University Award:

JOHN JORDAN
2003 UNIVERSITY AWARD SCRIPT

William Joslin/Retired Attorney, John Jordan’s Longtime Friend
John has always been sort of a source of inspiration to me. He’s been a man that has spoken out very strongly for the university—for the things that he believes in. And I’ve always looked to him as a kind of a intellectual guider—guide and friend.

Judge William Creech/John Jordan’s Longtime Friend
Well, I think that’s highly appropriate. I don’t know of anyone who has given more of his time and talent to the University of North Carolina than John Jordan. I may be mistaken—but I believe that he has served on the Board of Governors longer than anyone else. And he certainly always had a tremendous interest in education and the overall subject—but specifically—he’s had an unyielding interest in the University of North Carolina.

Mitchell Lewis/UNC-TV
Retired Raleigh attorney John Jordan was one of the first members of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors when it was created in 1972. His dedication to the board for nearly 30 years is just part of the reason why he is the 2003 recipient of the University Award.

John Jordan/2003 University Award Recipient
My selection was a surprise. You know—it happens that I was Chairman of the Board of Governors the year the award was installed. And it was my privilege to present the first two awards to one—Archie Davis—and Victor Bryan posthumously—who were two giants in the history of the University of North Carolina. So when I received this word—of course I flashed—my mind flashed back to that night—certainly something I had never expected myself.

Mitchell Lewis/UNC-TV
Jordan served as Chairman of the UNC Board of Governors from 1980 to 1984—a time that represented a crucial stage in the university’s development.

John Jordan/2003 University Award Recipient
I expect the biggest issue during the four years that I was chairman was the federal litigation which threatened to cut off all federal funds to the university system—and that’s all 16 campuses—in a disagreement about racial balance in the student bodies.

Mitchell Lewis/UNC-TV
The litigation resulted in the signing of a Consent Decree in 1981—in which state education officials pledged to desegregate the University of North Carolina’s 16 campuses. The university’s plan call for the racial composition of the five historically black campuses to have a 15 percent white enrollment—while the historically white campuses would have a black enrollment of 10 percent or more.

John Jordan/2003 University Award Recipient
We submitted a formula which ultimately was accepted by the courts. And I’m glad to say is followed all over the United States today. It’s been very successful.

William Friday/UNC President Emeritus, John Jordan’s Longtime Friend
John negotiated directly with the head of the Department of Education, Secretary Bell—and actually concluded these debates for all those years. John was the man that engineered it with Ted Bell. For that one thing alone—he deserves the praise of our entire state.

Mitchell Lewis/UNC-TV
Former UNC Board of Governors Chairman Ben Ruffin says Jordan’s actions also took much courage during a period in which change was sometimes met with stiff opposition. Ruffin also praises Jordan’s willingness to offer sound advice to him during his tenure as board chairman.

Benjamin Ruffin/Former Chairman, UNC Board of Governors
John Jordan never failed when I was Chair of the Board of Governors to call me and say—whisper in my ear, ‘Ben, I think this is the way maybe you might want to handle this.’—or to give me cues. And John, you don’t know how much I appreciate that. That meant so much to me.

Mitchell Lewis/UNC-TV
Jordan’s longtime friend Judge William Creech says Jordan’s benevolence isn’t just limited to the university.

Judge William Creech/John Jordan’s Longtime Friend
A man who has given generously of his own resources to provide for historic preservation—and has done that not only here in Raleigh. He’s just recently stepped down as Chairman of the Polk House Restoration Association—and he gave great leadership to that—and has just made an inordinately fine contribution in seeing that project to fruition. And previously of course he’s done so many other things. He’s done something completely on his own down in his hometown of Winton.

Mitchell Lewis/UNC-TV
UNC President Molly Corbett Broad says she was aware of John Jordan’s successes—not only in education—but also in an entirely different field.

Molly Corbett Broad/UNC President
The area of his contribution that I knew most about before I arrived in North Carolina was his role in leading the development of AHEC, which is the Area Health Education Program. It is the finest anywhere in the nation—and it delivers health care and continuing education to the health care professionals all over the state of North Carolina. It was a brilliant idea—and it was marvelously executed.

Mitchell Lewis/UNC-TV
The 82-year-old Jordan says any success he has achieved—He owes to his family first.

John Jordan/2003 University Award Recipient
My family was very understanding and very generous with me. I can see now that I spent time doing other things that I wish I had spent with the children—with my family. But nevertheless—they agreed with our objective—and what I was trying to do—and they gave me full support. I’m very grateful to them to this day.

Mitchell Lewis/UNC-TV
Jordan says he must also give credit to the University of North Carolina for his accomplishments as well.

John Jordan/2003 University Award Recipient
The university has really been the greatest force in my life. It opened a whole new world for me and is still doing it. I rarely miss a week that I’m not on one or the other of our campuses—and sometime on several of them during that same week. This has been extremely important to me—and I would like to share with everybody—seize that opportunity—use it—it will give you a richer life.