John talks with Bart Dewitt, ACC alum and board of regents member
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Description
James Bart Dewitt is an ACC alumni who went to ACC when it was still a part of Alvin High School. Later in life after completing his college education he eventually became a member of the school's board of regents.
Publication Date
2022
Document Type
Podcast
Publisher
Alvin Community College
City
Alvin
Keywords
75th Anniversayr, board of regents, ACC history
Disciplines
History
Recommended Citation
Tompkins, John, "John talks with Bart Dewitt, ACC alum and board of regents member" (2022). John Tompkin’s Podcast. 5.
https://archives.alvincollege.edu/john-tompkin-podcast/5
Comments
“Since I’ve been on the board, I feel we’ve come a long way,” said DeWitt. “I still think there’s work to be done, and I’m going to miss having my input. I’ve enjoyed working with the people and the staff. I’ve also served on the board with a lot of good people. I know I’m going to miss it, but the time has come.”
“I would like to have some younger faces on the board,” Swindell said. “I think that’s good for the college. I’m happy to have served on the board as well as those I served with. I’m very proud of the time I’ve served as a regent.”
DeWitt joined the board as a trustee in 1972. Prior to and after he was elected to the board, he served as a math teacher at Houston and Friendswood school districts, retiring in 1994. After watching other elected officials in charge, DeWitt said he decided to join the board because he wanted to help improve his community.
“I figured I could make just as good as decisions as they could using common sense,” he said. “I told myself if I get elected, I’m just going to be who I am.”
In his time on the board of regents, DeWitt has seen drastic changes to the campus. Voters in 1976 approved an $8 million bond issue for the construction of buildings A, B, C and D. The college also added to the gym, purchased land, purchased Building K and constructed Building N, among others. Voters also approved a $19.9 million bond to construct Building S in 2005.
“The college has really expanded,” DeWitt said. “There have been quite a bit of changes.”
DeWitt said there is no one accomplishment that he’s most proud of. What he does take pride in is that the regents were always willing to compromise and keep ACC’s interest at heart.
“We had a board that really worked together, and we were able talk things out and come to agreements that were best for the college,” he said.