SPCC Unveils Portrait of Retired President Don Altieri

The South Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees unveiled an oil portrait of retired SPCC President Donald P. Altieri during the June 13 meeting in the Cyber Center on the L.L. Polk Campus in Polkton. Altieri served as president of the college from 1993 until 2003.

Prior to the presentation of the portrait, Trustee Chairman E. Lynn Raye recognized Altieri for his unique distinction in North Carolina community college history. Altieri served as the last president of Anson Community College, which was abolished through legislation in 1999 to charter a regional community college serving Anson and Union counties. Altieri then became the first president of South Piedmont Community College, the college formed by the 1999 legislation.

Altieri and his wife, Barbara, were in attendance along with retired SPCC Executive Vice President Lois Crumpler. Prior to the unveiling, Crumpler paid tribute to Altieri. She credited him with having the vision and perseverance to make the new college a success.

“It’s just been an exciting and incredible adventure,” Altieri said of his time at SPCC. He credited the support of the Board of Trustees for his success as president of the college, and assured them the future of the college was bright.

Since his retirement from SPCC, Altieri has remained heavily involved in community projects. He spearheaded the creation of the Rotary Planetarium and Science Center in Wadesboro, the Wadesboro club’s Centennial Project during the 100th anniversary celebration of Rotary International. He was recently named Distinguished Rotarian for 2005-2006 by the Wadesboro Rotary Club.

Altieri currently works as executive director of the New Ventures Business Development and Arts Center in Wadesboro. He also serves as director of Uptown Wadesboro, Inc.