CHAPEL HILL - The town of Chapel Hill will hold a ceremony today to honor Nate Davis, supervisor of Hargraves Center, who has been chosen to receive the 2011 Cal Horton Service Award.

The award will be presented at an employee ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Hargraves Center, 216 N. Roberson St.

Davis started working for the town Jan. 11, 1973.

"During his 38 years of service with the town, Nate has become synonymous with the town of Chapel Hill, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Hargraves Community Center and the Northside neighborhood," officials said in a release.

The W. Calvin Horton Service Award is given to a town employee who brings credit to the town with exceptional contributions to the community. The employee represents the ideals of public service to citizens and peers in everyday demeanor and actions. The recipient will receive an inscribed glass plaque and a cash stipend.

The W. Calvin Horton Service Award was initiated in 2006 when funds were raised by the community through the Foundation for a Sustainable Community Inc., a not-for-profit charitable corporation under the auspices of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce.

The community raised money to honor the 16 years of service of Town Manager Cal Horton. It was Horton's request that the money award town employees of at least 10 years for distinguished service.

The fund supports the cash stipend associated with this award.

Town Manager Roger Stancil selected Davis based on information and recommendations from an employee committee comprising Maggie Burnett, Jim Huegerich, Deborah Squires, Andrea Judge, Dan Jones, Lance Norris, John Newark and Loryn Clark.

The committee received a record number of 12 nominations this year.

The other nominees this year were: Chief Chris Blue (police), Chris Bradley (fire), Carmen Cole (transit), Paul Dodson (transit), Florentine Miller (manager's office), Flora Parrish (police), Harold Scarborough (public works), Mike Taylor (public works/engineering), Richard Terrell (public works), Larry Tucker (public works/engineering) and Angie Turner (public works).