The Blackbeard District, East Carolina Council, of the Boy Scouts of America has named David McLawhorn the recipient of its Distinguished Citizen Award for 2011.

For full coverage of this honor, see today’s front page.

McLawhorn, soon-to-retire president of Beaufort County Community College, was a Scout as a young man.

McLawhorn, affectionately known as “Dr. Mac” because of his doctoral degree, should be praised for his contributions to the community through BCCC and other organizations.

Beaufort County needs more leaders like McLawhorn in education and other arenas. Today we salute the Boy Scouts and McLawhorn for the good examples they set.