Dr. Darrin Hartness, president of Davidson-Davie Community College, died Jul. 11, at age 54, the Winston-Salem Journal reported.
The former superintendent of Davie County Schools died of cancer, according to his obituary.
A longstanding education veteran, Hartness led a 27-year career in North Carolina K-12 schools. He spent time as superintendent of Mount Airy Schools and Davie County Schools. And later, during his tenure as president, Davidson County Community College changed its name to Davidson-Davie Community College.
“He knew how to bring people around him and unify them toward a common goal and what was best for the children,” said Jeff Wallace, who previously worked under Hartness as associate superintendent of Davie County Schools.