SCC Board of Trustee members take oath of office at July 21 meeting

The Southeastern Community College Board of Trustees gained one new member and a reappointed member at its July 21 meeting at Whiteville City Hall. Brent Watts was sworn in by Clerk of Superior Court Jess Hill, while Dr. Dan Strickland took his second oath of office to the board. Both were appointed by the Columbus County Board of Commissioners, and they will serve a four-year term until June 30, 2030.  

Watts serves on the Columbus County Board of Commissioners as its chair while also serving as Columbus County’s interim county manager. Watts is from Clarendon and works as a farmer. He and his wife, Jennifer Watts, have two sons, Banks and Briggs. 

Strickland is a retired educator and former Columbus County Schools Superintendent. He previously served as vice chair of the Board of Trustees. Strickland is from the Cherry Grove community. He and his wife, Gay Strickland, have two daughters, Elizabeth Blackmon and Paige Smith. 

The trustees unanimously appointed Strickland as chair of the board, and he will serve in that capacity for three years. Joe Hooks served as chair for the past three years and will remain on the board. Dr. Danny McPherson, a retired educator and former Whiteville City Schools Superintendent, was appointed as the new vice chair.  

SCC President Dr. Chris English said that Hooks lead the board with dedication, and he said both Strickland and Watts bring a “wealth of knowledge” to the board. 

“With Dr. Strickland being in the education system for so many years as a superintendent, he is what we need with the K-12 partnership,” English said. “He understands state instruction, what it takes to build programing and what it means to build a workforce pipeline from the K-12 system to the community college system.” 

English explained that Strickland’s experience and background in the Department of Public Instruction and kindergarten through 12th grade sector will “help us tremendously” in guiding the trustees to promote student success.  

“Brent Watts working as farmer means we have someone with boots on the ground who understands agriculture as a small business owner,” English said. “He also represents in our county government as a commissioner, so he will hear our challenges and successes first-hand. He can help us navigate, you know, to what that next thing might be whether in programming or resource allotment.” 

The next SCC Board of Trustees meeting is on Sept. 28.