(Monaca, PA) Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) today announced that President Dr. Roger Davis and Associate Dean Dr. Chester (Chet) Thompson, have been named New Pittsburgh Courier Class of 2021 Men of Excellence Award recipients. This honor recognizes Dr. Davis’s and Dr. Thompson’s many distinguished professional and philanthropic achievements.
The New Pittsburgh Courier bestows this prominent award annually to accomplished men who inspire others through their vision, leadership and dedication to the community.
CCBC President Dr. Roger Davis
Dr. Davis is the ninth president of CCBC and the College’s first African American president. Under his leadership, Dr. Davis has transformed the College’s culture and strengthened its status as one of the region’s most respected community colleges. Notably, his strategic leadership of the CCBC Foundation has resulted in more than $8 million in grants and gifts.
“I am proud and humbled to be named among the Class of 2021 Men of Excellence,” said Dr. Davis. “It is truly a privilege to be included among this group of exemplary individuals who do so much for our community. To be recognized by the New Pittsburgh Courier, one of the most historic and prestigious black newspapers in the country, is incredibly special.”
An active community member, Dr. Davis serves as a board member for many local organizations including Beaver County’s March of Dimes, Chamber of Commerce, Educational Trust, the United Way and The Franklin Center. He also serves as a committee member for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and as a board member for EntreEd.
Dr. Davis earned a doctoral degree in Urban Educational Leadership from Morgan State University; a Master of Science degree in Adult Education with Honors from Coppin State College; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. In 2020, he published the book “The 30 Most Powerful Words in the English Language.”
Dr. Chester (Chet) Thompson
Dr. Thompson joined CCBC in 2019 to help lead the School of Business, Arts, Sciences, and Technology. He also is Chair of the college’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. A successful, highly motivated academic, business, and civic-minded professional, Associate Dean Thompson has extensive experience educating and mentoring students, and has received multiple awards and recognition for outstanding business, education, and community performance.
“There is no greater honor and privilege than receiving the respect of the Community College of Beaver County’s (CCBC) colleagues, students, constituents and the Pittsburgh community at large,” said Dr. Thomson. “I am very grateful to the New Pittsburgh Courier for this honor and recognition.”
Dr. Thompson’s extensive community service includes serving as a committee member of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Big Brother through the Mark Twain School’s Big Brothers Program, a Board Member for the Beaver County YMCA, a Trustee of the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, Vice Chair of the Franklin Center of Beaver County and, most recently, as a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Pittsburgh African American Alumni Council.
Dr. Thompson earned a Doctor of Science degree in Information Systems and Communications from Robert Morris University; a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Maryland.
“We are delighted to award Dr. Davis and Dr. Thompson as New Pittsburgh Courier Class of 2021 Men of Excellence,” said Rod Doss, editor and publisher, New Pittsburgh Courier. “Each of the men selected excel at encouraging others through their leadership, making achievements professionally, in and outside of the board room, as well as positively impacting their communities. These exemplary men are lauded as role models for the next generation of excellence and are our business leaders, husbands, fathers, mentors and community champions.”
Dr. Davis and Dr. Thompson, along with their fellow Men of Excellence awardees, are featured in the New Pittsburgh Courier’s April 14, 2021 Men of Excellence Commemorative Edition, and they also will be celebrated in a virtual ceremony on Friday, May 21, 2021.
The New Pittsburgh Courier is one of the oldest and most prestigious Black newspapers in the United States, with a rich and storied history.