’ contributions stand out in their own right, fellow alumnus and Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity brother Perry Warren ’77 says Burgess is not looking for attention. “Sam Burgess is the quiet guy at the back that gets everything done,” he says. “He doesn’t look for any recognition.”