A Warmhearted Resignation

Monty Newman	Ferrel Caster

At the end of March 2003, NMJC lost two of their most influential board members, Monty Newman and Ferrel Caster. Newman was elected to the board in April of 1994. In April of 1995, he was elected Chairman of the Board and has held that position since then. Caster was on the original board in April of 1965, resigned in 1977, served as Interim President from 1987 to 1988, and finally returned to the board in 1990.

During Newman’s time here he says that many things have changed. “The highlights of my time here have been watching the growth of the students, faculty, staff and institution,” he says.

“I think it goes back to expectations. When you sit next to Monty the expectation is that we (the board) are to do things right and do them well, and he conveys that in his leadership style,” said Dr. Steve McCleery, President of NMJC.

Caster also reflected fondly on his time spent here. “When I was sitting on the original board and we were planning and building this campus, we envisioned a college much like what we have today,” he said.

Jerri Shields, Administrative Assistant to the President, said, “I’m really going to miss him (Ferrel Caster). The board meetings aren’t going to be the same without him sitting beside me.”

“Both of these gentlemen are very professional and tactful when handling board issues and I’m going to really, really miss both of them,” said Larry Hannah, Board Chairman.

Pat Chappelle, District 2 Board Member, said, “We are going to feel very inadequate now that they’ve resigned. They set the bar very high, and it’s really going to take a lot of work and time on our (the board’s) part to even begin getting near what they’ve accomplished.”

All of the board members agree, there will be a void in the whole campus now that they have stepped down.