Vanda Lewis Earns Order of the Long Leaf Pine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Katie Mosher, kmosher@ncsu.edu, 919-515-9069

Vanda G. Lewis of Harkers Island is a new member of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the State of North Carolina’s “highest honor of recognition.”

Signed by Gov. Roy Cooper, her certificate was presented at a recent meeting of the North Carolina Sea Grant Advisory Board. She soon will retire from Sea Grant and NC State University, with 30 years of state service.

“Vanda’s friendly nature and efficiency combined to enhance our extension program,” says Jack Thigpen, Sea Grant extension director. He notes that Lewis has been a steady presence since the central coastal office was at the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, through the current location at the Center for Marine Sciences and Technology in Morehead City.

Lewis’ versatile roles grew over the years, especially with the expanding use of computers. She often helped troubleshoot office problems and built new databases, while also earning honors as a technology volunteer at a local school.

“Vanda has been a wonderful ambassador for North Carolina, and for Sea Grant’s coastal outreach efforts,” adds Barry Nash, Sea Grant’s seafood specialist. Her technical skills in the kitchen and understanding of attributes of N.C. finfish and shellfish helped in several projects where local entrepreneurs sought Sea Grant expertise to translate family recipes into formulations for commercial production.

Katie Mosher, Sea Grant communications director, cites Lewis’ role as an award-winning photographer and also as a writer for the Mariner’s Menu blog and Coastwatch magazine.

A past winner of the Award for Excellence from NC State’s Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development, Lewis was a familiar presence at Sea Grant workshops, such that her participation often was sought when Sea Grant collaborated with partners.

Lewis and her husband, James, who is also retiring, already have purchased a recreational vehicle and plan to travel. But Carteret County will always be home.

Lewis recently won another award; see this news release for information about that honor. And read more about Lewis in the Holiday 2017 issue of Coastwatch magazine (scroll down the page for her story).

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