The Boy Scouts of America’s Blackbeard District in Washington honored David McLawhorn as its 2011 Distinguished Citizen Award recipient Wednesday night at the Turnage Theater.

The award is presented annually by the district to an individual who, in the spirit of scouting, unselfishly supports a diversity of people in their physical, mental and spiritual development so they may be constructive members of society.

McLawhorn, president of Beaufort County Community College, and who’s been with the state’s community college system since 1975, said he was honored and did not know what the Scouts had in store for him at the event.

“I’m deeply honored and just very appreciative of the Scouts,” McLawhorn said. “The foundation that they gave me and the values that I built while in Scouting has followed me throughout my life. I was a Boy Scout growing up and enjoyed Scouting very much. And I owe a lot to Scouting, and I’m very humbled by this honor.”

Clay Carter, in his opening remarks for the event, said McLawhorn has a drive about him that is unmatched.

“This, coming from someone whose guidance counselor in high school told him he wasn’t right for college,” Carter said. “Well, if she could only see him now.”

While at BCCC, McLawhorn has been a strong leader, dedicating his career to educate and train the work force so it can contribute to society, Carter said.

The Boy Scouts of America provides youth programs that instill values, build character and strengthen personal fitness ą attributes that were instilled in McLawhorn at a young age that still hold true to his character.

The Rev. Dr. Robert Cayton, a BCCC trustee and Beaufort County commissioner, said McLawhorn has helped build two new buildings while at BCCC.

“But his greatest legacy is not mortar and brick, but people,” Cayton said. “He’s made education more attainable to anyone who wants to pursue it. He offered hope where there was no hope, and gave courage to the discouraged, strength to the weak. He said he will work with people to help them attain a better way of life. His greatest legacy is that he touched people and helped make a difference. Scouting got into him and he got into the principles of scouting.

“He was taught by Scouting how to soar with the eagles. And he came to Beaufort County Community College, and he’s given others the opportunity to soar with the eagles as he has.”

One of McLawhorn’s boyhood friends, Army Maj. Gen. Emmitt Gibson (retired), said what he learned in scouting and in the Army is the that it’s always tough to make the right decision.

“But to choose the harder right over the easier wrong says something about a person’s character,” Gibson said. “And David, or Clem, as we called him, is full of character.”

Gibson and McLawhorn, both former Scouts, grew up together in Ayden.

“It’s really an honor for me to be here to honor Dr. Mac,” he said. “Scouting played a significant role with our growing up. And if you can reach the youth of today and turn them around and stop the moral decay of our institutions and our people, then you’ve done a lot.”

Gibson cited a statistic showing that if children spend at least four years in scouting, there is a 98-percent chance that they will not be involved with drugs.

“That’s amazing,” he said. “That says a lot for scouting. Just think if you could multiply that across the states. So, it’s a great organization, and I commend my great friend for his great career and all he has done.”

Jeanne Martin, who works with McLawhorn at BCCC, said she is surrounded by Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts, noting her husband and oldest son attained the Eagle Scout designation.

“Dr. Mac has always cared about young people and wanted the very best for them,” she said. “There’s equity to everyone he comes in contact with and treats everyone the same č from the person who picks up the pine cones to make the property look good, to doctors on campus.”

U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones presented the award to McLawhorn and said, “There is nothing more important than a person living their values taught by their family and God, and you have extended and exemplified as giving back to the community.”

Jones, noting he never made it past the Star Scout level, quoted a saying he heard years ago: “‘If you want to touch the past, you’ll touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, you’ll touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, you’ll touch a child.’ And David you have touched the future.”