In Memory of Dr. Orinthia T. Montague, President of Volunteer State Community College
With tremendous sadness, we announce the untimely passing of Dr. Orinthia T. Montague, President of Volunteer State Community College.
“Dr. Montague’s passing is a tremendous loss, not only to the Volunteer State Community but to the entire Tennessee Board of Regents System and higher education. She was a great leader who cared deeply about her students and their success,” TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband and family and the campus community.”
Dr. Montague was appointed the fourth President of Volunteer State effective Sept. 1, 2021. She welcomed her third class of students to the Vol State campuses last month.
Dr. Montague previously served as President of Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden, NY, with branch campuses in Cortland and Ithaca, NY, and part of the State University of New York (SUNY) System.
She earned her Ph.D. in higher education administration at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, a Master of Arts degree in counseling at Lindenwood College and a Bachelor of Arts in interpersonal communication at Truman State University.
Dr. Montague had a distinguished career in higher education. Prior to her service in New York, she was vice president of student affairs and chief diversity officer, and dean of students, at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN. She earlier served at the University of Missouri – St. Louis, including as associate vice provost and dean of students.
The College System of Tennessee is the state’s largest public higher education system, with 13 community colleges, 24 colleges of applied technology and the online TN eCampus serving approximately 140,000 students. The system is governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.