Working with others has always been a passion for Alfred Sutton. A native of Kinston, his education and career took him to another state, but he never forgot where he came from and the family that helped make him the person he is today.
In honor of his uncle, Charles Coward, Sutton established the Charles Coward and Alfred Sutton Scholarship through the Lenoir Community College Foundation. The scholarship will be awarded to a student with academic promise, leadership ability, and some financial need.
“We appreciate Mr. Sutton’s generosity in establishing this newly endowed scholarship,” LCC Director of Institutional Advancement Jeanne Kennedy said. “This scholarship will allow a deserving student the opportunity to get an education and embark on a new career.”
Sutton currently lives with his wife Rosie, and 18-year-old daughter, Chelsia, in Plano, Texas. He said he had been thinking about contributing to the LCC Scholarship Program for some time, especially after his uncle told him he served on the LCC board of trustees. “I’ve done well financially and personally and I wanted to give to the college and honor my uncle for all he has done.”
Coward said he was proud of Sutton’s accomplishments. “When he (Sutton) was young, he was like a son to me,” Coward said. “When he got older, he became more of a brother to me. He has always been a fine young man.”
Sutton attended LCC in the early 70s and played basketball under the coaching of Pete Barnes. “The gym wasn’t built back then. We played at Southwood,” he recalled.
Sutton said he knew he wasn’t the best student when he attended LCC, but he quickly learned that without an education he would always be stuck in dead end jobs.
“I got focused after I kept getting bad jobs,” he said. “I’d go to work and I thought I was as good as my supervisor, but I knew I couldn’t achieve something better without an education.”
He transferred to Atlantic Christian College where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in History.
Sutton said he found his life’s calling when he met someone sitting on a park bench one day and the man started talking to him about the gerontology program at a local university. That conversation sparked his interest. “I decided to study gerontology because I’ve always liked working with other people, especially seniors,” he said.
“Looking for his niche,” Sutton said, he moved to Texas where his sister lived and attended the University of Texas in Dallas. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Masters Degrees in Gerontology. Eager to continue his education, he earned a second Masters degree in Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University.
Sutton said his “Uncle Charles” has always been a role model and teacher for him. “We’ve done lots of things together,” he said. “He taught me how to play basketball. I wanted to honor him because he has always been nice to people and he has always helped people. He has an interest in the community which is a great attribute,” he said.
Coward was employed in the Kinston City School System as a Physical Education Teacher, Coach, Principal for seven years and retired as Special Director of Federal Programs in Kinston City Schools Administrative Office. Coward said he always liked working with young people and Sutton always liked working with older people.
“He (Sutton) endeared himself to me when he spent so much time with his grandparents, my parents,” he said. “He came to see them every day and spent time with them. I admire him for that and for many other things.”
Coward said he told Sutton he needed to apply himself in whatever he chose to do in life. “You have to have a solid base, but you need to apply yourself,” he said. “Personality can get you in places where talent can’t, but talent will keep you in places when personality can’t,” Coward said. “A person needs both.” |
