NICEVILLE — A familiar face was missing as Northwest Florida State College’s board of trustees met for the first time since the holidays.
Trustee Paul Foster passed away suddenly Oct. 25, 10 days after the last board meeting of 2013.
“We miss him dearly,” board Chairman Brian Pennington said at the start of Tuesday’s meeting. “It was very sad news when we heard about his passing.”
Foster joined the board in 2009 along with Rachel Gillis and Marijo Strauss. From the start, he earned a reputation as a studious and well-prepared member with a personality to match his colorful ties.
On more than one occasion, Foster played devil’s advocate just to ensure board members considered all options before making a decision.
“He truly just jumped right in when he joined the board,” said Strauss, who is also a family friend.
Foster retired to the area with his wife after working as an educator in Ohio, she said.
Although he represented Okaloosa County on the board, Foster never hesitated to join Gillis at events in Walton County, which she represented.
“He was dedicated and he was always there,” Gillis said.
At Tuesday’s meeting the board unanimously adopted a posthumous resolution for Foster. A copy of it will be given to his family in the next few days, Pennington said.
As part of the resolution, the board approved a $1,000 scholarship in Foster’s name, according to Vice President Cristie Kedroski, who oversees the college’s foundation.
The money came from undesignated funds donated to the foundation and will be given to a student with financial needs, she said.
With Foster’s passing, the board has two empty seats. The college hasn’t heard anything from the Gov. Rick Scott’s office about a new appointee, Pennington said.
Five of the remaining six trustees must attend meetings to have a quorum.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Katie Tammen at 850-315-4440 or ktammen@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieTnwfdn.