The NC State Natural Resources Foundation is pleased to announce the founding of the Susie Deazley Walston and Mac Walston Fellowship. The fellowship will support current professionals who wish to seek an advanced degree in the area of parks and recreation from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management(PRTM) at NC State University. The fellowship is the result of a generous gift by Susie and Mac Walston of Virginia Beach.
Susie Deazley Walston is a 1973 NC State graduate in Recreation Park Administration. Early in her career she saw the need for an advanced degree and earned a master’s degree at George Washington University in Public Administration. Susie retired in 2011 with 38 years of public service at the municipal level in such capacities as Parks and Recreation Director, Organizational Development Director and Deputy City Manager for Virginia Beach, Virginia. Though, not directly involved with Parks and Recreation in the later stages of her career, Susie remained active in the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society and continues to support NC State’s PRTM department who honored her with the PRTM Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2003.
Mac Walston started college at East Carolina University but dropped out to join the U. S. Marine Corps. He received a Presidential Unit Citation (Vietnam), Navy Achievement Medal with Combat “V” and Purple Heart for his service. He founded and was Head Coach of the Tidewater Aquatic Club (US Swimming Association). His 25-year parks and recreation career was in Newport News, Virginia where he served as Golf Course Manager; Marina, Beaches & Pools Manager; and Recreation District Supervisor.
Susie and Mac met while working in Newport News and have been married for over 38 years. They believe parks and recreation is vital to a community’s quality of life.
About Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management at NC State
PRTM specializes in preparing planning and management professionals for the fields of parks, recreation, tourism, golf and recreational sports. One of three departments in the College of Natural Resources, PRTM teaches skills that are applicable across a wide range of environments and prepare our graduates to be the leaders in the next generation of park, recreation, tourism and sport professionals.
PRTM is a national leader in research and extension activities in the areas of Livable Communities and Healthy Living, Sustainable Tourism and Economic Development, and the Human Dimensions of Built and Natural Environments. The faculty, staff, and students are dedicated to finding real solutions to real problems and transferring that knowledge to help communities and people thrive.
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For more information, contact:
Tilla Fearn, Communication Director, (919) 513-4644