Technical college taps Berry as next president

“Dr. Berry possesses the strategic vision and passion for technical education that will continue to advance COTC’s reputation for high- quality educational programs supporting workforce development.”

The Central Ohio Technical College’s board of trustees appointed John Berry on Monday to become the two-year school’s president, effective Jan. 1.

Berry is the vice president of student affairs and college advancement at BridgeValley Community & Technical College in Montgomery, West Virginia. He previously served as director of student life at COTC and as dean John Hinderer of Central Ohio Technical College

of students for Ohio State University-Newark.

“Dr. Berry possesses the strategic vision and passion for technical education that will continue to advance COTC’s reputation for highquality educational programs supporting workforce

development,” said Board Chair John Hinderer.

Berry will become the second sole president of COTC, which has four campus locations: Newark, Pataskala, Coshocton, and Knox in Mount Vernon. In 2004, Bonnie L. Coe was appointed the school’s first sole president. In January, Coe, 71, announced her intention to retire.

When COTC and the adjoining Ohio State University-Newark were established in 1971, they operated under a single chief administrator. In 2004, the schools were put under separate leadership, although they still share personnel and facilities.