GTCC: Library: Archives: College History: Timeline: Six Presidents

Presidents of Guilford Technical Community College

Bruce B. Roberts (1958 - 1965)

Director: Guilford Industrial Education Center

Dr. Roberts

A native of Mars Hill, North Carolina, Bruce B. Roberts was the first director of the Guilford Industrial Education Center. He was a graduate of North Carolina State. Prior to coming to GIEC, Roberts served as supervisor of trade and industrial education for the High Point School System.

Roberts played an important part in bringing the school into being. As its first director, he served during the crucial formulative years of the industrial center. His administration oversaw remodeling of the "Old Main" Sanatorium building from a hospital into a facility suitable for vocational training.

His administration saw the school's first classes and successful first year. Under Roberts leadership, the number of courses increased rapidly and the school undertook its first Manpower Development Training Act classes. The building Machinery Hall was finished and Furniture Hall was started.

Dr. Herbert F. Marco (1965 - 1967)

First President: Guilford Technical Institute

Dr. Marco

Herbert F. Marco followed Bruce B. Roberts as the first president of Guilford Technical Institute. A native of Auburn, New York, Dr. Marco earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Engineering, Master of Science degree in wood structures and Doctorate from Yale University.

During his tenure, Furniture Hall was completed and he saw work start on a new library building. The campus grew from 26 acres to 46 acres. Activities during Dr. Marco's tenure included a major dental hygiene program, the start of a fundamentals learning laboratory and the extension of the basic education program. Dr. Marco presided over the first graduation ceremony for two-year course graduates.

Inauguration Program

Inaugural Address

Dr. Luther R. Medlin (1967 - 1975)

Second President: Guilford Technical Institute

Luther R. Medlin, a High Point native, succeeded Dr. H. F. Marco as the second president of Guilford Technical Institute. Dr. Medlin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from High Point College, a Master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and did additional graduate study there. In 1968 he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities by High Point College. Dr. Medlin was employed as a teacher and principal in Gaston County and the Greensboro school system.

Under Medlin's leadership the college was among the first of the technical institutes in North Carolina to obtain full accreditation in 1969. He began a comprehensive program of reorganization and expansion of the curriculum and personnel. The college's enrollment grew from 800 to nearly 3,000 and in faculty/staff size from 29 to over 200. He drew up a master campus development plan which saw the construction of several Jamestown campus buildings including Medlin Campus Center, which was named after him, the Business Careers, Gerrald Hall, Health Science, Technical Laboratory, and the Learning Resources Center. He also established the High Point campus of Guilford Tech and rented a facility at the regional airport for the beginning aviation program at the school.

Dr. Medlin was a member of the GTCC Foundation Board from 1967 until 1992. To recognize his service to the college, a general scholarship was named in his honor. He was awarded an Honorary Associate Arts Degree (the first of its kind) for his services to GTI in 1984.

Dr. Woodrow B. Sugg (1975 - 1977)

Third President: Guilford Technical Institute

Dr. Sugg

Woodrow B. Sugg was named president of GTI to succeed retiring Dr. Luther R. Medlin. He was a native of Pinetops in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in science and history from Atlantic Christian College, a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Supervision from the University of Florida. He completed post doctoral study at Duke University and Columbia University.

Sugg came to GTI from Gaston College in Gastonia where he served as president. His professional experience included employment as a science and social studies instructor, principal, director of instruction and superintendent of schools.

Sugg noted his most significant contribution to GTI was encouraging cooperation and involvement between faculty, staff, students, trustees and advisory committees. During his tenure, the James L. Williams Health Careers building on the Jamestown campus was completed and construction of a new classroom laboratory building was started. Under his administration, GTI added four new curriculum programs and improved services to handicapped students and employees.

Dr. Harold James Owen (1978 - 1980)

Fourth President: Guilford Technical Institute

H. James Owen assumed the office of president of Guilford Technical Institute in May 1978. Owen was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. He received a M. A. and B. A. degree from the State University of New York at Albany and a Ph.D. in political science and higher education from the University of Georgia.

Owen came to GTI after more than fourteen years of community college experience in the states of Florida and Georgia as teacher and educational administrator. Before coming to GTI he completed five years as vice-president in charge of the four-campus operation of Florida Junior College at Jacksonville. He also served as an official with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

During Owen's administration at GTI, the medical assistance program and a children's center were started. He also sought to extend the school's cooperation with business and industry in determining employment needs.

Dr. Raymond J. Needham (1980 - 1990)

Fifth President: Guilford Technical Institute

Dr. Needham Raymond J. Needham was born in Bellingham, Washington and followed Dr. H. James Owen as GTI's fifth president. He received a bachelor's degree in agriculture from Washington State University and a Ph.D. degree in vocational education administration from Colorado State University. Prior to coming to GTI, Needham served ten years as president of Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, Oregon.

Needham presided over a period of explosive growth at GTI. One of the most significant accomplishments during his administration was a campaign for community college status. In June 1983, Guilford Technical Institute became Guilford Technical Community College.

During the ten year period of Needham's administration, the High Point campus was expanded, two new Greensboro locations were added and an aviation facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport was started. Several new buildings were added or under construction on the Jamestown campus and the curriculum grew with the addition of nineteen new programs.

Dr. Donald W. Cameron (1991 - )

Sixth President: Guilford Technical Community College

Donald W. Cameron was named the sixth president of Guilford Technical Community College in 1991 after having served as interim president from August 1990. Born in Greensboro, Dr. Cameron grew up in Robbins, North Carolina. He holds an A. A. in Education from Wingate Junior College a B. S. in History and Physical Education from Atlantic Christian College, M.A.T. in Educational Administration and Physical Education from the University of North Carolina and the Ed.D in Community College Administration from Nova University.

Dr. Cameron served as a high school teacher and coach at Union Pines High School in Cameron, NC, as director of continuing education at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, vice president for academic affairs at Spartanburg Technical College in Spartanburg, SC and as executive vice president of GTCC for nine years.

Some of his accomplishments include GTCC's partnerships with local businesses, the college's budget doubled, voters have passed four bond referendums for the construction of several new buildings, and the partnership with the Guilford County public schools in implementing the Tech Prep and the Middle College programs.