By Johnna

Pinholster

The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — The Technical College System of Georgia approved Dr. Ray Perren as the next president of Valdosta Technical College.

The state board made the announcement following a Thursday meeting.

“We are honored to have someone of Dr. Perren’s caliber lead this college,” said Angela Crance, vice president of economic development at VTC. “The entire faculty and staff are looking forward to having someone with his proven visionary leadership as our president.”

Perren will begin work at the college on June 1, following the retirement of Dr. F.D. Toth. Toth has been interim president of Valdosta Technical College since December 2007.

Perren currently serves as the TCSG assistant commissioner for technical education. He conducts the coordination and management of all technical education curricula and programs for Georgia’s 33

technical colleges as well as all TCSG online instruction, student services, accreditation activities and high school dual-enrollment programs.

From 2006 until June 2008, Perren was the president of East Central Technical College in Fitzgerald.

Perren will now be tasked with merging his former college with his new one.

In September 2008, the Technical College System of Georgia state board approved plans consolidating 14 technical colleges into seven campuses. Valdosta Technical College and East Central Technical College are scheduled to merge in July 2010.

With the merge, a provost will serve the campus at Fitzgerald and the president’s office will be located in Valdosta.

“We are very pleased that Dr. Ray Perren has been chosen as the next president for Valdosta Technical College. Dr. Perren has a depth of experience and education, and is well-respected in the technical college system. He will provide excellent leadership for Valdosta Tech now and once the merger with East Central Tech is complete,” said Ben Copeland, Technical College System of Georgia board member.