The first president of Catawba Valley Community College died Wednesday.
Robert E. Paap, 84, died at Catawba Valley Medical Center.
In 1957, the General Assembly provided money for only five junior colleges and seven industrial education centers in the state. Paap was hired in 1958 to start the school in Hickory, which was called the Catawba County Industrial Education Center when it opened its doors in 1960.
Linda Lutz, vice president of institutional advancement at the school, was hired by Paap in 1976. She said it is because of Paap that the school is a success.
"With his drive and tenacity, and despite the skeptics and the lack of adequate funding early on, Mr. Paap dug in his heels and was determined that Catawba Valley Technical Institute would survive and flourish," Lutz said. "And look at CVCC today."
Darrell Kiser is the senior faculty marshal at Catawba Valley Community College, teaching horticulture and turf grass management. Paap hired him in 1973. He said Paap was always genuine and wanted the best for the students as well as the staff.
"He would walk around campus and visit with the students in the student center, or come by our classes to check on us, to make sure we had the necessary equipment," Kiser said. "He was very fair, and treated everybody equally. He was a great leader."
Debbie Barger was hired by Paap in 1977 to be the college's director of scholarships and financial aid. She said Paap took the time to know those he worked with.
"He was very caring and genuinely interested in the school and his employees," Barger said. "You knew exactly where you stood with him. If you had a problem, you could go and talk with him. He would go and see everyone personally."
Paap was beloved by his students, as well. In 1981, while still at the college, the graduating class dedicated the bell tower to him. There is also a building on campus that was christened with his name after he retired.
The building was initially designed to house continuing education classes, but those programs outgrew the building quickly, said Mary Miller, community relations director. Allied health, graphic arts, imaging and design classes are primarily taught in the building today.
Paap stayed at the school for 30 years, retiring in 1988. The school was preparing to change its name to Catawba Valley Community College.
Incoming President Cuylar Dunbar said Paap helped him tremendously with the transition.
"I started coming over one day a week before I moved here from Tennessee," Dunbar said. "He showed me the back roads and introduced me around and told me what was coming up."
Dunbar said he and Paap met with the committee working on the transition of the school from a technical college to a community college. Although Paap was still the sitting president, he always asked for Dunbar's input, Dunbar said.
"He was a high-class person and a pleasure to work with," Dunbar said. "He was always a strong resource, but never intrusive."
After retirement, Paap continued to be involved with the school. Kiser said Paap came to many of the ceremonies for recognition of employees' years of service to the college, CVCC's 50th anniversary festivities in 2008, and other events.
Current president Garrett Hinshaw said Paap also helped him when he was hired.
"When I was starting, I invited him over, as well as Dr. Dunbar," Hinshaw said. "He explained in depth what was successful and what was not successful. He was a pioneer for community college education. He's the man that started it all. It's his work that's led to the institution serving over 20,000 students."
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