NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 1998

CARY PRCR DIRECTOR RECOGNIZED FOR CAREER OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE

CARY, NC -- Mary Barry--Director of the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department for the Town of Cary--has been named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by the University of North Carolina’s Leisure Services and Recreation Administration curriculum. She was honored on April 14th at the annual Harold D. Meyer Awards Banquet in Chapel Hill. One award is given each year to a parks and recreation professional in the state who has distinguished him or herself over the last 15-20 years.

"We really see this as career service recognition," said Dr. Karla Henderson, unit chairperson. "Mary has been very active in her work, community, and with the university since she graduated."

Barry is one of only 24 people who have received the award from the department which has graduated over 1000 students over the last 50 years. In addition to earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the department, Barry serves on the program’s practitioner advisory committee--a group which regularly examines the unit’s course work to find ways to improve it.

"I’m very proud to have been selected," said Barry, "especially because this award represents the feelings of both faculty and students, and because the award comes from UNC-CH."

Mary Barry has worked with the Town of Cary for 15 years and will be recognized for her achievement by the Cary Town Council at tomorrow’s regular meeting.

###

PRIMARY CONTACTS: Dr. Karla Henderson, LSRA Chairperson ,962-1222

Mary Barry, Parks/Rec/Cult. Res. Dir., 469-4066

Bill Coleman, Town Manager, 469-4002

Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, 460-4951