August 16, 2007
Williamson to Retire from Northeastern Technical College

Dr. James C. “Jimmie” Williamson announced today his resignation as president of Northeastern Technical College effective January 1, 2008.  Williamson, who has been the college’s president since 2003, will retire from service after 26 years as an employee of the State of South Carolina. 

Williamson will become the regional president of Agape Senior of the Pee Dee, a new division of Agape Senior which will be located in Cheraw.   Agape Senior, based in West Columbia, S.C., provides long-term and palliative care of senior adults in a faith-based environment.

“While I am excited about the opportunity to work with such a rapidly growing company, I feel some sadness leaving behind a career that has challenged and motivated me for so many years,” he said. 

Williamson has more than 26 years of experience in higher education, having worked in public, private, two-year and four-year educational institutions.  He has been with the South Carolina Technical College system since 1989.  He has also served in numerous leadership roles within the Technical College system and in the higher education community in South Carolina.  Williamson came to Northeastern Technical College after serving as president of Williamsburg Technical College in Kingstree, S.C. 

“I quickly learned to love the communities and people served by Northeastern Technical College,” he said.  “And I look forward to watching how the college will continue to grow and successfully meet the varied needs of residents in Chesterfield, Marlboro and Dillon counties.” 

During his tenure at Northeastern Technical College, two new certificate programs have been developed and the planned associate degree in nursing program became a reality, admitting its first class this fall semester.  Also during his tenure NETC’s community campuses in Bennettsville, Dillon and Pageland have become important access points to higher education in their respective communities.  Additionally, the NETC Foundation has been revitalized and expanded while the college’s ten-year accreditation process is nearing successful completion.   

Williamson attributes theses accomplishments to the support he has received and the dedication of the employees at Northeastern Technical College. 

“The faculty and staff are extremely dedicated to the success of our individual students,” he said.  “But they are also dedicated to areas that we serve in a way that will continue to enhance the economic atmosphere of our region.”

Agape Senior was founded in 1991 with the company’s original campus located in West Columbia, S.C.  Since then, the company has rapidly expanded to other communities including Rock Hill, Laurens, Conway and Garden City, S.C. Establishment of services in the Pee Dee has been a long range, strategic goal of Agape Senior. 

“I have an academic background in gerontology, so it seems a natural progression to bring my skills and expertise to a company that values patients, families and the quality of life during the autumn of one’s life,” said Williamson. 

Gerontology is a branch of science that deals with aging and the challenges associated with an aging population. 

“I will miss working with the NETC family, but I will remain in the area working with a I a company that is adding to the economic well-being of the Pee Dee region by creating jobs and economic opportunity,” he said.  “And like the mission of Northeastern Technical College, I will still be working to add quality of life to the residents of this region.”  

The vision of Agape Senior and Agape Community Hospice is focused on a model of integrated services that can assure responsiveness and quality of service for residents and their families. As part of their focus on integrated services, the company also provides physical, speech and occupational therapy, in-house pharmacy services, medical equipment, ambulance and transportation services, and physician services.

“Dr. Williamson’s experience and academic training in the field of gerontology, education leadership and his extensive knowledge of the Pee Dee area uniquely qualify him for this new role” explained Rev. G. Scott Middleton, CEO of Agape Senior.  “We are indeed fortunate to have someone of his caliber leading our expansion efforts out of Cheraw and into the Pee Dee region.”

Dr. Williamson and his wife Kim, along with their sons Jake and Jordan, will continue to reside in Cheraw. 

For more information about Agape Senior, visit www.agapesenior.com.  For more information about Northeastern Technical College, visit www.netc.edu

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