After ten years at South Plains College, Dr. Gary Dean McDaniel has stepped down as our president.

“Serving as president at South Plains College has been the high point of my career,” McDaniel told his board of regents. “But Kay (McDaniel’s wife) and I believe this is a good time to end my professional career and devote my time to our children, grandchildren, and God’s purpose for our lives.”

McDaniel says that he is very proud of what he is leaving behind.

McDaniel, originally from Brownsboro, Texas, began his college education at Tyler Junior College where he got his associates of arts degree in 1960. He then went on to get his bachelor of science degree in biology and a master of education degree from Stephen F. Austin University. In 1965, McDaniel earned his doctor of philosophy degree from East Texas State University. He has completed post-graduate work in adult education at the University of Maryland and the University of North Texas. All of this education and experience launched a career in education beginning as a junior high and high school science teacher in Athens. McDaniel then started to teach at the college level at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens as a biology teacher. He then served as dean of continuing education at TVCC from 1969-71, dean of academics from 1971-76, and then vice president for academic affairs from 1976-78. McDaniel then left Trinity Valley in 1978 to accept presidency at Frank Phil lips College in Borger where he stayed three years. In 1981, he became president of Panola College in Carthage where he settled for 11 years. Dr. McDaniel joined us at South Plains College in 1992 as vice president for academic affairs and student services and went on to serve as SPC’s third president in March of 1994.

“I’m simply ready to retire,” McDaniel told Plainsman Press. “I’m 65 years old and I am ready to retire.”

Dr. McDaniel in his 10-year tenure has marked record enrollments at SPC, the infusion of technology into the college curriculum and operations, and has overseen the budget that helped SPC to grow physically to even off campus locations. He has also merged in many partnerships including the Gateway Partnership with Texas Tech, and ongoing technical and career education partnership with the Lubbock Independent School District at the Byron martin Advanced Technology, also the expansion to the SPC Reese Center in Lubbock, and partnerships with 44 area public school districts.

McDaniel is among a group of the selected few presidents who have been named National Pacesetter of the Year by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, the largest affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges.

McDaniel told the Plainsman Press that he is leaving behind a very promising board and he has much respect for what he knows they can and will do for this college.

To conclude this board meeting a unanimous vote was made to make Dr. Kelvin Sharp the fourth president of South Plains College.

“There was not a doubt, everyone unanimously agreed that Dr. Sharp is the man for this job,” said Dr. McDaniel.

McDaniel plans to move to east Texas to be back to his home grounds near his children Gary P. and Jana McDaniel of Carthage, Greg and Leanna McDaniel of Overton, and Joanna McDaniel of Austin and four grandchildren, Jonathan, Zackary, Emily, and Adam.

"I hope for no more moving after this," McDaniel concluded in his interview.