Retiring RCC Board of Trustee Has Long History with College

After more than 22 years of service, Richmond Community College Board of Trustee Member Bert Unger has announced he’ll not be seeking a re-appointment to the board.

 

Unger was recognized at RCC’s Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday and granted the status of Trustee Emeritus for his many years of service on the board.

Unger’s final meeting was June 2. He said he chose to step away to make room on the board for Joe Kindley, who Unger feels will bring fresh ideas and energy to the board.

 

“I would really like to thank the Richmond County Commissioners for having the faith to keep reappointing me to the position all these years,” said Unger. “I hope I have served them well.”

 

Unger has a long history with RCC, from being one of the first graduates to receive an associate to being instrumental in the planning and development of RCC’s Cole Auditorium.

 

Richmond County Board of Commissioners Chairman Kennetth Robinette expressed tremendous pleasure with Unger’s representation on the RCC board.

 

“Mr. Unger is a true public servant who was very devoted not only to RCC, but to the county that he very much loves,” said Robinette. “We could not have asked for anyone to represent us with anymore passion, love and devotion than Mr. Unger has for the past 23 years.”

 

RCC President Dr. Dale McInnis said Unger has also been a tremendous asset to the growth of the College.

 

“Bert Unger personifies public service, and RCC has greatly benefited from his service and leadership these past 20 years,” McInnis said. “Bert led us through many construction projects as chair of the Building and Grounds Committee. On a personal note, his friendship and good counsel mean a great deal to me, and I know will be able to count on his support even after he leaves the board.”

 

A native of Pennsylvania, Unger moved to Hamlet in 1960 to take a job with The Hamlet Messenger as a photographer and engraver. He later joined the staff of the Richmond County Daily Journal in 1967, retiring 31 years later as managing editor of the paper.

 

In 1974, Unger enrolled in classes at Richmond Community College and graduated with high honors in 1976 with an associate degree in General Education. He was a member of the first class to receive associate degrees from RCC.

 

“Prior to 1976, students would have to transfer to the University of North Carolina-Pembroke or somewhere else to get an associate degree,” said Unger, who maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while enrolled at RCC.

 

Unger wasn’t the only RCC trailblazer in his family. His granddaughter, Cameron, was a member of the inaugural Richmond Early College High School (REaCH) class, and his grandson, Ryan, is enrolled in RCC’s premiere Electric Utility Substation and Relay Technology program.

 

Unger’s wife, Barbara, also attended RCC.

 

“RCC has made a difference in my family’s lives, just like it has so many others from Richmond County and the surrounding areas,” said Unger.

 

A proud alumnus of RCC, Unger has had the opportunity to guide RCC’s development since 1992 when he was appointed by the Richmond County Board of Commissioners to fill a vacancy on RCC’s Board of Trustees.

 

Unger spent the bulk of his time on the board as chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee. He said his proudest accomplishment was overseeing the construction of the Robert L. and Elizabeth S. Cole Auditorium.

 

“Building the Cole has allowed us to bring a lot of culture to the county,” said Unger. “I feel in many ways it has helped unify the county.”

 

During his nearly 23 years on the RCC Board of Trustees, Unger has worked with four college presidents.

 

“All had different personalities and ideas,” Unger said. “But I believe they all were exactly what the College needed at the times they served.”

 

Unger said RCC’s current president, McInnis, is one of the most well-rounded college leaders with whom he has worked.

 

“Dr. McInnis has a very strong background in higher education, which is important, but he also has vision. And his number one priority is, and has always been, the students, which is where it ought to be,” Unger said.

 

Unger said because of McInnis’ vision and the dedication of the Board of Trustees, he sees the College destined for continued success.

 

“I think you can already tell a lot about the College’s reputation and how well it’s respected for providing a good education and putting people to work by the number of people from outlying counties who are choosing to travel here to take courses,” Unger said.

 

 

Along with serving on RCC’s Board of Trustees, Unger has also been president of the Hamlet Jaycees and Hamlet, Cordova and Pee Dee Lions clubs, as well as District Governor of Lions Clubs International.

 

He was elected to Hamlet City Council from 1984-91 and again from 1994-2001, serving nine of those 14 years as mayor pro tem.

 

He has also been president of the RCC Foundation, chairman of the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce and Richmond County Tourism Development Authority, and North Carolina State Commissioner for the 16- to 18-year-old Babe Ruth League.

 

Among his many awards and recognitions, Unger was named Rockingham Civitan Club Citizen of the Year in 1998 and Richmond County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2006.