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Wilmington Rotary Club to Honor Community Leaders
Three individuals will receive the annual Leaders in Service Awards at a banquet on May 12.
Published on Mar. 9, 2026
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The Wilmington Rotary Club will present its fifth annual Leaders in Service Awards to three community leaders - Katrina Knight, Betsy Graham, and Wilbur Jones Jr. - at a banquet on May 12 at the Burney Center. Knight is the executive director of the Good Shepherd Center, Graham is the New Hanover County veterans service officer, and Jones is a historian specializing in World War II history.
Why it matters
The Leaders in Service Awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the community in one or more of Rotary's seven Areas of Focus, including peace, disease prevention, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, education, economic development, and the environment. The awards also honor those who demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The details
A committee of Wilmington-area business and civic leaders selected the three honorees from among several dozen public nominations. Knight has led the Good Shepherd Center as executive director for over 20 years, expanding the organization's services for people experiencing homelessness and hunger. Graham connects the county's 15,000 veterans to resources related to education, housing, and physical and mental health. Jones has written two books on Southeastern North Carolina's wartime history and co-founded the World War II Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition.
- The awards ceremony will take place on May 12, 2026.
- Knight has led the Good Shepherd Center for more than 20 years.
The players
Katrina Knight
The executive director of the Good Shepherd Center, the region's largest provider of services for people experiencing homelessness and hunger.
Betsy Graham
The New Hanover County veterans service officer, connecting the county's 15,000 veterans to resources related to education, housing, and physical and mental health.
Wilbur Jones Jr.
A historian specializing in World War II history, who has written two books on Southeastern North Carolina's wartime history and co-founded the World War II Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition.
What’s next
The Wilmington Rotary Club will host the Leaders in Service Awards ceremony on May 12, 2026, where the three honorees will be recognized for their contributions to the community.
The takeaway
The Leaders in Service Awards highlight the important work of community leaders in Wilmington, North Carolina, who are making a difference in areas such as homelessness, veteran services, and historical preservation. The awards recognize individuals who embody Rotary's values of service, diversity, and inclusion.
