Submitted Photo

SPCC board of trustees vice chairman Jarvis Woodburn, left, administers the oath of office to Jerry Thomas as Thomas’ wife, Ann, holds the Bible during a trustees meeting on Dec. 13.

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Dr. Jerry Thomas has been appointed to the South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) board of trustees by Gov. Beverly Perdue. He takes the seat vacated by Lynn Raye, who was appointed to the State Board of Community Colleges over the summer.

Thomas took his oath of office during the board’s meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Retired as superintendent of Union County Public Schools, Thomas is a lifelong resident of the area and has been involved with a number of civic organizations and causes. He is on the board of directors for the local United Way, Red Cross and Smart Start, and has chaired both the United Way and Smart Start boards. He is also a former campaign chairman for the United Way.

Thomas is also co-chairman of the North Carolina Pre-K Committee of Union County, is on the board of directors for the Union County Public Education Foundation and is involved with the Union County Meals on Wheels program.

He is also an Army veteran and an active member of Wingate Baptist Church, where he has served as a deacon and trustee.

Thomas began his education career as a teacher at Forest Hills High School in 1974. He went on to serve 10 years as principal at Wingate Elementary School before becoming assistant superintendent for personnel for Union County Public Schools. He was named deputy superintendent in 1994 and superintendent in 2000. He retired in 2005.

He and his wife, Ann, were high school sweethearts and have been married 40 years. They have two children, Allison Bolen, who is a middle school counselor, and Trent Thomas, a high school English teacher.