NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Monday, Shorter College announced the passing of President Dr. O. Jerome Green.
He passed away at the age of 69 years old.
Many people have expressed that President Green was a staple in the North Little Rock community.
Jeffery Norfleet, the Vice President of Shorter College said that President Green's priority was always his family, but it extended beyond just blood relatives. He was someone who took Shorter under his wing ever since he was appointed as president in 2012.
"He believed in what Shorter can offer and what Shorter had to offer to students, so the path to possible, was Shorter. He envisioned that, and he made that impact for the community," Norfleet described.
He also said that in the short time that he knew President Green, he had always known him to be a leader, man of integrity, and visionary.
"The amazing thing is that his legacy and work that he has done has been noticed over the years. I've heard many stories about Shorter, where it was at the very bottom, and now it's excelled to be at the top and people understand what Shorter is and what role it plays in the community," Norfleet added.
North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick explained that President Geen's legacy went beyond the walls of Shorter and how it echoed throughout the city.
"Everybody knew Jerome Green and their thought process was that he was not only a professional but he was a friend. Me and him were friends. We'd kid with each other and tell little side jokes with each other," Mayor Hartwick said. "So him passing is going to be a loss to the whole city and not just North Little Rock but to the whole state where he influenced young people to come to that college."
President Green was a member of Kappa Alpha PSI, the African Methodist Episcopal church, and the HBCU community.
Cleandrea Gatson, a student and Miss Shorter College said that though President Green is gone, this doesn't mean goodbye.
"I just believe in see you later and I truly believe that because he had such a love for Shorter College, he's, still here. We just have to be quiet and listen and if we can listen, then I believe that he'll continue to show up," Gatson said.