College president says his farewells

GRANTSBORO - Marion Altman spent his last day as president of Pamlico Community College on Tuesday writing letters and saying thank you to staff, after serving 10 years in the post.

Altman's retirement marks the "end of a professional road," he said, as he looks forward to spending more time with his seven grandchildren, traveling, hunting and fishing.

"I certainly enjoyed it, and I hope I've made a difference along the way," he said.

Since he came on as president in 1999, three facilities were constructed including a small business center, cosmetology center, and a new classroom complex and auditorium multi-purpose building.

"I was involved in every one of them," Altman said.

He said he negotiated for the more than a half-acre lot that now houses the Bayboro center that opened in the spring of 1999.

The land is adjacent to the Pamlico County High School parking lot. It was purchased to provide additional classrooms for high school students taking college courses, and later to house the small-business center.

Altman was also involved in the project to demolish and replace a service station with a new cosmetology center on 2.74 acres adjacent to the Bayboro center. The cosmetology center opened in the fall of 2004, with used equipment from a community college in the western part of the state. He and a maintenance employee flew to Asheville, and rented a U-Haul to bring the equipment back.

"And he and I loaded up every piece of that equipment," he said, although the center now has new equipment.

The construction of the Ned Everett Delamar Center classroom complex and auditorium that opened in March of 2008, was a "real challenge," he said, as the college had to raise $1.5 million to match $2.1 million awarded from a bond referendum.

"Each one of those things is a matter of great pride with me," he said.

Altman came to the college after serving as principal of Fred A. Anderson Elementary School for two years, having held several other jobs with Pamlico County Schools. He graduated from Atlantic Christian College, and received his masters and doctor of education from East Carolina University.

Altman said he does not plan to make a "clean break" with the college. But he lives one mile down the road from the campus, and he will lend a hand to the new president if need be.

Cleve Cox will assume the presidency on Aug. 3. Cox is the current president of Williamsburg Technical College in Kingstree, S.C. Until he assumes the role, Larry Gracie, interim dean of curriculum, will serve as interim president.

"If the new president was to ask for any insight into anything, I'd be happy to assist him in any way," he said. "I'll be the greatest cheerleader of all."

Laura Oleniacz can be reached at (252) 635-5675 or at loleniacz@freedomenc.com.