BLINN BIDS FAREWELL TO KENJURA, SOMMER

  

Blinn not only welcomed two newly elected trustees Tuesday night, it also recognized a pair of board members who combined for more than half a century of service to the College.

Blinn celebrated the retiring board secretary David Sommer and longtime trustee Atwood Kenjura, who both announced in January that they would not seek re-election.

The two were presented resolutions recognizing their leadership and vision from the American Association of Community Colleges, the Community College Association of Texas Trustees, and the Blinn College District. Both trustees received plaques in their honor from Blinn, with Kenjura also receiving a plaque from the Association of Community College Trustees.

Kenjura is retiring after 43 years on the board, first elected in 1976 at the age of 30. His service includes seven terms as Board Chair, four as Vice-Chair, and two as secretary.  Board Chair Charles Moser quipped that Kenjura has been on the Blinn board for roughly one-third of the College’s existence.

A lifelong resident of Brenham and a 1965 Blinn graduate, Kenjura is the pharmacist and owner of Kenjura Pharmacy in downtown Brenham. An active community leader, he was named to the Blinn College Alumni and Friends Hall of honor in 1998.

An emotional Kenjura said the College has seen many accomplishments over his 43-year span, with none of them possible without the work of past and present trustees. He said he believes the College’s biggest accomplishment in that time frame is the student enrollment, jumping from just over 2,100 students to just under 20,000, which he called “really remarkable”.

Kenjura also cited the building of the RELLIS Campus, along with the improvements made to Old Main, the student center, the Dr. W.W. O’Donnell Performing Arts Center, and the Administration Building as noteworthy accomplishments. He also said, while he was disappointed that he couldn’t see the new science building be built during his time on the board, he’s looking forward to having groundbreaking soon.

Kenjura closed by saying it’s been a great 43 years, and he’s “looking forward to Blinn’s continued success and growth”.

Sommer retires after eight years on the Blinn board, including a term as board chair from 2015-2017. He had served as board secretary since May 2017.

A Brenham native and 1975 Blinn College honors graduate, Sommer previously served on the Blinn College Foundation Board, where he held roles as board chairman, treasurer, and chair of the Finance Committee.  In 2010, he was inducted into the Blinn College Hall of Honor for his commitment to the college and the community.

Sommer said it has been an honor and a privilege to serve on this board, and a pleasure to work with members of the community and the College. He said the College has made quite a few achievements, strengthened partnerships and created new ones.

Sommer said, however, that he thinks the greatest achievement has been the various student accomplishments over all the campuses, with “tens of thousands of students that have been successful”. He said the student is the most important part of the College, as there might be beautiful buildings and impressive numbers, but without students there is no Blinn College.

Sommer told the new board members that he believes “Blinn College will be even bigger, better, and grander” with these new trustees.