Leadership is simply service to others, the Bible tells us almost everywhere, and Mathew says it succinctly, "whoever would be great among you must be your servant," (20:26).
Somehow, when one observes former Texarkana College President James Henry Russell just being himself, another verse of Matthew (25:21) comes to mind, "Well done, good and faithful servant! I will put you in charge of many things!"
He's just that kind of guy. A devout man of quiet faith, James Henry-that's what everyone calls him-wears so many hats, does so many jobs, works so hard at meeting so many needs, that he makes it easy to imagine that the Lord is eager to toss him another oar to pull. Which happened. Russell started the new year as executive vice president of CFO at BWI, which has grown from a retail feed store, started here in 1958 by Bob and Betty Bunch, into a multi-regional lawn and garden concern with eight distribution centers across the Mid-south and Southeast, stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.
Texarkana should always feel grateful to President Russell for hauling the college's cart from a deep and muddy ditch. TC was days from bankruptcy, the faculty dispirited, the buildings dilapidated, and the leadership awash in innuendo when he stepped in seven years ago. What a job he's done.
Tough decisions were made. Successful athletic programs were cut. Positions-some highly paid and unnecessary-were cut. In the end, the ship was righted and motivated faculty and staff were pointed in the direction of excellence.
Even his leaving is a typical James Henry deal, a win for all sides. Replacing him is one of Texas education's rising stars, former Pleasant Grove Superintendent Dr. Jason Smith. He arrives a leader with a long trail of success in his fast-track wake. The college community will soon know what PG quickly figured out. He's the right guy for the right job at the right time.
The two have differing styles. James Henry leads with an eyes-forward, attention-to-detail, disciplined approach, while Dr. Smith is more ebullient and a high-energy motivator who thinks with passion and hopes of an entrepreneur
Underneath, though, they share deep lines of commonality. Both are big thinkers who keep an eye on the future and the area's education needs. Both get the most out of people by establishing a culture of success in which people are challenged to do more than they thought capable while feeling safe in their environment. Both are attentive to financial detail.
Just look what James Henry accomplished in seven short, and at times rough, years.
Today, despite constant, deep and brutal cuts in state funding, TC stands firmly planted in solid financial ground. The books are balanced, the grounds meticulously maintained, enrollment strong, private donations at new heights, buildings are being built, and the student completion rate is the best in Texas.
Not near the highest rate. The highest. The one that sets the bar for all others. Texarkana has benefited. A constant flow of educated and employable people into the workforce is clearly, the greatest reason that Bowie County and Texarkana stand as one of the very few outposts of economic growth between Little Rock and Dallas.
When the landowners of Bowie County voted to place themselves on TC's tax rolls, theirs was a vote of confidence not only in the college but also in President Russell. Make no mistake, his personal credibility was on that ballot just as much, if not more, than the tax rate.
That trust was rewarded with a national honor, 2018 Achieving the Dream Meyer Austin Award, that establishes TC as among the best community colleges in the nation.
With that ground laid, this is a great time to welcome Dr. Smith, a classically educated educator, on the fast track since his undergraduate days. Three years in the classroom, three years a middle school principal, four years a high school principal. Thirteen years a superintendent. In the middle were a few years as co-founder and CEO of a successful Internet start-up, TeacherTube.
His mastery of the principles of teaching and learning is deep. His ability to turn that into policies and programs is splendid. A leader of great personal warmth, Dr. Smith brings to the table a record of empowering great teachers and a deep understanding of what it takes to provide a 21st century education.
He is fiscally prudent, yet imaginative when it comes to finding creative ways to repurpose and maximize existing resources. Fund balances will grow. The community will quickly come to respect him. Faculty will love him. Students will thrive.
Still, Dr. Smith faces challenges. Now that its finances are in order, the college faces major brick-and-mortar issues bringing its aging campus. Many buildings were constructed prior to federal laws mandating access for people with disabilities, and before today's focus on energy conservation. Funding for an estimated $15 million in critical projects must be secured.
Smith, who will give his state-of-the college on Thursday, Jan. 17, is up to the task.