Laura Raper Buddin, a dedicated educator with over four decades of experience, has been awarded the prestigious Lorelle F. Martin & Michael R. Pelt Excellence in Teaching Award.
The award was presented during the University of Mount Olive Annual Alumni Awards ceremony as part of Homecoming Weekend. Buddin is a 1981 graduate of Mount Olive College (now the University of Mount Olive), a 1983 graduate of Atlantic Christian College (now Barton University), and a 1989 graduate of the University of South Carolina where she earned her M.Ed. degree.
She has made significant contributions to the field of education throughout her career.
Buddin began her teaching career at Beddingfield High School in Wilson County and went on to teach mathematics in North and South Carolina for 20 years.
Her expertise and leadership in mathematics education led her to serve as the K-12 Mathematics Coordinator in Lexington-Richland School District 5 in Columbia, SC, for five years.
She then transitioned to the Scholars Academy at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, where she taught for five years.
After retiring in South Carolina in 2012, Buddin returned to North Carolina and joined Wayne Community College.
She serves as Dean of the Arts and Sciences Division. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, she continues to teach mathematics and work directly with key programs, including the Career and College Promise Program, the Educator Preparation Program, and the College Transfer Advising Center.
A lifelong advocate for education and community service, Buddin is an active member of May’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, where she has served on the Deacon Board for the past eight years.
She is also on the Board of Directors at the Free Will Baptist Children’s Home in Middlesex, where she has served for six years.
Buddin’s leadership extends to her role as President of the Iota Chapter of North Carolina Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional organization for women educators, a position she has held for three years.
Buddin’s commitment to education is a reflection of her upbringing as the youngest daughter of Rose M. Raper and the late Dr. W. Burkette Raper, former MOC President.
Her passion for lifelong learning, professional development, and community improvement continues to inspire students and educators alike. Buddin and her husband, Mike, have three children and two grandchildren. The couple resides in Goldsboro.
Buddin’s selection as the 2024 Lorelle F. Martin and Michael R. Pelt Excellence in Teaching Award highlights her remarkable career and dedication to making a positive impact on education and the lives of those in Wayne County and beyond.
