Darrell Grimes, dean of instruction at South Plains College, recently was promoted to vice president for academic affairs. 

Grimes succeeds Dr. Kelvin Sharp, who was named on Nov. 11 to be SPC's next president, after Dr. Gary D. McDaniel, president of SPC for the past 11 years, announced his retirement.

Newly appointed vice president Darrell Grimes
             Kilmeny Gilmer/Plainsman Press
" I'm very excited," exclaimed Grimes. "I look forward to all the new changes the college is currently experiencing in both growth and technology. I will still be over instruction, but at a different level. It is an area that I enjoy.”

“I am really looking forward to working with Dr. Sharp. I believe it will be a unique time for SPC," added Grimes.

Grimes will be overseeing the Arts and Sciences, Technical Education, Health Occupations and Continuing Education divisions.

" We are very pleased to announce Mr. Grimes’ promotion to the position," said Dr. Sharp. " He is an experienced faculty member and administrator. His knowledge of technology, the respect he has for our faculty members and the leadership qualities he has demonstrated for nearly 20 years of service to SPC make him an excellent candidate for this position."

Grimes joined SPC in 1975 as an instructor in marketing and management. He later served 15 years as dean of men. In 1993, he began teaching in the computer information systems program, first at SPC's Reese Air Force Base extension center and later on the Levelland campus.

In 1995, he was named coordinator of the CIS program, and in 1998, he was named CIS department chairperson. He served a year as president of the SPC Faculty Senate, and then was selected by his peers for the highest honor bestowed on a faculty member at SPC, the 1998 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award. A year later, Grimes was named dean of instruction in December 1999.

Dr. Jay Driver, who had been serving as chairperson of the Math Department, will be filling Grimes position as dean of instruction at SPC.