ULLIN, IL - The Shawnee Community College Board of Trustees has announced that Dr. Tim Bellamey of Metropolis will serve as the college's 7th president. The new president will succeed Dr. Larry Peterson, who retires later this year. A search committee, which included faculty, staff, and trustees, launched a comprehensive national search in February.
 
Bellamey was selected from a field of 24 applicants. Each of the finalists were invited to the college for a day of extensive interviews with students, faculty, staff, district residents, and the board of trustees.
 
Don E. Patton, Chairman of the Shawnee Board of Trustees said, "The inclusive presidential search and selection process was comprised of members of the SCC learning community. In the end, we chose Dr. Tim Bellamey. Dr. Bellamey experiences and knowledge of the communities will be an  important asset as the college moves forward and continues to impact the residents in our service area."
 
Bellamey has served the college since 1982 in a variety of positions including adjunct faculty, Literacy Program Coordinator, Director of the Cairo Extension Center, Director of Adult Education, and Associate Vice President of Workforce and Adult Education before being named vice president in 2005. Throughout his tenure at Shawnee he has served on numerous state advisory committees.
 
The future SCC president is a graduate of Meridian High School and received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin. He completed his M.S. from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1995, and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana in 2009. His doctorial major was Education/Community College Executive Leadership. He is a member of the Illinois Association of Chief Academic Officers and the Illinois Council of Community College Administrators.
 
Bellamey and his wife, Penny, reside in Metropolis with their children, Alex and Grace, who attend school in the Massac County school district. Mrs. Bellamey is employed by the Joppa-Maple Grove district as a teacher and counselor.
 
"I am looking forward to working with everyone at the college and the community to provide quality education and community services to district residents. My goal is to assure the college continues to focus on student success and serving the diverse needs of our communities," said Bellamey.