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Donald Voelter intended on staying for five years after being hired at Blinn College as a business instructor.
That plan didn't quite work out. Instead, he stayed almost four decades, rising to the top spot in the Blinn system.
Colleagues took several hours Sunday to host a retirement ceremony in Bryan and recognize the chancellor for his 38 years of service that ends in December. Another celebration is planned for Nov. 1 in Brenham.
Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, presented Voelter with a Texas flag flown over the Capitol on Wednesday to demonstrate the state Legislature's appreciation for Voelter's service to the state.
Ogden, who has known Voelter since he took office in the Senate in 1997, said it was an honor to be at the reception.
"He was always a great advocate for community colleges and a real force of good," Ogden said.
Brazos County Judge Randy Sims said Voelter will be greatly missed.
Sims said there have been several times that he's looked back after serving on committees with Voelter wondering "how did he know that?" Sims said Voelter did great work during his tenure.
Voelter, who moved from the classroom to higher education administration, was appointed executive vice president of fiscal affairs in 1983 and became president in September 1994. After serving in that role for
14 years, he became chancellor of the college's four campuses. During his time as president, Blinn added the alternative teacher certification program and three technical education programs. Blinn College also saw substantial enrollment growth -- from 9,017 students in 1994 to 15,607 students in 2008.
Voelter cited the construction of the 80-acre Bryan campus -- which has the highest enrollment of all the Blinn campuses -- as the accomplishment he's most proud of over the years. He was, however, quick to point out that it wasn't a solo effort that brought the new campus online in 1997, but that it took several entities working together to accomplish the task.
He served as the president of the Blinn College Foundation, which was established in 1993, and is a member and past regional representative of the Texas Association of Community Colleges.
Voelter said he would teach one more finance class next spring at Texas A&M University before taking his three grandchildren traveling with him in the new travel-trailer he and his wife bought.
"It's hard to believe 38 years have passed," he said, adding that what he would miss the most are the people with whom he worked.
Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Royce Hickman said it's been a "great privilege" to work with Voelter, who demonstrated sharp leadership skills and made a positive impact on the community.
"I've enjoyed his friendship and support," Hickman said.
