A leader in his community, Leroy Howell, Sr. ’51 GP ’10 has been named the 2013 First Citizen by the Rotary Club of Suffolk, Va.
The recognition is given every year to a member of the Suffolk community who follows the Rotary International’s motto of “Service Above Self.”
Howell has lived in Suffolk for most of his life. He attended Chuckatuck High School before coming to Elon, where he graduated with a degree in chemistry in 1951. He returned to Virginia to study dentistry at the Medical College of Virginia.
In 1956, Howell joined the U.S. Army Dental Corps and served in the U.S. Army Reserve until 1964. During that period, he also began a private practice.
Howell is actively involved in the Suffolk community and participates in many civic organizations, including the Rotary Club of Suffolk, the Chuckatuck Ruritan Club, the Boy Scouts of America, the Suffolk Chapter of the American Red Cross, the United Church Homes & Services and the NationsBank Advisory Board.
He has also remained connected to his alma mater and was elected to serve in the Elon University Board of Trustees in 1977. In recognition for his years of service, he was named trustee emeritus in 2000.
Howell will be honored during a ceremony in Suffolk on April 18.