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SJRCC Press Release
October 2008
Dr. Robert L. McLendon Jr. retires after 36 years as President
This spring, hundreds of students will don the royal blue caps and gowns, adjust their tassels and walk across a stage before family and friends to receive their degrees knowing little of the man who has brought them and countless others the opportunity to become the nurses, teachers, officers and leaders of tomorrow.
On October 31, 2008, Dr. Robert L. McLendon Jr. will sign his last check, compose his last memo and hold his last meeting for an institution he has painstakingly developed and nurtured for the last 36 years.
When McLendon arrived at the Palatka Campus in 1966 as the Dean of Academic Affairs, the sparse buildings and surrounding dirt roads were only a sign of potential to the 29-year-old Marianna native. The College's true potential would slowly begin to surface in the years following McLendon's appointment as SJRCC's third president in 1972 when it received the state appropriations to build the Florida School of the Arts and add a second location in Orange Park.
FAREWELL
McLendon's final day as President ended with a heartfelt farewell before faculty, alumni, family and friends. McLendon's remarks reflected his memories of and gratitude toward his family, SJRCC Trustees, former colleagues and incoming President Joe Pickens.
Melissa Miller announced during the ceremony that $10,000 was raised in his honor toward a scholarship to benefit one of McLendon's favorite programs, Florida School of the Arts.
McLendon closed the ceremony acknowledging the audience for their attendance and support. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart," he said. "Looking out I see the dedicated faculty, staff and students who give the very essence necessary to make the College the outstanding academic success it is," adding with a nod to Pickens that he would take the calls until midnight.
MORE HISTORY
The addition of FloArts and the Orange Park location convinced McLendon that he would not only make SJRCC his career, but would also make Palatka his home. "I felt this was an excellent place to raise a family, and my children loved it here," McLendon said.
The Orange Park location would later expand from a few portable buildings into a full-service campus in 1989, including the $21-million Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts in 2004 and the $12-million, two-story health-sciences facility in 2008.
McLendon's vision for St. Johns County included the beautiful St. Augustine Campus in 1996, the criminal justice center in 2003 and a new health-sciences facility planned for 2010.
Perhaps one of McLendon's finest achievements is retiring from a College that is free of debt. "We're in good shape. We're as good as it gets," McLendon said. "There's not a school in the state that is as well taken care of, ...is as comprehensive, or is as financially secure as St. Johns River Community College," he said. "We know what to do. We know how to do it."
REFLECTIONS
Annette Barrineau, Vice President for Administrative Affairs, said, "There has never been a dull moment working with Dr. McLendon for the past 19 years. His absolute love for St. Johns and the communities it serves has been evident every day," she said. "His leadership style, vision and the continuity of his presence has had a profound impact on the College and the Florida Community College System. I will miss his leadership, but especially his enthusiasm and positive outlook on life."
Melissa Miller, J.D., Executive Vice President, said that going to work for McLendon was one of the best decisions she ever made. "He gave me a wonderful opportunity to work for a College that I love. I earned my associate degree from St. Johns, so I was aware of the wonderful educational opportunities the College offered - due in many ways to his leadership. During our years of working together, we undertook many challenges and saw the College enjoy wonderful success. We cried together at times, laughed together more and had fun while working hard. He has been not only a great boss, but also a wonderful friend. He has my friendship, loyalty, love and respect," Miller said.
Caroline Tingle, SJRCC Vice President for Development and Governmental Affairs, said the College celebrates McLendon's extraordinary success. "He has shaped the College into what it is today. He is a leader; he is a visionary, and he has made a lasting impression on so many people, including me," Tingle said. "I will treasure my years of working for and with him. He is one of a kind."
Bert Whitaker, J.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs, said he first met McLendon in 1969 when he was hired for a summer job as a groundskeeper. "We declared war on sandspurs and we won," Whitaker said. Whitaker's relationship with McLendon would continue throughout his years as a student, faculty member and administrator. "He saw something in me that I didn't see in myself, and that gave me confidence. He continued to show an interest in me over the years which led me back to the College to teach," he said. "In the short time I've been in administration, I've seen up close his knowledge, wisdom and deft hand in dealing with people."
 Gilbert Evans Jr., J.D., Ph.D., Vice President of Student Affairs, also knew McLendon as a student. "He is one of the men I admire and respect most; for he is a scholar, a leader and a gentleman," Evans said. "His highly successful 36-year career is prima facie evidence to prove that Dr. McLendon is a man of extraordinary vision, impeccable character and unquestionable resolve. It has been a pleasure to work with him."
After 44 years in the community college system and retiring as the most senior president in the community college system, McLendon said what he will miss most is, "the professional relationships from within the staff and the activities that have come out of Florida School of the Arts, Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts and our athletics."
Visitors and students may walk around campus and see the proof of McLendon's presence and all that he has done for the College; however, McLendon admits the favor has been returned, with, "the inspiration of seeing many highly successful students come out of this College which we have created," McLendon said.
SJRCC Trustee Larry Lancaster - who was a student at SJRCC when McLendon began - commented during McLendon's last Board meeting on how powerful McLendon's presence truly was. "There were two things that you could count on during the last 36 years," Lancaster said. "The sun would always rise, and Dr. McLendon was always on campus."
  
CENTER COLLAGE PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Top left - Putnam County Commissioner Hermon Somers presents McLendon with a flag that was flown over the Putnam County Courthouse. The photo also shows the artwork given to McLendon painted by FloArts student Merari Melendez.
Top right - Melissa Miller presents McLendon with a shirt from the maintenance/groundskeeping crew - another personal favorite of McLendon.
Bottom left - SJRCC Trustee and Chairman Bunky Roberts presents McLendon with a resolution naming him president emeritus.
Bottom right - Incoming SJRCC President Joe Pickens re-presents McLendon with a Civil War collage inscribed with a new, personal farewell.
Return to SJRCC home page.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Kessler
SJRCC Director of Public Relations and Publications
5001 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, FL 32177
(386) 312-4020
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