Hayes to Retire as Provost Emeritus at TJC
Posted/updated on: November 24, 2014 at 2:19 am
TYLER — After a 38-year career in community college education and administration, Tyler Junior College Provost Dr. Homer “Butch” Hayes will retire in early 2015. TJC President Dr. Mike Metke made the announcement to TJC faculty and staff this week and bestowed Hayes with the title of “provost emeritus.” “The title of ‘emeritus’ is only given to a person of outstanding merit,” Metke said, “and it is most appropriate to recognize Dr. Hayes in this way, for his many outstanding contributions to Tyler Junior College.” For now, Metke said, there is no plan to initiate a search to replace Hayes. Instead, day-to-day operations in the academic affairs office will be transferred to Dr. Juan Mejia, TJC vice president of student affairs. In January, a transition period will begin and Hayes will begin transferring his provost duties to Mejia, who will become acting provost and assume duties of both academic and student affairs. Hayes will officially leave his post in March 2015.
Hayes joined TJC as interim provost in October 2008, after retiring as president of College of the Mainland in Texas City. He was named permanent TJC provost in January 2009. “I wasn’t ready to leave higher education when I left Texas City,” Hayes said. “The TJC opportunity arose and I knew that I could be of help here. I had more work to do.”
Metke said, “We were extremely fortunate to get someone of Butch’s caliber at TJC, and he has provided us with valued, critical expertise during the past six years. He will be missed for his expertise as well as for his friendship and collegiality.”
As TJC’s chief academic officer, Hayes oversaw the extensive process of reaffirming TJC’s accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in 2010. Also in 2013, Hayes led the charge in raising the college’s national profile by making TJC part of Achieving the Dream, a nationwide initiative whose sole mission is to improve student success and college completion.
Hayes and his wife, Ampie, plan to relocate near family in the San Antonio area. “We look forward to the arrival of a new grandchild in the spring, as well as making some new memories with our grandchildren and knocking out few bucket list items,” Hayes said.
