During the August 2025 Montgomery Community College Board of Trustees Retreat, trustees were appointed, re-appointed and assumed new roles and duties in their service to the College. Claudia B. Bulthuis of Troy, having served as a trustee since 2008 and Board Chair for 10 years, will continue in a trustee role, with Gordon M. Knowles of Mt. Gilead assuming the position of Board Chair. Knowles has been a college trustee since 2014. Robert D. Harris of Mt. Gilead, originally appointed in 2018, was elected as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. William T. Price, also of Mt. Gilead, continues his service as Board Secretary. Price joined as a trustee

Three Montgomery Community College trustees were re-appointed to the board during the organization’s August retreat. Kerry Hensley, Dr. Katherine Dunlap and Chairman Claudia Bulthuis took their oaths of office, agreeing to serve additional four-year terms as trustees for the College. Shown in back is trustee Gordon Knowles who helped administer the oaths.

Montgomery Community College re-appoints three of its trustees to the College’s Board. Robert Harris, Dr. Philip Jones and Gordon Knowles (all of Mt. Gilead) are shown here with Board Chairperson Claudia Bulthuis (Troy) who administered their oaths of office to serve additional four-year terms.

The MCC Board of Trustees welcomes Tim McAuley to its ranks. Appointed by Governor Roy Cooper for a two-year term, McAuley is a 1985 graduate of West Montgomery High School. He continued his education in Graphic Arts at Union County Technical School in Scotch Plains, NJ and Bloomfield School of Arts in Bloomfield, NJ. From 1986-1994, he worked at Twill Incorporated in Union, NJ as a Pressman Operator. Since 1994, McAuley has been employed by Paperworks Industrial in Mount Gilead, NC as Sheeter Operator, Warehouse Supervisor and currently as Production Supervisor/Scheduler. “I’m really glad to be here,” said McAuley at his first trustee meeting. “I am committed to this county,

Montgomery Community College’s Board of Trustees said a hearty “Welcome back!” to two former trustees. Susan Eggleston and Bill Price have rejoined the college leadership team, having served MCC in previous capacities over the years. Eggleston of Star, rejoins the MCC board after several terms on both the MCC Board and the MCC Foundation Board. She is a retired high school history teacher, and lists the Montgomery County Early College as one of her favorite success stories. Price, of Mt. Gilead, just finished a four-year term as a trustee, and is thrilled to have been re-appointed. He was MCC’s Dean of Instruction in the late 1980s and early 90s. He

Montgomery Community College is pleased to announce the arrival of Mrs. Shyla Hairston to its Board of Trustees. Hairston, a resident of Mount Gilead, replaces George Gilbreath as the newest MCC board member appointed by Governor Roy Cooper. Hairston was approached by a friend about the board opportunity. “He said I should apply, that I had a lot to offer the College and that my work in university settings would be very beneficial to the school,” said Hairston. Hairston has worked for the Art Institute of Charlotte, and for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro. She currently serves in a social work capacity at the Montgomery County

Philip B. Jones, a physician in Albemarle, has joined the Montgomery Community College Board of Trustees. Board Chair Claudia Bulthuis and College President Dr. Chad Bledsoe were on hand to welcome Jones to the MCC family. A replacement to former trustee Dr. Johnny McKinnon, a dentist in Mount Gilead. Jones’ term begins August 2020 and extends through July 2022. Jones is a Mount Gilead native, having been educated in the Montgomery County public school district. After graduating from high school he received his undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University. He graduated from East Carolina University Medical School and went on to complete his OB/Gyn training at Carolinas Medical Center

Though masked and practicing social distancing, Montgomery Community College officials were present for the swearing-in of new trustee Ms. Tawanda Bennett to its Board. Board Chair Claudia Bulthuis and College President Dr. Chad Bledsoe were on hand to welcome Bennett to the MCC family. A replacement to former trustee Paula Covington, Bennett’s term begins August 2020 and extends through July 2024. A resident of Candor, Ms. Bennett is a graduate of Montgomery Community College, Gardner Webb University and Webster University. She holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, and is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist in the state of North Carolina. Ms. Bennett is contracted by Dr. John Woodyear