Richard D. Eckburg Richard D. Eckburg has made a lasting impact on Savannah through years of tireless volunteerism to the community and generous contributions to area nonprofit organizations. Savannah Technical College honored his dedication Friday, December 5, at the college's annual Opportunity Gala.

The event was held on the Savannah Campus with a reception beginning at 6:45 p.m. in the Atrium and dinner following in the Eckburg Auditorium, also named in honor of Mr. Eckburg. The Savannah Technical College Foundation along with this year's Signature Sponsor SunTrust Bank hosted the event.

Dick Eckburg was born and raised in Amboy, IL, retiring after 32 years with United Parcel Service (UPS), only after serving in the United States Army during the Korean War. He rose through the ranks at UPS to become Vice President of Public Affairs. Mr. Eckburg also served with distinction on the executive committee of the American Trucking Association.

Since his retirement, Dick has engaged in a wide variety of charitable and philanthropic endeavors in his twenty-two years of living in Savannah. Organizations benefitting from his leadership and generosity along with Savannah Technical College include The Lucas Theatre, The Bethesda Home for Boys, The Telfair Museum of Art, The Savannah Music Festival, Savannah Christian Preparatory School, the Alpha-Omega Church, The Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) Visitors' Board, and St. Paul's CME Church and School among many others.

He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Media Research Center in Alexandria, VA and on the Board of Directors of the SunTrust Bank, Savannah. Dick is also a Board Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Coastal Empire, and a member of Georgia Coast Marshland & Shore Protection Committee.

Mr. Eckburg has received a number of honors from organizations in Savannah. He was bestowed an honorary Doctor of Humanities by SCAD; was inducted into the Savannah Business Hall of Fame in 2006; was selected as a Savannah Technical College Community Star and was named an Honorary Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment in 2007.