Having worked in the University System of Georgia for 24 years, including at least one college similar to Dalton State, Dr. Margaret Venable shouldn’t have any trouble making the transition to interim president come Jan. 1.
“I think she’s going to bring a good perspective from the different institutions where she has worked, but she understands where Dalton State is because she has been in the system and is at Gordon State College, which is similar to Dalton State,” said Dr. Andy Meyer, interim vice president for academic affairs. “She has a good knowledge of the system. She’s also thoughtful and calm. I look forward to working with her.”
Dr. Venable, who is currently provost and vice president for academic affairs at Gordon State in Barnesville, will step in as interim president when Dr. John Schwenn retires at the end of the year. Dr. Venable is expected to fill the position through June 30.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to experience and know another institution in the University System as well as another community in Georgia,” she said. “I have been in Georgia since the fall of 1983, but most of my time has been in the Atlanta metropolitan area. I have been fortunate enough to have served several institutions and communities now across the system and state. I am familiar with the high quality academic opportunities at Dalton State, and I look forward to learning how Dalton State has achieved such a reputation.”
Dr. Venable holds a doctorate in science education from Georgia State. Her masters and undergraduate degrees are in chemistry from Georgia Tech and Agnes Scott College, respectively.
Having a chemistry background, Dr. Venable is excited to work with faculty members in the science department which are housed in the newly opened Peeples Hall.
“I am pleased with the facilities here,” Dr. Venable said. “I am pleased to see the foundation that’s here. It’s a beautiful community and a beautiful campus. My visit here confirms everything I anticipated to find.”
“More than anything, I like to think I bring to Dalton State my passion for higher education and for serving students,” she said. “I truly believe in the transformative power of education. This is what drives me, and I hope my enthusiasm is contagious.”
Dr. Venable said she loves learning and listening to others and sees every interaction with someone as an opportunity to learn.
“In addition to serving at several schools in the system, I spent a year as an ACE Fellow traveling to other colleges and universities across the country, meeting with people from various types of institutions,” she said. “I was also hosted by Southern Polytechnic State University. I have found it useful to compare how other institutions handle similar issues and I remain in contact with a strong network of colleagues across the US and in South Africa. Having such a healthy network of colleagues can be helpful when a dilemma arises.”
Outside of work, Dr. Venable is a Rotarian and enjoys service opportunities in the community. She also has a 16-year-old son who is a junior at Tucker high School.
“I’m truly honored to be part of the history of Dalton State,” she said. “I’m honored to be entrusted with Dalton State, even on an interim basis. I look forward to meeting and getting to know the campus community and the greater Dalton community.”