Three of Guilford Technical Community College’s most fervent supporters have passed away this summer
Published on: August 28, 2024
A trio of Guilford Technical Community College’s most ardent advocates passed away this summer, leaving family, friends, and the GTCC community with a sense of loss.
The three, Dr. Stuart Fountain, Steve James, and Coy Willard, were champions of the college, both in service and fiscal support. All three men were lifelong residents of the Piedmont Triad.
“These three gentlemen were committed to and valued by GTCC and always threw their full support behind the college,” said GTCC President Anthony Clarke, Ph.D. "We are saddened by their passing and thankful for their support to the students and the community we serve. They will forever be part of the GTCC family."
Stuart Fountain, who died July 31 at the age of 88, and his wife, Carol, were active supporters of the college for more than four decades. Stuart Fountain, an endodontist, was named to the college’s board of trustees in 1981 when it was Guilford Technical Institute. He was instrumental in persuading the North Carolina legislature to allow the move to community college status in 1983, becoming Guilford Technical Community College.
He had over 34 years of service to the North Carolina Community College system, serving on the GTCC board of trustees from 1981 to 2001 and on the state board of trustees for 14 years.
In 2023, the Fountains donated $200,000 to the college for the establishment of the Dr. Stuart and Mrs. Carol Fountain Endowed Professorship to be awarded annually to a faculty member in the health sciences division, preferably to a faculty member in dental sciences.
The Fountains have funded a dental assisting scholarship at GTCC since 2004.
In 2003, GTCC’s dental science building was named the Stuart B. Fountain Dental Science Building in his honor.
Steve James, who passed away July 20 at 76, had served on the Guilford Technical Community College Foundation board of trustees for six years, including a term as the board chair.
He and his wife, Judy, donated $850,000 to the college, with $450,000 going to an endowed athletic scholarship, $300,000 to athletic program operations, and $100,000 to fund the start of the GTCC baseball program.
GTCC’s Hassell Health Technologies Building was named after Lillian Hassell Benson, who was Judy James’ mother.
Coy Williard, who was 79 when he died on June 30, was passionate about High Point, where he grew up, and fervently supported the area throughout his life.
He was a champion of higher education in the area, serving on the GTCC board of trustees and other education-related boards.
Williard was instrumental in bringing minor league baseball to High Point in recent years, serving as chairman of the board for both the High Point Rockers and the Downtown Stadium Foundation.
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