Wayne Community College has dedicated the atrium of its Wayne Learning Center in memory of Dr. G. Herman Porter, former WCC president, who passed away in 2019.
A special ceremony was held where Porter’s family, college board members, and WCC past and present employees gathered to remember his life and dedicate the atrium in his honor.
Porter began his career in agriculture education in 1955 and then was drafted into the United States Army. He returned to the field of education after his service, working to help establish the North Carolina Community College System.
After a long career in the community college system, Porter became WCC’s third president and served in that position from 1987–1992. He played a vital role in developing the new campus where WCC is located today, leading in the plans and construction of its first several buildings.
Porter’s daughter, Karen Porter Burnette, spoke during the ceremony about her father’s life and the leadership qualities he possessed. She said his life came “full circle” as he was a Wayne County native who returned to his community as president of WCC.
Burnette said the atrium is the perfect place to recognize her father’s achievements. “One of the principles he lived by was to celebrate accomplishments,” she said. “This is often done right here in the atrium.”
When Porter retired as president of WCC, he served on the State Board of Community Colleges for 11 years and was board chair for two of those years. He was recognized as one of the two longest employees of the community college system and was a recipient of the I.E. Ready Award, the highest award bestowed by the State Board.
Porter was also presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2015, the highest honor awarded by NC’s governor.
WCC President Patty Pfeiffer said that although she never worked with Porter, she had the privilege of meeting with him and his late wife, Ruth, several times. Pfeiffer even served as a marshal at Porter’s presidential inauguration since she was an officer of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society at the time.
“I believe Wayne Community College is the college we are today because of Dr. Porter’s strong leadership and foundational experience in building the community college system,” Pfeiffer said during the dedication ceremony.
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.