CBC President & CEO Jim Goodmon (left) & Barton College President Dr. Norval Kneten (right) honor WRAL-TV Director of Local Production Phyllis Parish in the control room named in her honor.

WRAL-TV Director of Local Production Phyllis Parish saw the fruition of a pledge from CBC and her alma mater on the first day of May.   In March of 2007, CBC President & CEO Jim Goodmon announced a pledge from the WRAL/CBC Community Fund to support the digital needs of Barton College’s Broadcast/Video Production concentration.  On May 1, 2008, the Phyllis Parish Howard Television Control Room opened with a special dedication ceremony as part of the college’s traditional Founders Day celebration.

Parish had a double honor as Barton honored her entire family.  The college annually pays tribute to one family as part of Founder’s Week each May.

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"I'm so overwhelmed," says Phyllis Parish of the honor bestowed upon her on May 1st.

The dedication took place at 10:30am on the campus grounds and a lunch and brief program honoring the entire Parish clan followed at 11:15am.

Parish was particularly proud to have her mother by her side for the dedication.  Aileen Parish suffered a split aorta before Christmas.  Parish said her mother’s surgeon described his patient as the “miracle lady.”

The Parish family has a long history at Barton.  Parish’s great-great grandfather, Dr. John Harper, helped found the college in 1902 and served as its second President.  Her parents met at Barton, and she and her sister are also alumni, the fifth generation to be involved with the College.  The Parish family has also established a scholarship there, and Parish herself serves on the Board of Trustees.

A group of about 100 including Parish’s immediate family, friends from her hometown of Wendell, friends from her college years at Barton, her neighbors in Raleigh and friends from her church and WRAL-TV attended the event.  Parish said that all of the friends “are like family to me.”

”Phyllis and I have worked together for many years, and it’s really nice to see her get this honor,” said WRAL-TV Digital Media Administrator Steve Elizondo.  “It puts an exclamation mark on a career Phyllis has dedicated to serving the community as a member of the Capitol Broadcasting team.”

“What a wonderful tribute to Phyllis, who represents the very spirit of what Capitol Broadcasting is in this community,” said WRAL-TV Creative Director Shelly Leslie.

Parish was overwhelmed by the honor.

“WRAL-TV is a great place to work because of this man [Jim Goodmon]! My team and I enjoy working on what we call the ‘Jim Goodmon’ projects-those programs and projects that 'give back to our community'...what could be a better job - making a difference in people's lives!” said Parish at the ceremony.

“[T]hat’s what Jim Goodmon is all about!” she continued.  “Today, he's making a positive difference in the lives of Barton College's communication majors.  My career in television began here on this Campus and I am so very honored this WRAL/Capitol Broadcasting gift will continue Barton's future within the broadcasting industry.”

”The dedication ceremony was special to me -- Barton College is such a charming place, and it was the perfect setting to see a good friend come full circle in fine fashion at her alma mater,” said Elizondo.

Thanks to WRAL-TV's Bill Burch & Bob Sadler for these capcom photos.