NCC President Arthur Scott delivers final state of the college speech
Post on: 2011-08-26 By: admin
Express-Times File Photo | BRUCE WINTERNorthampton Community College President Arthur Scott is shown delivering a prior state of college address at the campus in Bethlehem Township, Pa.Northampton Community College President Arthur Scott isn't leaving the college quietly.Scott made his final state of the college address this morning, reaffirming the school's core values and the culture he's developed. He urged his staff to constantly innovate and push boundaries."Because something worked well five years ago does not mean it is effective today," Scott, who is retiring at the end of this school year, said. "Colleges are often criticized for not being in the real world and for being overly protected from real competition."Change should be the norm, not the exception," he later added.Scott outlined areas of focus, such as information technology and software upgrades that had staff responding with grateful applause, and the upcoming construction of the college's Monroe Campus. But most of his focus was on sustaining and growing "a dynamic, caring and aggressive organization."Staff should never succumb to the mentality Northampton has grown too much to know every student, Scott said. Always stay aware of what lessons students offer, he urged. "Students are not always right, but it is amazing what we can learn by listening to them," Scott said.The college released its fall enrollment figures to date this morning. Overall, enrollment is up four students over last year at 10,903 students, said Mardi McGuire-Closson, vice president of student affairs and dean of students."I wasn't letting Dr. Scott out of here with enrollment down," McGuire-Closson joked. "Even if I had to register myself."Full-time enrollment is actually down 5 percent at 5,201 while part-time enrollment is up 6.5 percent, she said. The figures mirror a trend being seen at colleges across the state, she said.The theory is the drop in full-time students may be a sign of an improving economy since community college full-time enrollment spikes in downturns, she said. The health care reform act also may have freed students who work 30 hours a week from only taking a full course load to keep their insurance, McGuire-Closson said. Young adults no longer must be full-time students to stay on their parents' health insurance.College staff and faculty took time to honor Scott's service to the college over the past 35 years -- eight of them as president -- with a long, warm standing ovation at the close of his speech.And McGuire-Closson, a self-proclaimed miser with college money, finally gave Scott one of the coveted orange shirts that staff wear during new student orientation.Scott proclaimed after his speech he planned to don it for the employee picnic this afternoon. As his final school year as president winds down, Scott said he remains focused on the work ahead.He took the podium for his last state of the college speech with mixed feelings."It was hard," Scott said. "It really was. I tried to keep the emotions together."
Related topics: bethlehem township, pa., education, northamptom community college
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