President Newkirk Honored with Mary L. Thomas Award

Converse College President Krista L. Newkirk was honored with the Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change alongside four local female leaders on Saturday, December 5, 2020 during a virtual ceremony which was streamed live from the Robert Hett Chapman III Center for Philanthropy on the campus of The Spartanburg County Foundation.

Newkirk was honored with the ‘Courage’ Mary L. Thomas Award for her exemplary civic participation and contribution to positive change in the community. The annual award honors local leaders who make significant impacts on Spartanburg County through innovation, community leadership, and civic participation. Each of the five recipients was selected for the following criteria:

Innovation Identifying innovative solutions and implementing new ideas that successfully address critical issues facing the Spartanburg community.

Community Leadership and Impact Adding value, providing leadership, and contributing to positive change in the Spartanburg community.

Civic Participation and Community Engagement Investing time and effectively engaging multiple segments of the community in problem-solving to contribute to positive community growth and transformation.

The 2020 Mary L. Thomas Award recipients were honored with the award as well as a $5,000 grant given to a charity of their choice. During the virtual ceremony– Engage, Elevate, and Celebrate– Natosha Reid Rice, Habitat for Humanity’s Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer delivered the keynote address and the Mistress of Ceremonies was the Carolinas’ Chief Meteorologist Christy Henderson with WSPA News Channel 7.

To learn more about The Spartanburg County Foundation, click here.