Published: May 15, 2008 08:19 am      

TVCC president addresses Chamber

Forgey talks about past semester, his first since taking over top post

The new president of Trinity Valley Community College was the keynote speaker at this month’s Athens Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday.

Dr. Glendon Forgey gave a review of his first semester as president and plans for the future.

“The first semester has been meetings, meetings, meeting, meetings, meetings,” Forgey said. “We’ve been busy. The vice president has been working hard, too.”

He said one of the interesting things he has done is attend a graduation ceremony at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities in Tennessee Colony.

Forgey said two years of community college lowers the rate of recidivism, which drops from 60 percent to 10 percent.

He said the college has added amenities for the students such as wireless Internet and a laundry facility in one of the dorms.

The college has also hired a grant writer, according to Forgey.

He said the results of a grant writer will be seen in increasing student access, enhancing student retention, enhancing student success, improving community and adult education programs and the economic and workforce development.

“We want students to finish what they start,” Forgey said.

He discussed plans the college has for future expansion including building new residential halls, possibly changing to a four-day class schedule and adding programs.

The chamber also presented several awards to its teachers, business and ambassador of the month.

The business of the month was given to Richard Riehn of Citizens State Bank.

“It’s always a thrill to be recognized by the chamber. I’ve had the privilege of serving on the board and as its chairman,” Riehn said.

The chamber’s ambassador of the month was awarded to Bobbie Pannell.

“She has been a member for three months and she has been to every meeting,” Ambassador Chairperson Meshell Scott said.

The teachers of the month were Carla Hawkins of Athens Annex; Nicole Haynes of Athens Intermediate; Kim Mattingly of Athens Middle School; Maria Barcenilla of Bel Air Elementary; Sarah Williams of South Athens Elementary; Judy Trammell of R.C. Fisher; and Dedra Jackson of Athens High School.