Dr. James W. Clark Jr., known to many as Jim Clark, an English professor emeritus at NC State and longtime supporter of North Carolina 4-H, was recently inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the highest honors presented by the Governor of North Carolina. This award is given to individuals who have demonstrated a strong record of service to the state through their communities, careers, and organizations. Clark was recognized by Governor Josh Stein during a ceremony at the governor’s mansion.

As a Warren County 4-H alumnus, Clark's connection to 4-H began at an early age. He was involved in a variety of projects, but mostly focused his work on entomology, particularly the study and control of crop pests, where he earned national recognition. His time in 4-H later led to his induction into the North Carolina 4-H Honor Club.

As a professor in NC State’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Clark spent nearly 40 years teaching until his retirement in 2005, while also working beyond the classroom through Extension and outreach efforts across North Carolina. Through his leadership in Humanities Extension and Publications, he helped expand programs that connected communities across the state and supported the broader mission of Extension, including 4-H.

Clark's academic focus centered on the state’s cultural geography and literary history, and he led statewide efforts that highlighted North Carolina writers through projects like the Talk About Writing video series. He also contributed to educational materials used in public schools and published works that reflect both literary scholarship and state history, including editing Thomas Wolfe’s The Lost Boy and authoring multiple editions of Clover All Over documenting the history of North Carolina 4-H.

Building on this work, Clark played a key role in preserving and sharing the story of 4-H in North Carolina. He also contributed as a donor, archivist, and committee chair for the North Carolina 4-H History and Learning Center. His efforts have helped ensure that the stories and experiences of generations of 4-H members are preserved and accessible for future youth and leaders across the state.

Clark’s work has also been recognized through a number of prestigious honors and awards throughout his career. In addition to his induction into the National 4-H Hall of Fame, he was inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame and received the John Tyler Caldwell Award for the Humanities, the North Carolina Humanities Council’s highest honor. He also received NC State’s Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal of Excellence, recognizing his impact as a faculty member.

These recognitions reflect not only his academic contributions, but also his lasting influence on the cultural and educational landscape of North Carolina.

Dr. Shannon McCollum, Interim State 4-H Program Leader, shared her thoughts on Clark’s recognition: “Dr. Jim Clark’s recognition with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine is so well deserved. Throughout his career, he has shown an unwavering commitment to North Carolina 4-H and to the young people we serve. What makes Dr. Clark especially impactful is not only the way he has invested in generations of youth, but also his passion for preserving the history of 4-H in North Carolina. Because of his efforts, the stories, traditions and legacy of our program will continue to guide and inspire those who come after us.”

North Carolina 4-H celebrates Dr. Clark’s achievements, reflecting a lifetime of service rooted in 4-H and his lasting contributions to the program, NC State University, and the state as a whole.