Northeast Texas Community College would like to congratulate President Dr. Ron Clinton for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Mount Pleasant-Titus County Chamber of Commerce banquet on Thursday, Jan. 23rd. Below is the introduction/biography that was featured during the award ceremony. We are so thrilled that Dr. Clinton was chosen for this well-deserved honor!
Dr. Ron Clinton has dedicated more than four decades of his long career to education, leadership, and service, leaving a legacy that has impacted countless lives in Mt. Pleasant and throughout Northeast Texas.
Dr. Clinton’s commitment to this region is truly noteworthy. Over the course of his career at Northeast Texas Community College—which spans nearly 40 years—he has held many key roles - from professor of music, humanities, & philosophy, to his administrative work as Executive Vice-President for Instruction, and since 2017, he has been serving as NTCC’s fifth President. In all of these roles, Dr. Clinton has played an instrumental part in expanding access to higher education for students across an eight-county area. Whether it’s creating new academic and workforce programs, implementing a $20 million campus renovation, or fostering a college culture that empowers students to succeed, his work has helped transform NTCC into a cornerstone of this community.
Education has always been a central part of Dr. Clinton’s life. He holds a Doctorate and Master’s Degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. His love of learning continued through post-doctoral studies in philosophy and art history as well as participation in educational leadership programs like the League for Innovation’s Executive Leadership Institute.
Dr. Clinton’s impact reaches beyond the college campus. He has served on numerous State-wide education committees and boards, college accreditation teams throughout the Southeast United States, and other organizations that have helped shape the future of higher education in Texas…without ever losing sight of his roots right here in Northeast Texas. Through his various leadership roles at NTCC, the college has built enduring partnerships with local businesses, fostered strong community engagement, and sharpened its focus on ensuring that higher education remains accessible to everyone in Northeast Texas.
Some of you may remember that Dr. Clinton started his long tenure at the College as Director of NTCC’s first music department, following his earlier career as a concert pianist performing across the U.S., South America, and Asia. Bringing those skills and his great passion for music to Mt Pleasant, in addition to building the music program, he formed and served as director of the NTCC Community Chorus for the next ten years. He also served for many years as music director at the First Presbyterian Church here in Mt. Pleasant. His passion for music has continued to this day with annual piano performances at the Whatley Center.
An active Rotarian since 1998, he has also earned numerous State and National awards in recognition of his contributions to the field of higher education administration, including the Phi Theta Kappa Texas President’s Hall of Fame, the Carl M. Nelson Administrative Leadership Award for the State of Texas, and last year, the national Shirley B. Gordan Presidential Award of Distinction. But those who know Dr. Clinton best will tell you his greatest accomplishment is his unwavering dedication to his family, to NTCC, the community and its people.
Dr. Clinton is married to Suzan and they share four children between them - Evan, Amy, Costa, and Katie. Dr. Clinton is also “grandaddy” to adorable little Dean who just turned four and one-year old Helena. After his upcoming retirement in June of this year, he and Susan are looking forward to spending more time with family, extensive travels, and “catching up” on the little joys of life.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Ron Clinton -- recipient of our 2025 lifetime achievement award.
