Creating Success at Western Piedmont Community College

Community servant finds his niche at community college.

In 1968, David Smith graduated from Western Piedmont Community College in business administration and accounting before obtaining his master's degree in social work administration and planning from The University of Carolina at Chapel Hill. The youngest of four siblings, David chose to stay home and attend the local community college because there were quality programs for an affordable tuition and he could stay close to his family during difficult times.

"I made enough money working as a grocery clerk to get a better education at Western Piedmont. It taught me self-discipline, gave my life balance, and I made some lifelong friends" says David. "Community college basically made me who I am today."

In 1972, during an economic recession, David's sister told him about a job opening with the Burke County Department of Social Services, where he will retire in 2009 as the Director.  David says he chose to come back and serve his community because it offered the best of both worlds—close to home and a job he loved.