The Charlotte Regional Safety & Health School Endowed Scholarship in Memory of Mike Peak

Commissioner Berry, Jack Hawkins, Russell McCue, Pamela Davies, Dr. Bill Cody

The Charlotte Regional Safety and Health School recently established an endowed scholarship with Queens University of Charlotte to increase knowledge and awareness of safety and health topics in the field of nursing (occupational health nursing).  The endowment will provide one nursing student from the Presbyterian School of Nursing at Queens with a minimum $1,000 scholarship each year. 

The scholarship was created in honor of Mike Peak for his contributions to worker safety and health. Peak worked for 17 years as a compliance officer and district supervisor in the Charlotte office of the N.C. Department of Labor and was a founding board member of the CRSHS. A respected leader and passionate trainer for NCDOL and private industry, Peak passed away unexpectedly at work in October 1993.  He is survived by his wife and four children.  "The University is honored to be associated with an organization such as the Charlotte Regional Safety and Health School and the many fine groups that support its critical educational efforts," said Dr. Pamela Davies, president of Queens. "The scholarship is a fitting tribute to someone who worked tirelessly to enhance workplace safety in businesses throughout the Charlotte region. I trust that this scholarship award will inspire Queens nursing students to carry on Mr. Peak's legacy in their spheres of influence."  N.C. Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry joined representatives of the CRSHS in celebrating establishment of the endowed scholarship at Queens.  "The CRSHS scholarship is an excellent opportunity to provide financial support to a nursing student, while emphasizing how important safety and health is in the workplace", Berry said.  "I am excited to be a part of endowing such a special scholarship that will help increase occupational safety and health awareness."

The CRSHS board of directors hopes the scholarship will extend the reach of the school's educational efforts to young professionals emerging from college to jobs where they can enhance worker safety and health. Increased safety awareness will help in the proper diagnosis and understanding of occupational injuries and illnesses. Increased awareness also will help to promote knowledge of the various hazards encountered daily in the nursing field.