The line never stopped during the retirement reception for Mitchell Community College President Dr. Doug Eason, held Tuesday at the Statesville Civic Center.
Hundreds gravitated to Eason during the three hour event. Former colleagues, friends from the community and those he negotiated business deals with all waited to shake the retiring president’s hand and share a moment of appreciation.
“He’s been the most innovative community college president that maybe ever has been here,” said I-SS Board of Education member Bill Brater. “He’s a good leader, a good listener. He’s been great for Statesville and Mooresville, really for all of Iredell County.”
Eason’s wife, Laurel, and daughter, Lenora Lefew, were by his side during the reception.
Exactly 22 years before the reception, Feb. 14, 1990, Eason first stepped foot in Statesville. That day he shook many hands as well, but it was in a different atmosphere: Eason’s first interview with the Board of Trustees for the presidential job.
MCC Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Ralph Bentley was also on the board when Eason was hired. Bentley said Eason always made sure the board was informed and up-to-date about the college.
“He has kept one of the most cordial, productive relationships,” said Bentley. “It’s been invaluable. His leadership is the engine that’s driven our success.”
Eason’s tenure has seen the resurrection of the music program at the college, the creation of a joint college and high school program with I-SS and the opening of a Mooresville campus, along with many other projects.
“I feel like some days I’ve been here 30 minutes and some days 300 years,” said Eason. “I’ve been very fortunate. There’s been some bad days…but I’ve never felt that this wasn’t the place I was meant to be.”
Eason said he was grateful the college and the community saw fit to honor him as he was preparing to leave.
“(He’s been) very knowledgeable, professional, always able to help and always brimming with new ideas to help the education process,” said Rena Turner, who knew Eason from the Rotary Club.
Under Eason’s watch, six members of his faculty have gone on to become or been offered community college presidencies of their own. The sixth, Dr. Tim Brewer, will be succeeding Eason March 1.
“I think everyone’s real happy because (Brewer) represents continuity,” Bentley said. “He’ll be his own man, but he was well trained with Dr. Eason.”
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