WPCC Honors Judge Sitton for Decades of Service
Capping nearly 40 years as an influential member of the Western Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees, Claude Sitton was recognized recently during a meeting of the trustees on the College’s campus.
First appointed to the WPCC Board of Trustees in 1977 by NC Gov. Jim Hunt, Sitton has served WPCC as the Board’s Finance Committee Chairman (1979-1980), Personnel Committee Chairman (1980-1988, 1992-1993, 1996-1999), Vice Chairman of the Board (1987-1988) and three times was elected Chairman (1988, 2010 and 2011).
Sitton served as a North Carolina Superior Court Judge from 1980 to 2002 for the 25th Judicial District.
Sitton’s tenure on the WPCC Board bore witness to several WPCC presidents, important campus expansions and substantial changes to the local industrial base and the consequential enrollment and curriculum challenges, said WPCC President Dr. Michael S. Helmick.
“His wisdom, instincts, governance and unwavering dedication to Western Piedmont Community College and its students guided the College through some testing times and have enabled the school to remain one of the top community colleges in North Carolina,” Helmick said. “Rarely is an institution privileged with the impressive level of sustained and valuable leadership contributions that Judge Sitton brought to our school.”
During the June 15, 2015 Board of Trustee meeting when Sitton announced his retirement, he cited the personal satisfaction garnered from his service.
“Most of my career on the bench, I dealt with people who did not do things right so it was great to work on a board with people who were dedicated to helping people do great things,” he said.
“It was a real pleasure to see, first hand, how students used – and continue to use – Western Piedmont Community College as a way to improve themselves,” Sitton added. “It was a great reward to me through the years and I look forward to watching the College continue to improve lives and promote growth in our community.”
Ron Martin, Chairman of the Western Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees also made remarks on Sitton’s invaluable service to the College.
“His style is to make students his top priority along with quality educational training programs and courses,” said Martin. “As a knowledgeable and respected community leader, Claude Sitton has been a vital link between the College and the community. He is the epitome of a college trustee and has served with the greatest degree of professionalism.”
In 2011, Sitton was named Man of the Year by the Rotary Club of Morganton. In congratulating Sitton, then-WPCC President Dr. Jim W. Burnett wrote, “His involvement with Western Piedmont far exceeds his trustee duties. Judge Sitton frequently attends college events and graduations, remains current on community college issues through state and national seminars, workshops and publications, and eagerly accepts invitations to speak when asked to represent the College. He is greatly admired and esteemed by College students, facility and staff.”
Judge Sitton and his wife, Jo Bailey Sitton, are the parents of two adult children and one granddaughter.
Western Piedmont Community College is situated in the picturesque rolling foothills of Morganton, North Carolina, and has served the citizens of Burke County since 1964. Each year, more than 10,000 students pursue personal enrichment, new skills for a job or career, high school diplomas, college degrees, and transfer pathways designed to improve lives and promote growth in Burke County. For more information visit wpcc.edu.