by AMANDA WINTERS

Sequim Gazette

Dr. Brinton Sprague will serve as the interim president of Peninsula College starting in February 2012.

The board of trustees on Dec. 6 authorized the board chairman to negotiate a contract with Sprague, who currently serves as special assistant to the president of Lake Washington Institute of Technology.

He will lead the college through a transition period as 10-year president Tom Keegan leaves for a new position as president of Skagit Valley Community College. A permanent president, to be chosen, will begin in July 2012.

‘A fine school’

Sprague, who lives in Port Ludlow, said he was attracted to the interim position at Peninsula College because he believes the school is serving its community well.

Peninsula College is “a very fine school,” he said, offering academics, training, continuing education and cultural programs across the North Olympic Peninsula.

Having spent more than four decades in the community college system, Sprague said it is his passion, his life’s work.

Starting as a tenured faculty member at North Seattle Community College, Sprague later become vice president for educational services at Skagit Valley College and vice president for student learning at Cascadia Community College. In 2004 and 2005, he served as interim president for Cascadia Community College.

Sprague said he is looking forward to working with staff, faculty and the community to provide a smooth transition between presidents.

“The college has its planning well in place and the particular projects that need emphasis and need to be completed within a short period of time are things we should continue to work on,” he said.

Search time line

The board of trustees appointed members to a search advisory committee, which heard public comment from several meetings held throughout the community. The public input, as well as feedback from faculty, staff and students, was reviewed Dec. 12.

Starting Jan. 4, the committee will begin to compile a presidential profile, including desired qualifications, with the help of a search consultant. The profile will be finalized by the board of trustees Jan. 10 and a search announcement will be posted Jan. 11.

Applications will be reviewed and finalists announced Feb. 17. Interviews of finalists will occur through March 9 and the board will announce the new president on March 13.