PASADENA, Texas – After 37 years with San Jacinto College, including 25 as the Central campus president, Dr. Monte Blue will take advantage of the College’s early exit program and will say farewell to an institution that has meant so much to him for so many years. Officially, Blue left his post on January 31, 2008, but will remain as the leader of the Central campus through the remainder of the spring semester.

Dr. Monte Blue

What he’ll do after he leaves, however, is still to be determined. The avid artist and family man is considering his options, and hasn’t ruled out teaching art or setting up a studio. “When I first came here, I was an easel painter,” commented Blue. “I haven’t been working on that for awhile, so I might set up my studio again. I’ve been involved in art ever since I was in junior high.”

Blue began his career in education at San Jacinto College. After receiving his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Texas, Blue arrived at the College in 1971 as a faculty member in the art department. He was also the director of instructional media, a position he held for four years. “Basically, I was the person responsible for overheads, slide projectors and those sorts of things,” said Blue. After receiving his doctorate from the University of Houston in 1979, he moved into the position of Dean of Student Services at the South campus before taking a similar role at the Central location in 1981. In 1983 he was named president of the Central campus.

Blue’s colleagues have high regard for the man who has directed the Central campus for so many years. “Working with Dr. Blue has been a privilege for me,” said Dr. Bill Raffetto, Vice President of Enrollment Services at San Jacinto College. “Monte is a quiet leader who deeply cares about students, employees, and San Jacinto College. To put it simply, he is the best.”

Throughout his time at San Jacinto, Blue has seen the College grow leaps and bounds. When he first arrived, the institution was housed on a single campus in Pasadena. San Jacinto College now has three campuses and seven extension centers serving the communities of east Harris County. The student population has grown from about 7,000 to over 25,000.  Blue has enjoyed watching the College District expand to continue to meet the needs of this community. “We’re providing education at an affordable cost,” noted Blue. “Our athletic and extra-curricular programs have grown.  CPD (Continuing & Professional Development) is a big program today, and we’ve added so many new buildings and facilities to our campuses.”

Throughout his years, Blue has many fond memories of his time at SJC. One of those memories that he is particularly proud of is the effort the College’s faculty and staff made to get the school up and running after Hurricane Alicia blew through Southeast Texas in August of 1983 during a period of class registration. “We had severe damage to the Central campus,” he commented. “The way our faculty and team pulled together to open the College… I am proud of what we accomplished then.”

Blue is also proud of the growth and expansion of the programs at San Jacinto College. For example, when he first arrived at the College, the automotive faculty was training students to work in local shops and organizations. Today, the College has major affiliations with companies such as General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Chrysler and BMW. These companies have donated engines, cars, and training so that San Jacinto students are on the leading edge of today’s automotive technology. “Because of their support, we have had literally hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of supplies and parts donated each year so that our students can be trained in the latest technology,” noted Blue.

In addition, Dr. Blue is proud of the other buildings that have been built on the college’s three campuses. The addition of these buildings has allowed SJC to add and enhance programs such as health science and music, and has allowed for more interaction with San Jacinto students through the College’s student services and Interactive Learning Centers (ILC).

Dr. Blue notes that as San Jacinto College has evolved, so has the San Jacinto College student. When he arrived on campus in 1971, most students came directly from high school and were of the traditional college age. Today, SJC serves students of all ages with all backgrounds, including those who may be several years removed from school and in the workforce who are looking to change or better their careers. “We’re dealing with both the traditional college-aged student and the non-traditional student,” noted Blue. “We’re continuing to expand our mission.” Dr. Blue contends that attending a community college has its advantages over large, four-year universities. He praises the low student-teacher ratio and class size, and the fact that at San Jacinto College full-time and adjunct faculty teach the courses, not graduate students. He believes in the mission of San Jacinto College and the effectiveness of community colleges.

Gwen Tilley, a retired faculty member and administrator at San Jacinto College arrived at the school around the same time as Dr. Blue. Tilley felt privileged to have had the opportunity to work with him. “I found in all matters requiring professional judgment, his decisions were made in the best interest of the students,” commented Tilley.  “Dr. Blue is the consummate professional whose leadership priorities have always been academic excellence, quality and high standards.”

When not at San Jacinto College, Blue is an active member in the community. He has served as past president of the LaPorte–Bayshore Chamber of Commerce, the Southmore Medical Center, and the LaPorte Rotary, and has served on the boards of the San Jacinto YMCA and Economic Alliance Houston Port Region. He is looking forward to spending more time with his family, including his four grandchildren.

Having served as president of the Central campus for 25 years, Dr. Blue has learned many things, taken part in too many College events to mention, and has made lifelong friends. He leaves his post with the following advice for his successor: “I would like that person to know that they are inheriting an institution with strong faculty who have concern for their students, and a good team of administrators,” he said. “We need to continue to meet the needs of the students and to continue to grow the College.”