Savannah Tech: President Rathburn Accepts New Job in Texas

President Bix Rathburn announced this morning that he will be leaving Savannah Technical College in July.  He's accepted a new position as president of Texas A&M University - Texarkana.  Rathburn says leaving Savannah Tech after 7 years is difficult, but that it is time for him to move on.  He's says the thing that brought him to Savannah was the challenge and that's the same thing that brings him to Texas.  Rathburn has worked for 27 years at 2 year colleges and he says it's time to move on to a university system.  (He's also from Texas and his wife's family is there.)

Dr. Rathburn does not know who will replace him and says that the school is looking for someone to fill the position in the interim.  He will leave in July.

College President accepts new position Texas A&M
 
 
SAVANNAH – Late Wednesday afternoon, Dr. C.B. Rathburn was formally announced as the third president of Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
 
“For the last seven years, President Rathburn has led Savannah Technical College through a period of exceptional growth,” says Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner, Ron Jackson. “He has been in constant motion, yet he always found time for his number one priority, his students. Providing those students with the very best that technical education has to offer will be a hallmark of his tenure at the college. Being named the next president of Texas A&M University-Texarkana is an incredible occasion for him to put his leadership talents and vision for education to work for a prominent university system.”
 
In his seven years at Savannah Technical College, Dr. Rathburn has:
·         Expanded Savannah Technical College – four additional campuses, including Liberty County, Ft. Stewart, Crossroads and the brand new Effingham campus, which opened in Fall 2007
·         Increased enrollment – college topped 4,000 students this year giving Savannah Technical College the largest percentage gain in enrollment among the state’s technical colleges since 2001
·         Increased graduates – since 2003, the number of Savannah Technical College graduates has increased almost 30%, ranking the college 9^th among state technical college system
·         Increased career services – more than 225 area businesses have partnered with the Career Center to hire 99.5% of graduating students
·         Increased business partnerships – almost 250 industry volunteers serve on college program advisory boards, working to strengthen instructional programs and ensure currency for graduates in the marketplace
·         Increased community outreach – more than 300 students completed community based training programs, bringing classrooms to the neighborhoods throughout the Savannah area
·         Increased private support – assets have grown from $232,000 to $2,220,000 in the last seven years
 
“I want to thank Dr. Rathburn for his commitment to Savannah Technical College and to the Savannah Community at large. Because of his leadership, the college is well positioned for a very successful future, “explains Don Tomberlin, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “The next steps for our local board will be to work closely with the Commissioner’s office to establish a community based search process. It is important that the next president understands the college’s continual pursuit of excellence to improve education, economic and workforce development in our region.”

Public Statement from Dr. Rathburn
 
Friends and Colleagues,
 
The last 21 days have been among the most difficult in my 27 year career in higher education.  As many of you know, I was offered the opportunity last month to return to Texas and serve as president of Texas A&M University - Texarkana.  This represents a both a new adventure and challenge as well as the opportunity to return to Texas - the home of my family and the birthplace of my kids.  To do so I must leave a community that my family and I have grown to love, appreciate and admire like none other in our lives.  This has clearly been one of the the most difficult decisions of my life. 
 
After nearly three weeks of wise counsel from many friends and a painstaking evaluation of the opportunity, Adrianne and I have decided to return to Texas later this summer.  I will assume the Presidency of Texas A&M - Texarkana mid July.
 
The most difficult part of this decision WAS NOT:
 
·     the beautiful city of Savannah  and the entire Georgia Coastal community    (I believe the most beautiful city in America),
·     it was not the great state of Georgia and the tremendous Technical College System of Georgia;
·     it was not the great supporters, partners and collaborative ventures that Savannah Technical College enjoys;
·     it was not the tremendous leadership locally  and along the entire Georgia Coast as well as our good friends in Atlanta
·     it was not the great business and community support the college enjoys
·     it was not the synergy of the local partners in Bryan, Effingham, Liberty and Chatham Counties
·    it was not even the incredible energy, passion and excitement that this area of Georgia enjoys
 
The most difficult part of this decision WAS EACH OF YOU - our friends, colleagues, supporters and encouragers.  
 
The friendships we have been fortunate to share and enjoy have made the last 7½ years of our lives a true joy.  Thank you to each of you for all you have done to make us a part of this community and to make Savannah forever our home.  Even though we will reside in Texas, Savannah will always be in our hearts and now that we really know the “Hostess City of the South”, it will always be our retreat.  We look forward to returning often to maintain and nourish the great friendships we have here in Georgia.
 
I am proud of the accomplishments of Savannah Technical College over the last seven years.  Our College has grown from a single campus in south Savannah to four regional campuses and has experienced the largest growth in enrollment this decade of any technical college in the state.  This and many other accomplishments were a result of:
 
·         the dedication of a great faculty and staff,
·         incredible members of the local board of directors, 
·         a committed leadership team and board of the Savannah Technical College Foundation, 
·         outstanding support from our local legislative leaders,
·         great partnerships with our city and county  governments and local organizations and agencies
·         the encouragement and contributions of our donors and supporters and
·         the efforts of the thousands and thousands of students served by the college each year.
 
Thank you to you all for making this success a reality and for making Savannah Technical College what it is today. 
 
Godspeed into a brighter future for Savannah and all of Coastal Georgia.
 
Bix