Mario Lopez is the recipient of Wayne Community College’s Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award.
The award highlights an outstanding curriculum student’s leadership and service. It honors former Gov. Bob Scott who served as the state’s chief executive from 1968–1972 and president of the North Carolina Community College System from 1983–1995.
Lopez is working toward an associate in science degree and is also in the first cohort of WCC’s Community College Collaboration (C3) dual-enrollment, dual-admission program with NC State University. He currently serves in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and was recently promoted to Corporal of Marines.
Additionally, Lopez is a member of WCC’s Multicultural Club, Science Club, and Scholars of Global Distinction, where he also serves on the leadership team. He has volunteered on campus in multiple aspects, including hosting a campus Bible study, helping Mexican citizens receive documentation during the Consulate General of Mexico’s visit, and appearing at events as Billy the Bison, WCC’s mascot.
“A leader is someone who can encourage others, think of others before themselves, and show compassion,” Lopez wrote in an essay on leadership. “WCC and the people around me have allowed me to grow more as a leader by finding ways to help, listen, guide, and encourage my peers so that they can be leaders as well.”
Lopez will receive a plaque for the award at WCC’s Student Recognition Ceremony.
Award finalists and their programs are Shalon Dunlap – Business Administration, Ryan Gilmore – Applied Animal Science Technology (Special Credit), De’Rontae Lee – Human Services Technology, and Michael Rarick – Business Administration.
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.