Education leaders receive SCASA Lifetime Achievement Award
July 6, 2016
COLUMBIA, SC – School leaders in Laurens and Irmo have been named as 2016 SCASA Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. The S.C. Association of School Administrators (SCASA) presents these awards. Each year, SCASA selects individuals as exemplars of education leadership. The most recent award winners are Dr. Billy R. Strickland, Superintendent, Laurens County School District 55 and Dr. Gregory Owings, Principal of Dutch Fork High School, District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties.
For the first time this year, the South Carolina Association of School Administrators is proud to present the SCASA Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously to two outstanding leaders in education. These school leaders have dedicated their lives to educating South Carolina’s children, serving their communities, and providing an example for those who aspire to lead.
The posthumous award winners are Ms. Lucy Beckham, former Principal of Wando High School, Charleston County School District and Mr. Bennie Bennett, former Superintendent, Newberry County School District.
Dr. Gregory Owings has had twenty-five years of success as a school principal at every level in South Carolina. The schools under his leadership have consistently been recognized as being among the nation’s highest rated schools. In the most current ratings of U.S. News & World Report, Dutch Fork is the highest rated “open enrollment” high school in our state. Furthermore, he has generously given his time and expertise for many years by serving as a leadership coach for the S.C. Department of Education’s Principal Induction Program. He is very active in his community through rotary club, Knights of Columbus, and the Board of Engineering at the University of South Carolina. He has guided hundreds of teachers, providing an education for thousands of students.
Dr. Billy R. Strickland started his career as a teacher and has spent over forty years in education. As superintendent, he has led Laurens District 55 to many achievements. The majority of the schools continue to earn the Palmetto Silver or Gold Awards each year. Multimillion dollar grants have been awarded to the district from multiple sources. Dr. Strickland is actively involved in the community and his church. In 2014, he received the Laurens Branch NAACP President’s Award and the Citizen of the Year Award from the Saluda River Boy Scouts of America. He serves on many boards of local and state organizations and is a well-respected educator throughout the state.
Lucy Beckham dedicated her life to the education and the success of her community’s students. She was brilliant, focused, and cared about children. Her legacy is exemplified every day through her students, both prior and current, who continue to excel and achieve their goals. Lucy was able to demonstrate that she was in charge, willing to listen to students, and do something about their concerns. Because of Lucy’s leadership, the community embraced her vision and supported her in every way to build a comprehensive high school that would be locally and nationally recognized for excellence in all areas. She built a curriculum that prepared students for the 21st century and went on to be named the 2010 National Principal of the Year. The community and students are better because of her efforts. Through the impact she had on those she coached and the students she taught, her legacy lives on.
Bennie Bennett’s focus was on the children. Whether on a basketball court, in a classroom, a principal’s office, or a school board meeting, the children knew that they were special in the eyes of Bennie Bennett. There are many children and families today who have a better future because of the care and concern given to them. The career and personal accomplishments in his short life were laudable, but he would never allow the spotlight to be on him. Immediately upon his arrival in Newberry, Mr. Bennett began to develop a culture where teamwork and collaboration were expected. He was a man of character, honesty, and integrity. He lived a life of service and was committed God, his family, and excellence in education. Newberry County Schools and the state of South Carolina are better because of the life and commitment of Bennie D. Bennett.
“Gregory Owings and Billy Strickland are highly respected among the state’s education community and have been a driving force in the growth and success of our association,” said Elizabeth “Beth” A. Phibbs, executive director of SCASA. “They exemplify outstanding leadership among educational professionals. We are thrilled to recognize their exceptional service to public education.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award selection committee uses the following criteria to choose the award recipients:
- evidence of outstanding leadership as an educational administrator;
- a record of service and leadership as a member of SCASA and its divisions;
- community service not directly related to the education profession; and,
- Service to the profession above and beyond normal job responsibilities.
These leaders were honored on Wednesday, June 22, at the SCASA Innovative Ideas Institute before 1,500 school leaders. Each winner received a cash prize, presented by SC Association of School Administrators, a commemorative plaque, and a ring presented by Herff Jones.
Posthumous awards were also presented to the families of the deceased on Wednesday, June 22, at the Innovative Ideas Institute. A scholarship in their honor was presented to the College of Charleston and to the Newberry County School District, respectively.
SCASA is the professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina, with a membership of more than 4,000. From professional development opportunities and research, to publications and legislative advocacy, SCASA’s focus is to support school leaders in providing the best possible education for South Carolina’s young people. As a state affiliate of three national associations for school leaders, SCASA also works on the national level.
