It’s always a good day to hear good news, and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce added to the good-news cycle Tuesday evening when it announced Mark Hopper as the 2021 Citizen of the Year.
Hopper is the director and board chair of McGregor Hall, and he has guided the cultural arts center from its opening in 2016 through the pandemic shutdown and back into operation. His unwavering support for bringing back shows, productions, competitions and other events is a critical component for the continued success of McGregor Hall.
Chamber President Michele Burgess and Events Director Sandra Wilkerson said the annual dinner and banquet was a big hit, from the food provided by Chamber member Cook Shack to the highlight of the evening, which was the citizen of the year announcement.
“We did have a really nice event,” Burgess said, adding that it was nice to be back at an in-person gathering to celebrate Chamber accomplishments in the community.
Board President Ronald Bennett’s theme for the year shines the spotlight on community, and the Chamber members will focus on carrying that message far and wide to grow pride for the area and to play up the assets that Henderson and Vance County have to offer.
“Together, we work better,” Wilkerson said. By bringing together nonprofits, churches, as well as businesses large and small, she said the message will get out.
Past board chairman Dr. Levy Brown shared remarks during the evening’s proceedings. “(He) came back and made remarks as our past chairman,” Burgess said. “He still has a place in his heart for Henderson.
The committee selected Hopper from a strong list of worthy nominations, Burgess said. “We all realized how important McGregor Hall is to the community,” both in its cultural value and its economic value.
“He led the force in keeping it open,” Burgess said, and sought grants to bolster the shoestring budget, she added.
Archie Taylor, Vance County commissioner and previous Citizen of the Year recipient, announced the winner. In remarks, Taylor talked about Hopper’s influence on the success of McGregor Hall. “Soon after his election to chair of the board of McGregor Hall, he began to educate himself in the day-to-day management of a large performing-arts and learning center, including taxes, payroll, building upkeep, fund raising, and the direction of a large volunteer base – all with minimal paid employees – while continuing his artistic leadership of programing and theatrical productions. The most significant aspect of these achievements is that he has accomplished all of this entirely as an unpaid volunteer.
He said Hopper has invested himself to promote and grow his community through selfless dedication and leadership-by-example. “We can think of no one who has more humbly, sacrificially, generously and successfully contributed to the betterment of Henderson and Vance County than the man we are honoring this evening.”
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