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"He is truly a pioneer in community college education," says James Skidmore, chancellor of the WV Council for Community and Technical College Education, of Dr. David Perkins, retiring president of New River Community and Technical College during a special Dr. David Perkins Scholarship Dinner held Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Lewisburg Elks Greenbrier Valley Country Club.
Nearly 100 faculty, staff, and students from the four campuses of NRCTC joined education leaders from Virginia and West Virginia in honor Perkins who helped change the Wheeling branch of West Liberty State College into the West Virginia Northern Community College, the first true community and technical college in the state.
"Ironically," Skidmore added, "He presided over the change from the Greenbrier Community College Center and the Beckley Center for Bluefield State College joining the Nicholas County Center of Glenville State College and the BSC Community and Technical College into the New River Community and Technical College with four campuses serving central and southern West Virginia."
Edward Knight, chairman of the NRCTC Board of Advisors, presided over the program and presented the formal portrait of Dr. Perkins which will be placed in the President's Office at the Beckley Campus and will be transfered to the Higher Education Center being established in Beckley as the headquarters for the administration of NRCTC as well as a center for other public colleges and universities.
Skidmore, as part of his official capastity in representing the WV Council for Community and Technical College Education, presented a framed copy of the resolution by the Council honoring Dr. Perkins for his service.
Dr. Felicia Banks, intrim president of NRCTC, presented Dr. Perkins with a plaque expressing the appreciation of his work in establishing the college and his dedication to the students of central and southern WV. She also honor Dr. Perkins by noting that his final accomplishment at President had come to a conclussion less than 24 hours prior to the dinner when the North Central Association's Higher Education Commission announced full independent accreditation for New River Community and Technical College.
Other speakers included Michael Lilly, director of the Bluefield campus of NRCTC at Bluefield State College; Del. Tom Campbell (D-Greenbrier); Lewisburg Mayor John Manchester; Roger Griffith, director of the Greenbrier Valley Campus, NRCTC; Greg Shrewsberry, director of the Center for Workforce and Business Development; and Dr. Perkins.
In his remarks, Dr. Perkins thanked all for the support given and reminded the College community that "It is all about the students. Everything is done for the students — the faculty teach the students, the staff supports the faculty who do the teaching."
Dr. Perkins retires with 42 years of service to education in the two Virginias as well as being very active in the Greenbrier Valley through civic and church organizations and activities. The Dr. David Perkins Scholarship has been established through the Greenbrier Community College Foundation Inc. and donations to that fund may be made at Box 1360, Lewisburg, WV, 24901.
Other special guests at the dinner included Del Ray Canterbury (R-Greenbrier), Sen. Jesse Guills (R-Greenbrier), members of the Board of Advisor for New River Community and Technical College and the Board of Governors of Bluefield State College.
February 16, 2005
Submitted by Mike Williams
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