Published: December 16, 2008 11:09 pm      

A fond farewell

Raines, Duncan retiring from Navarro College

Darrell Raines, vice president for finance and administration, will herald the end of 34 years with Navarro College on Dec. 23 when he retires at age 65.

Also retiring from Navarro College after 34 years is Brenda Duncan, long-time business manager. Both careers were celebrated with a reception at the college’s Cook Center Tuesday.

Raines’ first gig with a college in a position as fiscal officer came at Central Texas College in Killeen, right after he finished school. He spent seven years there, and came to Navarro College, serving under Dr. Kenneth Walker, who was president the first 12 years Raines was at Navarro. Raines stayed on when Walker departed, and continued to serve under two more college presidents, Dr. Gerald Burson and Dr. Richard Sanchez.

“I’ve always had the same job, even if the title changed,” he said, laughing. “Navarro College had less than 1,000 students when I got here, which was three months after Dr. Walker.”

A 41-year career in college finance has provided plenty of excitement for Raines, and plenty of hard work.

“I just want to do a few other things, and keep a different pace,” he said about his retirement. “I want to enjoy some different things. I loved the work I did, but it is a lot of responsibility. Many times, I would end up out here on the weekends, because if I do something, I want to do it right — or not do it at all.”

Raines plans to spend lots of time at his ranch in Chatfield, Grave Creek Ranch, where he raises cattle, and at his antique store on Beaton Street, Grave Creek Mercantile. He has always had a love for old things, whether antiques or old buildings.

“I bought that old building downtown, which was built in 1884, and remodeled,” he said. “What a challenge! About 60 to 70 percent of the merchandise is mine, and I also take consignments. The building looks old on the inside and the outside.”

Raines said he will probably take some trips, like the one he made to the New England states in October.

Brenda Duncan arrived at Navarro College in June 1974, “a couple of months after Darrell,” she said. She began as Dr. Walker’s administrative assistant, and served in that capacity for about three years.

“Dr. Walker asked me one day if I wanted to be the business manager ...,” she said. “I owe him a great deal of credit for my career advancement.”

Duncan said the growth and expansion at the college, with several campuses and the explosion in enrollment, have coincided with great transitions in technology. The business office went from using typewriters and calculators to computers, which now cover every campus.

Duncan’s plans after retirement are to catch up on some “back burner” projects at home, spend time with family and friends, and take some driving trips with her husband, Dwight.

“I will still go to lots of Navarro basketball games, and I may become a gym rat!” she said. “Now that work won’t interfere with my sports fan status, it will be a lot easier for me to see soccer, volleyball, basketball, football and baseball!

“I intend to still be very supportive and involved with college events, sports, musical and dramatic events. The college will still be a very important part of my life, because it is a very special place to me.”

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Deanna Brown may be contacted via e-mail at deanna@corsicanadailysun.com