VGCC President Dr. Ben F. Currin Announces Retirement, Effective Dec. 31
Dr. Ben F. Currin, president of Vance-Granville Community College for nearly 18 years, will retire from that post, effective Dec. 31 of this year. He made the announcement at the regular meeting of the college’s Board of Trustees’ Monday evening, May 18.
“This decision (to retire) has been one of the most difficult ones I have ever had to make,” he told the trustees. “To be a part of the many accomplishments of the college has been, without question, the highlight of my career of nearly 40 years in education.
“I will leave Vance-Granville, however, assured that it will continue to grow and prosper and remain an integral part of community life in this area,” Dr. Currin stressed. He also thanked the board for the confidence given him “to lead a fine group of faculty and staff … in providing educational opportunities for area citizens.”
Board chairman John T. Church, Sr., said that Dr. Currin’s letter of resignation “is one that I did not wish to receive. The college has grown and prospered under his direction … and without his leadership, I probably wouldn’t be here.”
Offering a standing vote of recognition and appreciation, other trustees lauded Dr. Currin’s accomplishments as president of the institution. Each spoke individually of his dedication, concern and commitment to helping make the college one of the best in the state. They also wished for him continued good health and happiness in his retirement.
Dr. Currin’s future plans are to “travel, golf, fish and maybe do some consultant work.” He also hopes to spend more time with his family, who include his wife, Betsy, their two sons and a granddaughter.
In the meantime, the trustees will have the responsibility of finding a replacement for Dr. Currin; however, no immediate plans for the search have been made.
Prior to joining Vance-Granville as president in 1981, Dr. Currin, a Granville County native, served 11 years as superintendent of Rocky Mount City Schools.
Under his leadership, VGCC has experienced phenomenal physical growth, increased enrollment and exceptional community support for its Endowment Fund Program, which provides scholarships for deserving students. Since 1988, he has guided VGCC in the opening of satellite campuses in Granville, Warren and Franklin counties to help accommodate the rising enrollment that reached almost 15,000 curriculum and extension students last year.
In addition, his reactivation of the Endowment Fund in 1982 has resulted in assets for the scholarship program increasing from approximately $12,000 to more than $2.5 million.
