The inauguration of Dr. Bryan Renfro as the seventh president of John Wood Community College will take place on Friday, November 3, at 3:30 p.m. in the Mary Ellen Orr Auditorium of the Paul Heath Community Education and Fine Arts Center on the Quincy campus.
The ceremony will formally install Renfro as JWCC’s new president, mark a new era in the College’s history, and will focus on the impact of a college president in relation to student success and community advancement.
JWCC Board of Trustee Chair Bob Rhea will present Renfro with the Presidential Medallion, a traditional academic symbol of the authority and responsibility of the college president. The medallion signals the beginning of a newly appointed tenure in office and is worn for commencements and other occasions when academic regalia are appropriate.
Featured speakers will include Kaydence Gregory of Bluffs, JWCC’s Student Trustee, Kyle Moore, JWCC alum and president of the Great River Economic Development Foundation, and Dr. Juan Mejia, president of Tyler Junior College (TJC) in Tyler, Texas. Mejia became a friend and mentor to Renfro during Renfro’s tenure as Associate Vice Provost of Academic and Workforce Affairs and Dean of Professional and Technical Programs at TJC. Renfro will deliver an address upon his investiture and acceptance of the symbol of office. JWCC Board of Trustee Vice Chair Andy Sprague and Secretary Paula Hawley will offer welcome and closing remarks. Faculty Member of the Year Matt Carey will serve as macebearer and Staff Member of the Year Doug McQuern will carry the Presidential Symbol of Office in the procession.
The JWCC Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Bryan Renfro as John Wood Community College’s seventh president in January of 2023. Prior to becoming President of JWCC, he was Vice President of Academic Instruction at Paris Junior College in Texas. Other previous higher education experiences included Associate Vice Provost of Academic and Workforce Affairs and Dean of Professional and Technical programs at Tyler Junior College, Dean of Business and Public Services at Hawkeye Community College, and Assistant Dean at Colorado Mountain College.
Throughout his career in higher education, Dr. Renfro has taught courses in anthropology, criminal justice, and education. He holds a doctorate from Iowa State University in Higher Education Administration with an emphasis in Community College Leadership, a master’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Arkansas and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Tennessee.
Renfro follows six previous presidents to serve JWCC throughout its nearly 50-year history. Dr. Paul Heath was the College’s first president and served from 1975 to 1987. Heath was followed by Dr. Robert Keys who served from 1988 to 1996. Dr. William Simpson began as JWCC’s president in 1997 and served until 2008. Dr. Thomas Klincar served as JWCC’s fourth president from 2008-2011. Longtime Vice President of Student Services Dr. John Letts became the College’s fifth president in 2011 and served until his retirement in 2014. Michael L. Elbe was chosen as JWCC’s sixth president, and his tenure spanned from 2014 to 2022.
A reception will follow the inauguration in JWCC’s Heath Center lobby and Clocktower Courtyard. The event is open to community members who RSVP to Leah Benz, Renfro’s Executive Assistant, at lbenz@jwcc.edu or 217.641.4102.
