PSC Foundation Executive Board Governors Betty Roberts and Mike Morette were the 2023 recipients of the Grover Robinson III and Sandra Robinson Awards, presented on June 22nd and July 18th respectively. First presented in June of 2000, these awards serve to recognize outstanding community leaders exemplifying the ideal of “Service Above Self”. Their namesake, the Robinsons, exhibited the highest example of service, becoming strong voices in the community that often compelled a positive action.
Betty Roberts received the Grover Robinson Award due to her lengthy history of service to Rotary, Pensacola State College, and Pensacola. A PJC alumna, former Coordinator of Business and Industry and Associate Professor of Adult Education at PSC, Betty has been a Rotarian since 2005. She has been a Foundation Governor since 2013 and has assumed a number of leadership roles across organizations within the community.
Serving as the Club Secretary, President, and current photographer and editor for the Rotary Club of Pensacola’s Facebook page, her commitment to its success is unwavering. As of July 1st, she now serves as the Area Governor for the great Rotary Clubs in Area 3 of Rotary District 6940. As a PSC Foundation Governor, she has served as President, cultivated relationships within and around the College, helped secure over $200,000 in grants to lay the cornerstone for the PSC Downtown Center for Professional Development, and continues to serve on the Executive Board as Past-President. She is also engaged with the Boards of the Baptist Health Care Foundation, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, the Pensacola Museum of Art, and the Pensacola Heritage Foundation (Galvez Statue Project).
She reflects the devotion, sincerity, results, energy, and creativity that Grover III did in his years of community service and is a worthy recipient of the award that bears his name.
Mike Morette received the Sandra Robinson Award due to his role as a community leader, business leader, mentor, and role model to those within the construction trades. As President of Morette Company, his leadership skills, attention to detail, and commitment to owner satisfaction have upheld the ideals his father implemented when founding the company. Recently, he completed a rebrand that emphasizes a business philosophy that reflects his integrity and character:
GIVE MORE. BE MORE. MORETTE CO.
Morette Co. exceeds client expectations by delivering quality projects that will continue to serve our community for generations to come.
As a member of the PSC Foundation Board of Governors since 2009, he has consistently exceeded expectations. He currently serves on the Foundation Day of Clays fundraising committee. As the Vice President of the PSC Foundation Board of Governors, he attends Board meetings, Executive Board Meetings, and Finance Committee Meetings. His peers on the Foundation Board note that he gives generously of his time, influence, and financial support and commend him on his ability to hold his word, completing construction projects on time and under budget. Next year, Mike will serve as President of the Board of Governors.
His involvement in the community extends to encompass his roles on the Boards of Synovus Bank, the Baptist Health Care Foundation, and on the Advisory Boards of UWF (Building Construction), and Pathways for Change.
He is far from a stranger to the ideal of “service above self”, making him an obvious choice for the Sandra Robinson award.