BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

The former president of Hillsborough Community College has died following a two-year battle with cancer. Dr. Gwendolyn W. Stephenson passed on Thursday.

Dr. Stephenson was the longest-serving president of Hillsborough Community College. She was hired in 1997 and during her tenure, was recognized as bringing stability back to the institution.

Dr. Ken Atwater, current President of Hillsborough Community College and Dr. Stephenson’s successor said, “Dr. Stephenson brought extraordinary leadership and thoughtful guidance to HCC and propelled the college into becoming one of the most admired and respected community colleges in the country.

“Her strong sense of fairness and ethics and her unwavering commitment to excellence, transformed this institution and made it the pillar of quality education that it is today. At a time when many would shy from the challenge of running this well-storied college, she ran toward it and met it head on with grace and dignity.”

During her tenure as President, she is credited with several accomplishments including the opening of the fifth college campus, creation of more than 170 new academic programs, the opening of the college’s student apartment complex, and numerous other accomplishments.

Dr. Stephenson retired in June 2010. Following her retirement, one of the buildings was named in her honor.

She is survived by her husband, Steve Stephenson, son, Jason, (Laura); daughter, Marion Smith, (Fred); and grandchildren, Hunter and Walker.

A Memorial for Dr. Stephenson will be held later in the summer. The family is requesting in lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory be made to the: HCC Foundation, 39 Columbia Drive, Tampa, FL 33606, in support of the Dr. Gwendolyn Stephenson Endowment. The fund helps student with financial need.