Blue Mountain Community College invites the community to a farewell celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 30, for President Cam Preus.
Preus will become the executive director of the Oregon Community College Association (OCCA) in Salem. Her last day as BMCC president is Oct. 31.
The celebration will take place in the Student Union in Pioneer Hall on the Pendleton campus from 5-7 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Preus has served as BMCC’s president since 2013, when she was hired to replace John Turner, who retired.
Preus led the effort to a voter-approved $23 million capital construction bond in 2015, and oversaw the construction of three new buildings and renovation of others to expand student programs and improve safety. Among her accomplishments was the expansion of Career-Technical Education (CTE) programs in Morrow County and Hermiston. She represented the College on numerous local, state and national boards and committees, and formed partnerships with numerous organizations and businesses to support College efforts.
In her new role at the OCCA, Preus will represent all 17 of Oregon’s community colleges as the primary voice on legislative and regulatory issues at the state and federal level, advocate state-level leadership for student success efforts, and fosters partnership to further community college interests.
The BMCC Board of Education has appointed Vice President of Student Affairs Diane Drebin as acting president from Nov. 1-14. Dr. Connie Green, a retired Tillamook Bay Community College President who the Board has hired as interim president, will begin her role with the college on Nov. 15.
