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| W. Paul Holt, Jr. |
It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Southwestern Community College founding father, Trustee and Foundation Board member W. Paul Holt, Jr. He passed away peacefully Thursday in Asheville, surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 3, in Myers Auditorium in the Balsam Center on SCC's Jackson Campus. Visitation followed the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the SCC Foundation in memory of Mr. Holt.
Mr. Holt, along with several business and educational leaders in Jackson County, helped establish the Jackson County Industrial Education Center on December 1, 1964. JCIEC eventually grew into the institution now known as Southwestern Community College. Mr. Holt was a founding member of both the SCC Board of Trustees in 1968 and the SCC Foundation Board of Directors in 1973 and served actively on both boards until his passing.
“Paul Holt was the driving force behind the development and growth of Southwestern Community College, from its humble beginnings in 1964 to its current status as a nationally top-ranked community college," said Dr. Don Tomas, SCC President. "His invaluable contributions to SCC will be felt and magnified for generations to come. His dedication and civic service to the citizens of Western North Carolina are legendary and unparalleled.”
Mr. Holt was the longest-serving Trustee in the state of North Carolina and will be recognized for this achievement by the North Carolina Association of Community College Trustees and the Association of Community College Trustees, the premier national association for trustees.
More information about Mr. Holt and his lasting contributions to SCC are available in this report from Jan. 23 when he was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
Click here to read Mr. Holt's obituary.
