McCallum announces retirement from NTCC Board

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Latrel McCallum announced her retirement from the 91²Ö¿â Board of Trustees Tuesday evening.† In her letter to Board Chair Dr. Dan McCauley she expressed her pleasure to have served 14 years and pride in the many accomplishments achieved across that time.

Ms. McCallum joined the Board of Trustees in 1998 and was reelected to that post twice.† She led the board as chair during the selection of a new president in 2008.† During her tenure, the college grew from 2,045 to 3,350 students and the institutional budget grew from $7,811,134 to $16,582,109.† In 2002 the College received approval from the voters for a $18 million bond, which added six Allied Health programs, expanded the Criminal Justice program, and established the University Center through which Texas A&M University-Texarkana provides two baccalaureate degree programs.

Several other programs have been added during McCallum?s service, including the Julia Truitt Culinary Arts program in Pittsburg, and the Carroll Shelby Automotive program.† In 2009 the college opened the Whatley Agriculture Complex, a LEED Platinum certified classroom building which has received national attention for its innovative design.† With the opening of that facility, a Sustainable Agriculture program was begun.† Most recently the College opened the Industrial Technology Training Center, in partnership with Mt Pleasant ISD and the Mt Pleasant/Titus County Industrial Development Corporation.

?Although it is difficult to step away from my role on the College Board, I have decided this is the right time. The board is unified and I have total confidence in their leadership of the college.† I will always love NTCC and am grateful that my community trusted me enough to let me serve in this way,? McCallum said.

College President Brad Johnson expressed his personal gratitude to Ms McCallum. ?She was so good to me and my wife as we considered this job and then after our move.† She has also demonstrated such good judgment as a board member; steady and thoughtful but always concerned about what will be best for our students.† The College is a better place today because Trustee McCallum has been a part of this special group of community leaders.?

The NTCC board will consider the appointment of a replacement at its May meeting.† This person will serve until the next regular election in 2014.