State Sen. Tommy Norment (R-3rd) was presented the William and Mary School of Education’s Jo Lynne DeMary Award at an Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership Alumni breakfast in the University Center yesterday.

The DeMary Award, named for the William and Mary alumna and former state superintendent of schools, recognizes individuals for leadership in education.

As the state senator representing Williamsburg, James City County and York County, Norment has served as a tireless advocate for William and Mary and its School of Education. Recently, Norment’s support for a new William and Mary School of Education building helped guide the General Assembly to approve $5.4 million for the project to move forward with planning and design, said Virginia L. McLaughlin, dean of the School of Education.

“Planning for the new facility would not be possible without the leadership of Tommy Norment,” she said. “For that we are forever grateful.”

As a DeMary Award recipient, Norment was presented with a William and Mary lamp and his name will be added to a plaque in the School of Education.

“Public education is the most important core function of government, bar none,” Norment said. “It is the social crucible where no matter what your persuasion, no matter what your economic position is in life, you are at least afforded the opportunity of public education and you can pursue that for as long a time or as brief a time as you want.”

Currently a partner with the law firm of Kaufman & Canoles, P.C., Norment earned his law degree from the William and Mary Law School. He served on the James City County Board of supervisors from 1987 to 1991 and was first elected to the Virginia Senate in 1991. He currently serves as the senate majority floor leader and is the chairman of the senate committee on rules. In addition to his duties in the Virginia Senate, Norment currently serves as co-chairman of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and is actively involved in planning the Jamestown 2007 activities.

Additionally at the breakfast, William and Mary alumna Dr. Jennifer Parrish was presented a practitioner award from the University Council for Education Administration.