Dr. Larry Dukes: A friend of education and the community
Steve Roush
By Steve Roush
HCP columnist
NOTE: This is Part 3 of a series leading up to the Highland County Historical Society inducting four more members into its Hall of Fame on Aug. 18. This week, we profile Dr. Larry Dukes.
Ladies and gentlemen, Dr. Lawrence N. “Larry” Dukes, who served as president of Southern State Community College from 1995-2007 and later served as SSCC President Emeritus, has certainly had a remarkable career in education and has been extremely active in local community service.
A few of his many community activities over the years include:
• Highland County Chamber of Commerce – Board member since 1997, president in 2000;
• Rotary Club member – 1995 to present, president in 2005;
• Samaritan Outreach Services – board member for seven years, chairman, 2002-2004 (Good Samaritan Award in 2004);
• Leadership Highland board member, chairman 1998-99 (Community Leadership Award in 2005);
• Business Advisory Committee – Hillsboro City Schools, 2000-05;
• United Methodist Church – chair, Administrative Council;
• Community Access TV – board member;
• YMCA Board and Finance committee – 2009 to present;
• US Bank Corporation – Regional Director;
• Workforce Investment Act - board member.
As SSCC president, Dr. Dukes led the college to its first 10-year accreditation in 1996 and a second 10-year accreditation in 2006. During his tenure, Southern State added or renovated campuses in Fincastle, Wilmington and Washington Court House, and completed the Patriot Center on the Central Campus in Hillsboro. He has also been a very active member of the Highland County Historical Society over the years.
“Larry Dukes has had a renowned career in education, marked by significant achievements and contributions that have left an indelible mark on the southern Ohio community, particularly within education and community leadership,” said Dr. Nicole Roades, current president of Southern State Community College.
“Before accepting the president role for Southern State Community College in 1995, Larry had an impressive career in Minnesota. Since arriving in southern Ohio nearly 30 years ago, Larry has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to education, excellence, community engagement and economic viability. Larry exemplifies the qualities of excellence, dedication and leadership.
“Beyond Larry’s professional and civic accomplishments, his character and integrity set him apart as a true role model,” Dr. Roades continued. “He is known for his integrity, leadership, patience and kindness, which have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers, colleagues, friends and neighbors. Larry Dukes has achieved extraordinary success in education and contributed significantly to the growth and betterment of Highland County.”
John Kellis, a Highland County Historical Society member, said Dr. Dukes was instrumental in SSCC taking significant steps forward over the years.
“I have worked with Larry in my employment with the USDA and since as a Finance Committee member with the Historical Society,” Kellis said. “I joined him as a trustee on the reorganized HCHS Board of Directors in 2013. His leadership was demonstrated often during his term. Larry is a community member that is always looked to for his calm, logical and sincere input as a decision-maker. He has also been a consistent donor of his time and financial support. Serving as the president of Southern State Community College from 1995 through 2007, Larry oversaw many of the more significant steps forward by the College and its various campuses and curricula.”
When Dr. Dukes announced his decision to retire as president of SSCC in July of 2006, Rory Ryan, owner and publisher of The Highland County Press and an SSCC Board of Trustees member at the time, wrote, “Larry, my friend, you will surely leave our community college better than you found it. With your leadership, guidance and patience, you have made Southern State Community College the envy of community colleges across the state of Ohio and beyond.”
Avery Elliott said she has worked alongside Dr. Dukes for several years with the Hillsboro Global Methodist Church and he has become “My Favorite Larry.”
“Not only has Larry done great things for us at the Hillsboro Global Methodist Church, but he has done great things for the community with all his years as President of Southern State Community College,” Elliott said. “Larry’s positive characteristics and his willingness to help others make him deserving of this award (of induction into the HCHS Hall of Fame). Larry is highly organized and dedicated in all he does, and because of that dedication, they have impacted our organization and will last for years to come. Larry is highly respected within our community as well as the communities around us.”
“Dr. Dukes was a true visionary, seeing potential in Southern State to equip people for better lives and in so doing, adding value to communities here," said longtime basketball coach and educator Joe B. Stewart. "I enjoyed working with him to institute men’s basketball and a resulting building project that had never gotten off the ground until he cast the vision.
"There is a little known but highly regarded book entitled, 'Make The Big Time Where You Are.' Dr. Dukes encouraged and equipped people and programs that truly made a difference in southern Ohio, and he did so by first doing all he could to learn about the unique qualities of Highland and surrounding counties."
In addition to Dr. Larry Dukes, the 2024 Highland County Historical Society Hall of Fame inductees are Steve Faris, Vicki Knauff and the late Ernie Blankenship.
The recipients will be honored at an induction ceremony Sunday, Aug. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro, followed by a reception at Highland House directly across the street from the church. The public is cordially invited.
For more information on the society or the upcoming Hall of Fame ceremony, please call (937) 393-3392 or email the society at hchistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
Steve Roush is president of the Highland County Historical Society and served as chairman and vice chairman on the HCHS Board of Trustees for two terms, a board member of the Highland District Hospital Foundation, a vice president of an international media company and a columnist and contributing writer for The Highland County Press. He can be reached by email at roush_steve@msn.com.
Pictured below is former SSCC President Larry Dukes.
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