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Never too old to teach

Longtime volunteer receives state’s highest civilian honor

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The certificate reads:

“Reposing special confidence in the integrity, learning and zeal of Dr. Edwin L. Rogers, I do by these presents confer The Order of the Long Leaf Pine with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary, privileged to enjoy fully all rights granted to members of this exalted order, among which is the special privilege to propose the following North Carolina toast in select company anywhere in the free world:”

Here’s to the land of the long leaf pine,

The summer land where the sun doth shine,

Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great,

Here’s to ‘down home,’ the Old North State!

By Richard Gould | Hickory Daily Record

Published: October 10, 2008

HICKORY - After teaching economics at UNC for 20 years, Ed Rogers decided to retire and get busy donating his time and talent to those less fortunate.

His charitable work has taken him to Belfast, Bolivia, Guatemala and Calcutta, India, but he also focused his efforts closer to home. He helped found Catawba County's Habitat For Humanity chapter more than 20 years ago and has been tireless in his efforts to provide housing for the impoverished.

Rogers, 82, spends three days a week tutoring students at Longview Elementary School and one day a week at Catawba Valley Community College tutoring the immigrant community in English.

Monday, in honor of his lifetime of community service, Rogers was presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by N.C. Rep. Ray Warren.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is the highest honor that can be bestowed by the governor of North Carolina upon a citizen. It's given to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state, including contributions to their communities, extra effort in their careers and many years of service to their organizations.

Greg McGinnis, town manager of West Jefferson, nominated Rogers for the Order because he was determined to see him recognized publically for the work he has spent his life doing privately.

"He's constantly spending his time working on projects to help others," said McGinnis. "All he does is give and give and give."

McGinnis has known Rogers for almost 30 years and considers him a mentor. "Ed has been a role model to me on how to live a good Christian life — a life of giving to others," said McGinnis.

Rogers said his parents raised him to be involved in his community and to help others in any way he could. "I came out of a family of volunteers," Rogers said.

As he received his Long Leaf Pine certificate, Rogers said he feels his charitable work has enriched his life immeasurably because the people he helps give so much back in return.

He has no time to slow down any time soon. "Why would I want to?" he asked.