|
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 5, 2007) — This recipient is someone who is a businessman by trade, but a true philanthropist at heart. Mr. John H. Sykes’ charitable efforts have touched the lives of thousands through his generous contributions to the civic service, academic, economic and nonprofit fields. While he has received much recognition for his business accomplishments throughout the years, it is his commitment to community that is foremost.
His lessons in business began at an early age, selling flowers, salve and homemade items as a youngster to residents in the Charlotte community. All of the young Sykes’ profits were divided with his grandmother, with the remaining monies put into a reserve fund. It is this early business lesson that taught him the value of the dollar and that with hard work, comes high reward.
In 1977, Mr. Sykes founded Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated, in Charlotte, a small technical engineering firm with a handful of employees. Today, that company is a global leader in business process outsourcing, employing more than 17,000 people across five continents. In 2004, after 27 years of overseeing Sykes operations, Mr. Sykes retired. His passion – to better the community, including Queens – remains the same.
A Board of Trustees member since 1998, Mr. Sykes is the largest individual donor in the University’s 150-year history, with gifts totaling $16 million. He recently committed $3 million toward Queens’ capital campaign, and has funded the construction of the John H. Sykes Learning Center and Susan W. Sykes Portico on Everett Library. Mr. Sykes is an endowed scholarship fund donor as well, establishing the John H. Sykes Trustee Scholarship in 2001 to recognize Queens students who achieve outstanding academic success. To date, more than 220 Sykes Trustee Scholars have been able to live the Queens experience because of his generosity.
His ties to Queens extend beyond the roles of donor and board member; he is also a past student, who studied at the University from 1956-1957 when it opened its doors to accept the influx of returning veterans and GIs from WWII and the Korean War.
Mr. Sykes, a student who once graced Queens’ halls and classrooms, today is a leader its boardrooms. He shares his creativity, philanthropic spirit and belief in the Queens of today with the University’s leadership to ensure the success of the Queens of tomorrow.
And so it is with great pride, Mr. John H. Sykes, that upon unanimous vote of the faculty and trustees of Queens University of Charlotte, and by the authority vested in me by the trustees and the State of North Carolina, I confer upon you the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, with all the privileges pertaining thereto.
F. William Vandiver, Jr. Pamela Davies, Ph.D.
Chair Board of Trustees President Queens University of Charlotte
May 5, 2007 May 5, 2007
|
