Ben Jenkins receives college's inaugural Person of the Year Award
April 9, 2008 – Benjamin ‘Ben’ Jenkins, vice president and chair of the General Bank at Wachovia, is the first recipient of the North Carolina State University College of Management’s annual Person of the Year Award.
The award was presented by Ira R. Weiss, dean of the college, at a celebration on April 8, marking a new tradition for the college.
“This award has been established by the executive leadership of the college to recognize one of our alumni or friends who has made an outstanding contribution to the College of Management,” Weiss said.
“Our annual ‘Person of the Year’ award will be bestowed on individuals who fully embrace and support the college’s mission, vision and values as evidenced through their commitment of time, talent or resources. And their actions will have made a significant impact on the college through their leadership, service and support,” he said.
In September 2007, the North Carolina State University Board of Trustees approved naming the Jenkins Graduate School of Management within the NC State University College of Management, marking a transformational gift from Ben Jenkins and his wife Marianne.
“Jenkins understands the value of graduate management education in preparing individuals – especially those with technology oriented backgrounds - for leadership in today’s global marketplace,” Weiss said in presenting the award.
“With his gift, he acknowledges the value that the NC State College of Management’s graduate programs offer to their students and the business community. His support and this naming are helping the college deliver on its promise – and that of the university – to provide a world class education by attracting, supporting and retaining world class faculty and highly motivated students prepared for today’s technology driven, global marketplace.”
In his professional life, Jenkins has built a distinguished 38-year career in banking as an integral part of Wachovia and its related institutions. Since 2000, he has served as vice chairman and president of the General Bank at Wachovia, providing executive leadership for retail and wholesale activities, from branch delivery and commercial, business and community banking to mortgage and corporate customer service excellence.
Jenkins also has extended his leadership skills to the community, serving as a member and vice chairman of the board for Presbyterian Hospital, member of the board and chairman elect for Queens University, and a member of the board of directors of the Charlotte Symphony.
Attending the celebration were members of Jenkins’ family, his friends and colleagues, and friends, faculty and staff of the college.
Also presenting remarks were Ken Thompson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Wachovia Corporation; James Oblinger, chancellor of North Carolina State University; and friends Greg Poole, CEO of Poole Equipment, and Robert Bashford, M.D., dean of admissions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Medical School.
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