Tuesday, April 25, 2000

WILMINGTON, NC -- Dr. Jay Robinson, trustee at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a pillar in the state's education community, died Monday, April 24.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 30 in Kenan Auditorium on the campus of UNCW. Immediately following the memorial service, Chancellor Leutze will host a reception for family and friends at Kenan House and Wise Alumni House at 1713 Market Street in Wilmington.

"I've known few people who have so selflessly served others," said UNC Wilmington Chancellor James R. Leutze. "Improving education was his life, with a foot firmly planted in K-12 as well as in North Carolinaís public universities.

"He knew how to get things done in this state, especially by helping the business community value and embrace a strong system of public education. I personally will miss his wise counsel, his mountain wit, and his pointed insights," Dr. Leutze said.

Dr. Robinson began his professional career as a public school math teacher and coach. He became a principal and then superintendent of Cabarrus County and Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Schools. He was vice president for public affairs and then vice president for special projects for the University of North Carolina General Administration. As chairman of the N.C. State Board of Education, he was instrumental in the development of the state's school accountability program, the ABCs of Public Education. In recognition of his success in convincing legislators and educators to implement the program, he was named one of Teacher Magazine's 10 most influential people in American education during the past decade.

Dr. Robinson has been credited with encouraging the North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry to get involved with the state universities and community colleges to advocate for funding the stateís higher education facilities needs. At UNCW, he has been an avid supporter of funding for a new $17.5 million building to house the Watson School of Education and educational resource center.

The Watson School of Education recognized Dr. Robinson in 1995 with a Razor Walker Award for Educational Administration. "I always thought if you're honest and tried to do whatís right you wouldn't get into trouble," he said in the program brochure. "The problem is, everybody doesn't agree on what is right." The award recognized him for following his vision of what is right as he exemplified the Razor Walker characteristics of tenacity, sacrifice, and courage.

Invited to present remarks at the memorial service are Gov. Jim Hunt, UNC President Emeritus C. D. Spangler, Jr., and UNC President Emeritus Bill Friday. Wrightsville Beach United Methodist Church, of which Dr. Robinson was a member, is coordinating the memorial service. No funeral service is planned.

Memorial gifts should be made to the N.C. High School Athletic Association, P.O. Box 3216, Chapel Hill, NC 27515, or the Wrightsville Beach United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 748, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480.

Andrews Mortuary in Wilmington is handling arrangements.