Gloucester County College president resigns amid financial review

The president of Gloucester County College resigned as the school turned over records to the county prosecutor involving the former school official's "alleged financial actions," officials said Thursday.

Russell Davis, who became the college's sixth president in July 2008, tendered his resignation to the board of trustees.

County Prosecutor Sean F. Dalton said his office had received information about Davis' financial activities Thursday afternoon and was reviewing it.

"No charges have been filed," Dalton said. "This review must be completed before any further statements can be made."

The college, in a statement released by spokeswoman Eileen Shute, said Thursday that it had provided the records to the prosecutor but declined to comment further "in keeping with board policy regarding matters of personnel or litigation."

In his letter, dated Wednesday, Davis wrote: "While I offer this resignation with some trepidation, I focus on all of the achievement and accomplishment over the last four years. I had the opportunity to embark upon an enormous opportunity, worked with some of the most prolific leaders and faculty and staff in our business, and had the opportunity to lead one of our country's best county college's anywhere.

"To the faculty, students, staff and board, I offer my sincerest appreciation for having had the opportunity. I wish you the best in the selection of the next leader of the institution, as I will always have a part of GCC with me wherever I go."

State Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester), a former county freeholder director, recalled a debate at the time Davis was hired about "some questions of his past" related to financial issues when he was in Maryland.

Sweeney supported him at the time, he said Thursday, because "I was a big believer of people having a second chance in life."

Davis was removed in 1998 as interim executive director of the Bowie State University Foundation for fund-raising after allegedly borrowing about $3,800 without authorization from a nonprofit foundation where he had worked earlier, according to published news reports.

He also resigned as vice president of student and academic services at Bowie amid accusations that he had lied about receiving a master's degree and doctorate in education, the news reports said.

Sweeney wasn't familiar with the current allegations but said Davis had done a good job. "I was a big fan of Russell's," he said.

Gloucester County College was at risk of losing accreditation and morale was down when Davis was appointed, Sweeney said. After he came on board, enrollment and morale increased and the school passed accreditation with "flying colors."

The Gloucester County government said in a statement Thursday released by spokeswoman Debra Sellitto that the college was "an autonomous institution with its own board of trustees; however, the county does expect and insist upon a full and thorough investigation."

"We realize that even the slightest perception of impropriety when it comes to a public institution is troubling," the statement said. "We entrust that the board of directors will maintain the day-to-day operations of the college so there is no interruption of services provided to the students."

Republican County Freeholder Larry Wallace said, "It's a sad day for the students and faculty of Gloucester County College to learn of the events that are currently unfolding."

"I was quite frankly stunned to find out that Dr. Davis has had a history of some troubles in other school systems that I was not made aware of," he said. "It is proper and appropriate for authorities to do a thorough investigation and let the chips fall where they may. . . .

"You have to be judicious when you give someone a second chance. But the president of a college may not be the best place for someone with a history of financial troubles."

Before becoming president, Davis was the school's acting and interim president for a year and, before that, vice president of student services. The college has more than 6,000 full- and part-time students in degree programs and about 10,000 in continuing-education classes.

According to his professional biography, Davis, a Wilmington native, was raised and educated in the New Castle County school system and completed his bachelor of arts degree in English education at Hampton Institute in Virginia in 1980.

The biography says he received his master of arts degree in counseling psychology from Hampton in 1982 while teaching English in public schools in Newport News and Virginia Beach, Va.

In 1992, Davis became vice president of student and academic services at Bowie State, in Bowie, Md. He also served on the faculty of several community colleges in Maryland, including Prince George's Community College, Frederick Community College, the Community College of Baltimore County, and Cecil Community College.

In 2002, Davis joined Morgan State University in Baltimore as a full research scholarship recipient and received the doctor of education degree in higher education.

The Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce recognized Davis as its 2009 businessperson of the year for his excellence in services, ethics, innovation, and communication to residents and business across the county.

During Davis' leadership, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education reaffirmed accreditation of Gloucester County College through 2018.

On Thursday, the campus was busy. Many students enjoyed the sunny spring weather between classes. Nothing about Davis' resignation had been posted in any of the buildings.

"If Dr. Davis did do these things wrong, it is embarrassing, and he is right to resign," said Maria Gosnell, 21, a second-year student from Mantua. "But I have had a good experience here and hope that all this doesn't make it hard for me to complete my associate's degree and go on somewhere to get more education. Students can't afford to have any black marks these days."

Martin Johnson, 19, a first-year student from West Deptford, said that if financial improprieties were found, "it doesn't look good for us, so I would want someone new as president."

"There are a lot of good things going on here, and I don't want that to change," he said. "It is the least expensive option for me right now, so it is important that it is also a good option."

The resignation "is at least annoying, but I don't think it is devastating," said Gary Young, 22, a first-year student from Franklin Township. "The teachers here so far have been good."

"I just hope they fix things," he said, "so it doesn't look like I went to a mediocre place when I look for a job or to go to more school."