Carteret CC Trustees Announces Barwick Award Winner

Morehead City, N.C. (April 19, 2023) – At its meeting on April 12, 2023, the Carteret Community College Board of Trustees selected Mrs. Janet Eshleman as the recipient of the 2023 Dr. Joseph T. Barwick Civic Award for her 30 years of service, support, and commitment to Carteret County.

Janet and her late husband, Jim, moved to Morehead City in 1992. Over the course of the next 30 years, Janet dedicated herself to community service and became known for her “fundraising wizardry.” As a member of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, she helped raise many thousands of dollars between 1996 and 2003.  After such success, Janet took her talent to the Carteret County Historical Society where she served as president from 2003 to 2013 until she retired at the age of 85. As president, she continued to fundraise and many of the exhibits on display today were made possible through her efforts.

In addition to her community service, Janet is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church where she serves as an Elder. In 2006 she was honored with the Presbyterian Lifetime Award and from 2007 to 2009 she moderated the Presbyterian Women.

In February 2022, as Russia invaded Ukraine, Janet knew she wanted to do something to help. So, she dusted off her “fundraising wizardry” skills and got to work. Over the course of a few months, Janet organized a massive yard sale at the old Kmart. Thousands of people from all over Eastern North Carolina came to support the cause by volunteering, shopping, or making a donation. That weekend they raised over $43,000 for the people of Ukraine. Janet celebrated her 94^th birthday during the event’s cleanup.

“Janet Eshleman is the perfect recipient of the Barwick Award,” said Melodie Darden, Chair of the Carteret CC Board of Trustees. “She has touched thousands of lives through her 30 plus years of community and church work. As she celebrates her 95th birthday this May, we are honored to showcase her positive examples of giving to the community.”

The Carteret Community College Board of Trustees established the Dr. Joseph T. Barwick Civic Award in honor of the college’s third president, Joe Barwick, who retired in 2009 after 10 years of service with the college and nearly 40 years with the State of North Carolina.

Mrs. Janet Eshleman is the thirteenth recipient of the award since 2010.  Other recipients include:  Joan Lamson, Dr. Tom Steepy, Rodney Kemp, Leonard Safrit, John Capps, Bernie Whalley, Gene McLendon, Ann Goellner, John Smith, Dr. Mary Katherine Lawrence & Dr. Art Klose, and Big Rock Charity Committee.

The Board of Trustees will honor Mrs. Janet Eshleman at the college’s upcoming Awards ceremony scheduled for Thursday, May 11th at 6 p.m.

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