LRC News Release

John Dallas Brinkley III

John Dallas Brinkley III establishes scholarship fund at Lenoir-Rhyne

John Dallas Brinkley III of Newton has established a scholarship at Lenoir-Rhyne College to assist students from Catawba County who are pursuing a business administration degree and have financial need.

Brinkley is a 1973 graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College and was active in Playmakers and Theta Xi fraternity. He is president of Best Builders Markets Inc. and secretary of Brinkley Lumber Co. Inc. in Rutherford College, N.C.

The John Dallas Brinkley III Scholarship will be funded with an estate gift of $100,000. Brinkley said he wanted to do something to show his appreciation for the education he received at the college. “Lenoir-Rhyne has people who are caring, who will work with you and help you succeed,” he said.

“Lenoir-Rhyne is especially pleased that Mr. Brinkley has chosen not only to support our students but also to put emphasis on building the business community in Catawba County”, said Dr. Wayne Powell, president of the college. “Lenoir-Rhyne’s legacy of building business leaders in this region is unsurpassed, and Mr. Brinkely’s support will help to ensure that we continue to provide the finest business preparation to our community.”

Brinkley earned a degree in English. He has always worked in his family’s construction business. However, he said his education has been useful in helping him with public speaking and in various forms of written communication. Also, he said a love of reading enriches anyone’s life, regardless of occupation.

Brinkley is a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Hickory, where he formerly served as lay assistant minister. He is a former district director of the North Carolina Jaycees, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Spa Athletic Club and Catawba Country Club. He also received North Carolina’s highest civilian award, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

For more information about how to establish an estate gift benefiting Lenoir-Rhyne College, contact Rich Duncan, director of planned giving, at 828-328-7339 or duncanr@lrc.edu.