June 21, 2006
Pumphrey accepts presidency of South Puget Sound Community College
OLYMPIA — Dr. Gerald Pumphrey will be the next president of South Puget Sound Community College. Pumphrey accepted the job offer extended by unanimous vote of the college’s Board of Trustees during a Special Meeting June 19. He will assume the post effective Aug. 1, 2006, with a three-year contract at an annual salary of $160,000.
“We are pleased to have someone of Dr. Pumphrey’s experience, abilities, vision and integrity to lead our college,” said Board of Trustees chair Leonor Fuller. “The community-based approach we used to identify candidates and select Dr. Pumphrey was highly successful. We appreciate all the community involvement.”
College Faculty Senate President Gerard Dolmans thanked the Board for the community-oriented manner in which the search was conducted.
“The faculty are excited about Dr. Pumphrey,” Dolmans said. “We welcome him to campus and look forward to working with him.”
A former North Carolina cabinetmaker, Pumphrey has been involved in the work of community colleges since 1987. He has led Bellingham Technical College (BTC) as president since July 2001. Under his leadership, BTC has actively responded to economic development opportunities in the community, and pursued innovative contract training locally and globally.
He has previously served as vice president for Instruction at Guilford Technical Community College, Jamestown, NC. He also held positions as Director of Workforce Preparedness and Division Chair of Transportation at Guilford.
Pumphrey received a doctorate in Vocational/Technical Education from Clemson University; a master’s degree in Industrial Education and Technology from Appalachian State University in North Carolina; and a bachelor’s degree in English from Florida State University.
“I am absolutely honored to follow Ken Minnaert as president of South Puget Sound Community College,” Pumphrey said. “He has built a strong institution. I have admired and respected him greatly during our association. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to be involved in the planning of a second campus, and I look forward to getting to know and becoming a part of the community served by South Puget Sound.”
College President Kenneth J. Minnaert will retire after 30 years at the college. He will stay on through July as Pumphrey transitions to the position.
“I enthusiastically endorse the Board’s selection of Gerald Pumphrey,” Minnaert said. “He is thoughtful, strategic, and professional, and will carry this excellent institution forward into the future. I pledge to make his transition smooth, efficient and ultimately successful.”