CHARLOTTE — Former Sen. Bob Plymale, who served more than three decades in the West Virginia Senate, was recognized at the Southern Regional Education Board Annual Meeting June 6 with both the SREB Distinguished Service Award and the Jack Hill Champion Award.

Distinguished Service Award

Plymale was presented with the SREB service honor, recognizing his 23 years of dedicated service to the organization.

Plymale joined both the SREB Board and the Legislative Advisory Council in 2003. He joined the SREB Executive Committee in 2005, served as Board Treasurer from 2013 to 2022 and served as Legislative Advisory Council vice chair and chair.

During his time with SREB, Plymale served as a member of the Commission on College Affordability in the South, the Commission on Computer Science and Information Technology, the Commission on the Middle Grades, and the Commission on Career and Technical Education.

“For more than two decades, Sen. Plymale brought steady, principled leadership to SREB, serving on our Executive Committee and as board treasurer,” said SREB President Valerie Greenhill. “His generosity with his time across our commissions reflected a deep commitment to expanding opportunity for students across the region, and we are grateful for his dedicated service.”

The Jack Hill Champion of Education Award

Established in honor of the late Sen. Jack Hill of Georgia, the award recognizes state leaders who have made important long-term contributions to education and SREB’s work in the 16-state region. It also honors leaders who, like Hill, have shown a commitment to civility and cooperation in public service.

Hill, from Reidsville, Georgia, represented Georgia’s 4th District and served on the SREB Board for 26 years, including terms on the SREB Executive Committee, as the SREB Board Treasurer from June 2011 to June 2013, and as chair of the SREB Legislative Advisory Council from 2003 to 2004.

It is fitting that Sen. Plymale is the recipient of the 2026 Jack Hill Champion of Education Award as he originated the idea of the award following Sen. Hill’s death in 2020 and brought the idea to the Executive Committee.

“Sen. Plymale embodies the true spirit of this honor,” SREB Board Vice Chair Dr. Felicia Cumings Smith said. “He understands that strengthening education requires long-term state commitment. His work sets a standard for public service in our region.”

Plymale’s career in the West Virginia Senate spanned from 1991-2024, where he chaired the Senate Education Committee from 2002-2014. Over the years, Plymale held several leadership positions associated with Marshall University, including Associate Vice President for Economic Development, Chief Operating Officer of the Center for Business and Economic Research, Chief Operating Officer of the Appalachian Transportation Institute/Rahall Transportation Institute, and Chair of the June Harless Center for Rural Educational Research Advisory Committee.

Previous recipients include former state Sen. Howard Lee of North Carolina, state Rep. Francis Thompson of Louisiana, Rep. Alan Baker of Alabama, and former state Sen. Joyce Elliott of Arkansas.

Contact: Jahana Martin, Communications Manager, Jahana.Martin@sreb.org

The Southern Regional Education Board works with 16 member states and the District of Columbia to improve public education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. Learn more at sreb.org.