NRCC History Book

16 received high school credit in addition to college credit and developed an increased interest in highly skilled jobs for the future. At the end of 2009, the foundation received a bequest of $925,000 from the estate of Novella Mayberry. This gift, the largest so far in the college’s history, was designated for student scholarships. Changes in Leadership The beginning of the 21 st century brought changes in both the VCCS’s and NRCC’s leadership teams. After 10 years of service, Dr. Arnold Oliver retired as chancellor of the VCCS in 2001, and Dr. Glenn DuBois became the eighth chancellor in July 2001. Dr. DuBois would go on to serve as chancellor for the next 21 years until his retirement in June 2022. Similar transitions took place at NRCC. Dr. Ed Barnes, the college’s fourth president, retired in 2000 after serving in that role since 1991. Dr. Jack Lewis became the fifth president and held this position until he retired in December 2016. Vice Presidents . In Fall 2002 the State Board for Community Colleges approved title changes for several administrative positions. Some positions at the dean and director levels at the college became vice presidents and division chairs. These title changes prompted the college to restructure some positions. Dr. Mark Rowh became vice president for planning and advancement and served in this position from 2004 to 2010. A new position, vice president for workforce development, was established in 2004 and filled by Ron Chaffin; and a Center for Workforce Development was created as an extension of the Office of the President. Angie Covey, coordinator of workforce training, was named associate vice president

for workforce development in 2005. In 2009 Covey’s position changed to associate vice president for advancement. Dr. Charlie White, vice president for instruction and student services, accepted an appointment to serve for six months as interim vice chancellor for academic services and research at the VCCS beginning January 1, 2005. Pat Huber, division chair of arts and sciences, served as interim vice president of instruction and student services in Dr. White’s absence. Also in 2005, John Van Hemert became vice president for finance and technology, replacing Mark Hamric. In May of 2006, Dr. White left NRCC to become president of Wytheville Community College (WCC). Dr. Huber became vice president of instruction and student services in 2007. Deans and Directors . With the retirement of Rita Dixon, director of student development programs, Peggy Taylor was named coordinator of student services in 2002. Replacing Ron Chaffin, Dan Lookadoo, professor of electronics, served as interim dean of business and technologies from 2004 to 2006, then dean from 2006 until his retirement in 2013. Linda Claussen, assistant professor of early childhood education, was named director of distance education and off-campus services, replacing Kathy Kleppin in 2005. Replacing Dr. Huber, Carol Hurst, assistant professor of English, served as interim dean of arts and sciences from 2006 to 2007, then dean of arts and sciences from 2007 until her retirement in 2013. The First Strategic Plan Dateline 2009, the very first strategic plan for Virginia’s community colleges, was proposed in 2003 with two overarching aims:

Chapter 1