Dr. Larry Linker was associated with Randolph Community College since its early days in the 1960s. After six years as a vocational teacher in Ashe County, he joined the original Randolph Industrial Education Center in July 1963 as agricultural technology coordinator. He was promoted to assistant director in December of 1963, a senior administrator position he maintained for the next 25 years under various titles and three name changes for the college.
In 1988, the same year the college had its final name change, to Randolph Community College, Linker took over as president.
Linker’s dissertation, in 1979 when he earned his educational doctorate, was the development of a plan to establish a foundation for the school. This plan became a reality with the establishment of the Randolph Community College Foundation that same year. The RCC Foundation had grown to assets of more than $7 million by the time he retired.
After 12 years as RCC president and 37 years of total service to the community college, Linker retired on July 1, 2000. He became president emeritus on July 1 and then worked part-time for the RCC Foundation for two years during its capital campaign to construct the RCC Foundation Conference Center.
In 2003, Dr. Linker was presented the Randolph County Community College Board of Trustees Distinguished Service Award for his long-time service. The award is designed to recognize an individual, group, or organization making a long-term consistent commitment that is extraordinary and has had visible impact or results directly related to the support of the RCC mission.
In addition to his work at the college, Dr. Linker was active in professional and civic organizations, including the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents, the State Employees Association of North Carolina, and the Association of Community College Business Officials. He was a member of the North Carolina A&T State University School of Education advisory board, a corporate board member for Randolph Hospital, and past secretary and president of the Randolph Rotary Club, where he was a triple Paul Harris Fellow. He was also on the boards of the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation, and the Randolph County Strategic Planning Committee.
He was preceded in death by his wife of over 56 years, Nancy Sue Goodman Linker and grandson, Aaron Keith Linker.
Surviving are his children, Hoyle Lee Linker and wife Terrie Linker and Angela Dunker and husband Mark Dunker; four grandchildren, Katelyn Linker, Adam Linker, Austin Dunker, and Meredith Dunker.
Private family services will be held. Dr. Linker will be laid to rest beside of his wife at Guilford Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Dr. Linker’s scholarship fund at the Randolph Community College Foundation at 629 Industrial Park Avenue
Asheboro, NC 27205.
Online condolences may be made at www.HanesLineberryFHSedgefield.com. Hanes Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel is assisting the family.
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