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| Paul Holt was recently sworn in for a new term as a member of Southwestern Community College’s board of trustees at the Jackson Campus in Sylva. |
It’s been nearly 50 years, but Paul Holt clearly remembers who originally asked him to serve on the board of trustees for what is now Southwestern Community College.
“Mr. (William B.) Dillard was instrumental in getting this college started,” Holt recalled recently. “I practiced law, and I represented him. He was a contractor and he served on the (Jackson County) Board of Commissioners. The land was owned by the county, and Mr. Dillard donated his own equipment to do the grating for the original building (now known as Founders Hall). He asked if I would serve on the board of trustees.”
That was in 1968, shortly after Southwestern became an independent member of the N.C. Department of Community Colleges. Holt has served consecutively on the college’s board of trustees for all but a few months since, and he was recently reappointed by the Jackson County Board of Education. He was sworn in for a new four-year term on July 26 at the Jackson Campus.
According to Julie Woodson with the N.C. Association of Community College Trustees, only one other community college in the state has a founding member still on its board (Helen Boyette at James Sprunt in Kenansville).
““We are blessed to have someone with Mr. Holt’s experience and dedication on our board of trustees,” said Dr. Don Tomas, president of SCC. “I cannot imagine there are many colleges in the nation fortunate enough to have someone with first-hand knowledge about the institution’s origins and expansion over the years. I personally am grateful to Mr. Holt for his leadership and insight.”
During his time on SCC’s board of trustees, Holt has served five terms as chairman. He’s currently chairman of the board’s finance and campus improvements committee.
He also served as founding chairman of the SCC Foundation’s board of directors.
“I feel good about the college,” said Holt, who’s current term on the board expires on June 30, 2020. “It’s growing and will continue to grow. It’s important to see kids have an opportunity to get an education.”
For more information about SCC and the programs it offers, visit www.southwesterncc.edu, call 828.339.4000 or drop by your nearest SCC location.
