Suffolk News-Herald

An area woman was named &uot;Alumnus of the Year in the Field of Education&uot; at the Eighth Annual Alumni Convention of Virginia Union University. The event was held in Atlanta Ga. on the weekend of June 19-22 at the Hilton Downtown Hotel.

Jean L. Copeland from the Class of 1963, was chosen to be honored at the homecoming banquet on Friday evening, Sept. 26, on the campus of Virginia Union University in Richmond.

She is a 1958 graduate of Nansemond County Training School in the Holland section of Suffolk. She graduated from Virginia Union University in Richmond with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and social science and a Master of Education degree in guidance counseling from Virginia State University in Petersburg.

Selection of outstanding alumnus is based on the growth and progress in one’s chosen profession and the contributions made to the university to enhance the over all programs through recruitment and financial contributions.

Copeland’s selection was contributed to the following accomplishments and employment:

nDuring her employment in the Southampton County School System, she has served as an A.P. Government Reader for six years by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, N.J. This assignment took her to three college campuses – the University of Maryland in Maryland (two years), Clemson University in South Carolina (three years); and Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas (one year).

nShe served on Paul D. Camp Community College Board for four years and the Elon University in North Carolina Board for two years.

nShe has been employed in the Southampton County Public School System at Southampton High School since 1963 – as a classroom teacher for 26 years in Social Science and the past 14 years as a guidance counselor and

Director of Guidance Services.

Copeland is the wife of Enoch C. Copeland and both are educators. They also live in the Holland section of Suffolk.