Gallatin News - Dr. Orinthia Montague – president of Vol State in Gallatin has died, according to a press release from the Gallatin school.
“With tremendous sadness, we learned this morning of the untimely passing of Dr. Orinthia T. Montague, President of Volunteer State Community College,” said Karen Mitchell, vice president for resource development at Vol State. “The Cabinet is in the process of notifying employees and community members. We ask that you please keep Dr. O’s family and the Vol State family in your thoughts and prayers as we process this as a community.”
“Dr. Montague’s passing is a tremendous loss, not only to the Volunteer State Community but to the entire Tennessee Board of Regents System and higher education. She was a great leader who cared deeply about her students and their success,” TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings added. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband and family and the campus community.”
Montague was chosen by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) to become the fourth president of Volunteer State Community College in July, 2021 following the retirement of Dr. Jerry Faulkner.
Montague was previously the president of Tompkins Cortland Community College in New York.
“Dr. O would be upset with each of us if we didn’t press forward,” Mitchell said. “We will need your help and support in the days of ahead as we continue our mission and Dr. O’s mission of supporting students and doing our part to uplift individuals and the communities we serve. At this point, we do not have any further details but will certainly keep you posted as soon as we know more.”