Appointments
Charlene Newkirk, president of the Community College of Allegheny County’s South Campus and Washington County Center (Pennsylvania), has been appointed to the Jefferson Hospital board of directors, which comprises volunteers who represent a broad cross-section of the communities and constituents served by the hospital.
Northern Virginia Community College President Scott Ralls, College Board Chair Todd Rowley and Vice President of Workforce Development Steve Partridge were recently appointed to various state committees to help in the transition of Governor-elect Ralph Northam. Ralls, Rowley and Partridge will serve on the Higher Education Committee, the Commerce and Defense and Veteran Affairs committees and the Workforce Development Committee, respectively.
Retirements
Deborah L. Lamm, president of North Carolina’s Edgecombe Community College (ECC) for 14 years, has announced plans to retire in May. She has established pioneering programs and unique partnerships at ECC, improving the standard and level of effectiveness of higher education in the county. She designed and developed the EDGE Scholarship Program, a three-year pilot program which fully funds the education of qualified students. Students are tracked to study successful retention and completion strategies. Lamm also provided leadership for career preparedness initiatives, creating opportunities for all students to obtain Certificates of Career Readiness, thereby demonstrating workforce preparedness. In addition, Lamm led the design and construction of the Biotechnology and Medical Simulation Center, which opened in 2016.
“For the past 14 years, under the leadership of Dr. Lamm, Edgecombe Community College has experienced unparalleled growth in programs and facilities,” said Jerry Price, chair of the ECC board of trustees.
A national leader in higher education, Lamm received the 2017 Southern Regional Chief Executive Officer Award from the Association of Community College Trustees. On the state level, she was president of the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents for the 2016-2017 term. Additional state offices include past president of the Eastern Presidents’ Association and past chair of the Legislative Committee of the Presidents’ Association.
Locally, she serves on the board of directors of the Tarboro Edgecombe Chamber of Commerce and on the executive committee of the Carolinas Gateway Partnership Board of Directors.
Previously, Lamm was vice president of curriculum instruction at Southeastern Community College. For 21 years prior, she worked at Lenoir Community College, where her appointments included dean of arts and sciences; director of arts, sciences and learning assistance programs; and English department chair and instructor.
Obituary
William W. Harmon, the Houston Community College (HCC) administrator who served as president of HCC’s Central campus for more than 11 years before retiring in 2016, passed away on December 26 after a brief illness. He was 76. Harmon was a nationally recognized lecturer who served in top-level positions at the University of Virginia, the University of Pittsburgh, Wichita State and the University of Medicine and Dentistry before becoming president of HCC Central in 2005. His commitment to higher education continued at HCC, where he provided administrative support for the Centers of Excellence, assisted with registration and advising services, and developed student orientation to make the transition to HCC a seamless process. Over the years, Harmon also helped develop the HCC Honors’ College; expanded the Learning Emporium at Central College; initiated a district-wide tutoring center; successfully kicked off the Black History Gala; and played a vital role in expanding the fashion and interior design and culinary programs.
