SWCC
Dr. J. Mark Estepp Inaugurated as SWCC President
Friday, October 10, 2008
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Dr. J. Mark Estepp has been officially installed as the president of
Southwest Virginia Community College. The event, which traditionally takes
place one year after serving in the office, was attended by college and
university presidents and their representatives from across the state.
Also in attendance were SWCC students, faculty and staff, political and
business leaders, and a host of family and friends.
Estepp came to SWCC from Appalachian State University where he had built on a string of successes becoming dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts at ASU in 2002. Among his family and friends in attendance were his daughters Addie and Marcie. Addie is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a degree in environmental health. She and her husband Mark Jarrett live in North Georgia where she is a naturalist and ranger at Unicoi State Park. Marcie graduated from ETSU as well, and is now attending graduate school at Appalachian State University, majoring in student development. Bringing greetings to SWCC’s president were: Jeffrey Mitchell, representing the State Board for Community Colleges; Wayne Bostic, SWCC Local Board; Steve Davis, SWCC Foundation Board; Whitney Miller, SWCC Students; Dr. Elizabeth Smith, SWCC Faculty; Brenda Robinson, SWCC Professional Support Staff; Sandra Hogston, SWCC Alumni, and representing the Commonwealth, Delegate Clarence “Bud” Phillips. Also in attendance were retired SWCC President Dr. Charles R. King and former interim President Dr. William F. Snyder. Dr. Glenn DuBois, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, officially installed Estepp as SWCC’s president and presented him with the Presidential Medallion. In his inaugural address Estepp stressed securing the future of SWCC as the critical component for an evolving strategic plan. He spoke about successful graduates who have been responsible for helping weave the fiber of the region’s success. Reflecting the theme of his inaugural address, he told the story of one business owner who had said to him “If the doors of the college closed today, we would close our doors tomorrow.” In conclusion, Estepp noted that the success of the college continues to be tied closely to the success of the region. Estepp also spoke of his and his wife Trish’s love for the area and the people, telling how he often wanted to live in this area as he passed through on his way to Matewan, West Virginia, to visit his mother. Another individual was also honored during the inauguration bringing the event to a conclusion. Local author Adda Leah Davis, who penned the lyrics for SWCC’s Alma Mater “The Beacon on the Hill,” was presented a bouquet of roses by Trish Estepp. A reception was held for participants in the college’s gymnasium, courtesy of the Clinch Valley Medical Center Basement Bistro. Decorations were courtesy of Anne Cordle Arno, Bernice Cordle and Terri Howery. Reception entertainment was provided by the SWCC Jazz Ensemble and the SWCC String Band. The SWCC Community Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Joseph Trivette, performed during the inaugural ceremony. Laura Brown sang the National Anthem. Dr. Robert Tomlinson, SWCC vice president of instruction, presided over the event. Jim Boyd, SWCC foundation board chair, brought the invocation. Dr. Michael Henry, SWCC director of student support services, gave the benediction. |
Pictured are Mark and Trish Estepp with Chancellor DuBois immediately following the inauguration. |
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Dr. J. Mark Estepp, President Message from the President Inauguration Committee Chair: Phyllis Roberts Committee Members: Aaron Bryant Pat Bussard Sylvia Dye Trish Estepp Angie Fuller Jackie Hartman Mary Lawson Rod Moore Dr. Bob Sutherland Pauline Taylor Dr. Bob Tomlinson Dr. Joseph Trivette Rhonda VanDyke Mark Wildman Emeritus Breakfast: Dr. Bob Tomlinson, Chair Reception, Food, Decorations: Mary Lawson, Chair, Pauline Taylor, Joyce Kinder, Dr. Barbara Fuller, Dr. Sherri Dawson Sponsorship Opportunities: Mary Lawson and Phyllis Roberts, Co-Chairs Music: Dr. Bob Sutherland, Chair; Jackie Hartman, Co-Chair Alumni: Rod Moore and Phyllis Roberts, Co-Chairs Logistics: Mark Wildman, Chair, Aaron Bryant Advertising/Publications: Pat Bussard, Chair Invitations: Rhonda Vandyke, Chair Lodging: Jackie Hartman, Chair Website: Sylvia Dye, Chair, Teresa Pruett John Mark Estepp grew up in Matewan, West Virginia, as one of five children of Herman and Zola (Cook) Estepp. His father was a coal miner, and disabled with black lung by the time Mark was in high school. Mark attended Berea College from 1973-1977, majoring in industrial arts and vocational education. While there he met his future wife Trish Campbell, a native of Hazard, Kentucky. After completing his baccalaureate degree, he began graduate studies at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. He completed the master of science degree in industrial arts education in 1978. Shortly after graduating, he and Trish married. Mark began his new life with Trish as a high school teacher. He taught industrial arts at Walton-Verona High School in Walton-Verona, Kentucky. They then moved to Columbia, Missouri, so that Mark could take a position as a high school industrial arts teacher as he worked towards a Ph.D. in practical arts and vocational technical education at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. During this time, Trish helped support the family by working on the campus of Mizzou, and by typing dissertations in the evenings. After earning a doctorate from Mizzou in 1981, they moved to Livingston, Alabama, where Mark developed an industrial technology degree program at Livingston University. Their two daughters Addie and Marcie were born there. Addie is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a degree in environmental health. She is married and lives in north Georgia. Marcie graduated from ETSU as well, and is now attending graduate school at Appalachian State University, majoring in student development. After three years at Livingston, the family moved to Boone, North Carolina. It was there that Mark accepted a position as an assistant professor of technology and taught furniture design and construction at Appalachian State University. Mark was promoted to the chair of the department of technology in 1991. Building upon a string of successes, he became the dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts at Appalachian in 2002. On July 2, 2007, Mark became President of Southwest Virginia Community College. As president of Southwest he wishes to build on a 40 year heritage of service to students and to the community-at-large. His desire is to continue to build and maintain a world-class institution of higher learning to meet the needs of the people of our region.
SWCC Alma Mater On a hill in Appalachia Chorus: Alma Mater, you give us hope Chorus You accept us and teach us well Chorus All who walk through your hallowed halls,
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