By Jennifer Jordan
Journal staff writer

Former State Sen. John C. Revens Jr., who served as a legislator on Smith Hill for four decades, will be honored March 6 at the New England Board of Higher Education's annual Excellence Awards dinner in Boston.

Revens, 62 and a Warwick Democrat, was first elected as a state representative in 1968 before becoming a senator in 1974.

Revens announced last summer he would not run for reelection, and would instead focus on his law firm. A former Senate majority leader, Revens served most recently as president pro tempore, presiding over sessions when the Senate President was unable to do so.

Revens will receive a state merit award alongside recipients from the five other New England states.

"Mr. Revens was nominated because of his long record service to higher education and to the students of Rhode Island as well as the region," said Charlotte Stratton, senior communications director of the New England Board of Higher Education. Revens served as chairman to the organization in its early years, Stratton said.

Board members, college and university presidents and members of the general public nominate candidates for the state merit awards, Stratton said.

In addition, the organization will bestow several regional awards, including a leadership award to former Maine Senator George J. Mitchell.

For details about the awards ceremony, visit: www.nebhe.org/excellence2009