By Charles Loiacono     

Welcome to Donald Astrab 

             It’s been a long time coming. Samuel Ichiye Hayakawa, the celebrated general semanticist, once wrote that no one should remain in the same job for more than 20 years. His analysis of what happens to one who occupies the same seat beyond those years makes for interesting reading.

            We in the AFA have learned that there is a negative impact on those that deal with someone in place for too long. To be sure, Sean Fanelli’s 27 years have been a bit much.

            I have long planned to write the legacy of Fanelli’s tenure as president of NCC. But I have decided to let Fanelli and his legacy go. The piece would be too long and the truth would read like fiction. I think it best for us all to be thankful that he will soon be history.

            Let’s move forward. That brings us to Donald P. Astrab.

            He received a Masters in Public and Occupational Health from the University of Hawaii Manoa and a Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from the same university in 1988. From 1989 to 1991 he was the Water Quality Control Coordinator for the city of Honolulu.

            He returned to the contiguous states in 1992 and joined Brevard Community College as a professor of Chemical Instrumentation where he served until 1999. In 2000 he became the dean for Technical Education. In 2003 he became Executive Vice President and in 2008 he was named Vice President.

That’s Don Astrab the academic. What of Don Astrab the man—the administrator—the leader—the consensus builder—the fund raiser—the mover and shaker? Will he inspire? Will he be honest? Will his word be his bond? Will he bring us all together? Will he engender our support? Will he deserve our allegiance?

Tough questions for one that is being asked to do a tough job.  

My personal take on Astrab is that he is qualified to do the job. His credentials are solid. I thought he interviewed well. He seemed personable, likeable, and self-confident. Regardless of the controversy that followed the dropping out of one of the top candidates, Astrab was definitely considered a top-pick by the search committee.

            What remains is this: will the job make the man or break the man? There is no predicting that. If he has the right stuff, he will blossom. If he doesn’t, he will wither.

            For our part, Donald Astrab will have our full support. We will do everything in our power to support him as he gains his stride. He will soon be surrounded by those seeking what those who surround usually seek. That’s inevitable and comes with the territory. We will not be among them. We will rather wait for the new president to reach out to us. We will be here.

            We wish him success. His success will be our success and the success of the entire college community.