Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) will recognize Dr. Valmadge T. Towner alongside
12 other college presidents with the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction during
PTK Catalyst 2022, the society's annual convention, taking place in Denver, Colorado,
April 7-9.
The Shirley B. Gordon Award is Phi Theta Kappa's most prestigious award for community college presidents. It is named in honor of the late Dr. Shirley B. Gordon, Phi Theta Kappa's longest-serving board of directors chair and a founder and long-time president of Highline Community College in Washington.
When Towner learned that he would receive the coveted award, he felt a sense of pride in his institution and joy for the nod toward the CCC PTK chapter.
"Honestly, I felt gratitude to our faculty members who are (PTK) sponsors. They thought well enough of me to make the nomination. I was surprised, and I was happy for the chapter," Towner humbly shared. "The chapter is special to me because I am part of the first inductee class. In my sophomore year here (at Coahoma), we started the chapter. So, it has always been near and dear to my heart—the chapter itself."
The Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction is given to college presidents who have shown strong support for student success on their campus by recognizing academic achievement, leadership, and service among high-achieving students at their colleges. Recipients are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once over the course of their careers.
"I was excited after thirty-two years—finally, some well-do exposure and recognition for the chapter," Towner added.
He sees the organization as a value add for the institution that has had far-reaching positive impacts on multiple levels.
"We have had great advisers down throughout the years and students who have been inducted into the chapter. Being part of Phi Theta Kappa has been so beneficial to so many students, monetarily speaking, as well as through exposure," said Towner.
Dr. Towner has served as the fifth president of Coahoma Community College since July 2013.
He shared that his journey as president has been one of life-changing purpose. He feels a great deal of responsibility to do well and continue the work of his predecessors.
"It was quite frankly emotional (when I became president at CCC). You have such a desire to do a good job that it can create somewhat of a feeling of anxiety. But not in a bad way," Towner candidly shared. "You want to do well because you love the school. It causes you to realize how important this assignment is. It's not simply for your own personal checkmark of success."
Towner believes that he stands on the shoulders of the great leaders of the 73-year-old, two-year HBCU. He uses their legacy as fuel to do more and make audacious moves.
"You have a lot of tremendously gifted people who have come through Coahoma. The first president B.F. McLaurin was tremendously smart and courageous. Even those behind him, Miller, Martin, and Presley. They all were true educators," Towner proudly remarked. "They did a tremendously good job for the college. So, you are kind of awe-struck. You want to at least continue what they have blazoned as a trajectory in their careers. You don't want to let your people down."
Throughout his career, Towner has held positions at different levels in the education space. He shared that as a youth, he had aspirations that some might find surprising, not seeing himself where he is postured today.
"By admission, I did not want to be in education when I was in undergraduate school. I did it as a dare to my parents, who did not want me to become a pilot," said Towner with a grin. "They said just try it for a while. But I started liking it; working with students. I've always enjoyed working with people, namely students."
He assumed leadership of Coahoma Community College after performing in numerous administrative and educational positions. Earlier in his career, he served as a college mathematics instructor, head college baseball coach, and assistant college football coach. In the K-12 educational realm, he was employed by Quitman County Schools as a principal and superintendent of education. Before returning to Coahoma Community College, he served as director of pupil services for Desoto County Schools.
Having served as an educator in so many capacities, Towner feels a great desire to make meaningful impacts in the lives of students. He gains much joy in seeing students achieve their dreams.
"When you are able to work with students and see those students develop and grow and come back, they are grateful for whatever little part that you have done, added Towner. "As an educator, you don't know how you are impacting students. All of our students are vacuums that we pour into some way or another. You don't have to do so directly. But there is a feeling of gratification seeing students develop. You take ownership of those students, and sometimes they take ownership of you."
Towner graduated from Coahoma Community College with an Associate's Degree in Computer Science. He also graduated from Alcorn State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics, a Master of Education Degree in Mathematics, and a Master of Education Degree in Administration. Additionally, he received a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. He was conferred a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from the University of Mississippi.
Towner sees the PTK honor as an affirmation of the positive changes that he sees taking place at his developing institution. The proud administrator wants Coahoma to grow and transform into a flagship institution for the CCC five-county service area and beyond.
"I really see us becoming adaptive to the changing times in the way we will deliver our educational goods and services. I see a lot of students being a part of the college but not necessarily frequenting our campus," Towner envisioned.
He spoke about the institution increasing its capacity to do more beyond its gates.
"In every anthropoid in our five-county region, we need to have some way of connecting with them (our constituents), especially if they are 18 and older," he professed. "So, I see that we won't just have physical buildings occupied, but the internet waves will be occupied tremendously by our constituents. Not to mention the facility dreams that we have in place. They're going to happen. They will not all happen under my time, but they are going to happen."
To learn more about Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society click here.