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NC Office of Human Resources »   State Employee Resources »   Benefits »   Employee Recognition »   Larkins Award

Larkins Award

Photo of Dr. John Larkins in 1977 (left) and photo of Dr. John Larkins with former Governor Terry Sanford and scholar Hugh V. Brown (right).

The nomination period for the 2022 John R. Larkins Award currently is closed. The 2022 honoree is Debra Farrington, Chief of Staff for NC Medicaid, NC Department of Health and Human Services.

The award was announced during the 2022 North Carolina State Employees' Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Program. Presented virtually at 12 p.m. Jan. 14, it is available for on-demand viewing:  North Carolina State Employee’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance Program

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The State of North Carolina seeks nominations for the John R. Larkins Award, which recognizes a state employee who exemplifies the commitment of the late human services leader’s work to bring equality and justice in the workplace and his dedication to improving local communities through volunteerism and community service. As North Carolina continues to encourage vaccination and safe behaviors to minimize the risks associated with COVID-19, nominations of state employees who are directly engaged in responding to the pandemic are especially encouraged. The nominations deadline is Dec. 27, 2021.

About

  • The Award and Nomination Process
  • Dr. John Larkins
  • Honorees

The nomination period for the 2022 John R. Larkins Award currently is closed.

 

John Rodman Larkins Award was established in 1998 to recognize human service, and it is presented annually at the North Carolina State Employees’ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observance Program.

You are invited to nominate state employees who reflect Dr. Larkins’ commitment to equality and justice in the workplace and his dedication to improving conditions in local communities through volunteerism and community service. Nominations must be submitted by Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. The selected honoree will be announced during the annual State Employees Martin Luther King Jr. Observance on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022.

To be considered for the John Rodman Larkins Award, submit the online nomination form and provide a detailed description of how the nominee has improved human and race relations in the workplace, and how the nominee has contributed to local communities through volunteerism and community service. The winner is selected by a panel of state employees.

For questions, please contact:

Sheryl Waters
Deputy Director for Constituent Services
Office of the Governor
919-814-2000

Dr. Larkins was born December 24, 1913, in Wilmington, North Carolina, where he attended public school and graduated from Williston High School. Under the National Youth Administration Program, Larkins attended Shaw University and later earned his M.A. at Atlanta University’s School of Social Work and his Doctorate at Columbia University’s School of Social Work.

After early jobs paving roads and working in the garment industry in New York City, Dr. Larkins returned to North Carolina, to serve as a welfare worker in Warren County. In 1942, he became a consultant for the North Carolina Department of Public Welfare (now the Department of Health and Human Services) until 1962 when he became the Department Coordinator. Dr. Larkins went on to serve as the Associate Director of the State Probation Commission from 1963 to 1973; as the Director of Youth Development at the Department of Corrections in 1973-74; and as Special Assistant to the Governor on Minority Affairs from 1977 until his death in 1980.

Dr. Larkins’ contributions extended beyond the workplace. He authored a collection of articles that explore race, community, leadership, and sociology. He taught part-time at St. Augustine’s College and Shaw University, and served in several sociological associations. Throughout his life and career, Dr. Larkins received numerous honors for his efforts to make our state and nation stronger through better human and race relations. Dr. Larkins’ legacy in North Carolina is one of hope, trust, hard work, and dedication. He believed in his fellow people and committed his life to improving our communities.

2022 - Debra Farrington, Department of Health and Human Services

2021 - April Parker, Department of Health and Human Services

2020 - Aleshia Hunt, East Carolina University

2019 - Bobbi Wardlaw-Brown, Office of State Human Resources

2018 - Tanya Dearman, Department of Revenue

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NC Office of Human Resources
https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits/employee-recognition/larkins-award