Former Snead President Leaves a Legacy

Courtesy of The Sand Mountain Reporter

Steve Thrasher remembers his former colleague and friend Dr. William H. Osborn fondly as a compassionate and caring man who will leave an indelible mark in the history of Snead State Community College.

Osborn, the president of Snead State Community College from 1977 to 1996, died Sunday and was laid to rest Monday.

"I knew him personally as well as professionally," Thrasher said.

"He was a very loving family-type person. He established a family atmosphere at the college where one did not exist before."

Thrasher served as business manager at the college for a number of years.

"I was there before and after he was," Thrasher said of Osborn.

"He was a very caring person who believed in promoting from within. He cared about the employees and their family situations and life circumstances.

"When economic times got tough, he did everything he could to keep employees instead of letting them go."
Osborn, 78, holds the distinction of the longest serving president of Snead State in the school's history.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of our former president, Dr. William Osborn," said current President Robert Exley.

"He served Snead State Community College faithfully for a number of years."

During Osborn's administration, the campus grew to include the Tom Bevill Continuing Education Center, the Chalmus Weathers Business Building and the William H. Osborn English Building.

Osborn established the Snead State Foundation and also guided the college in its journey from a junior college into a community college in 1992.

From this, he was able to add several career and technical programs, all while keeping the traditional junior college mission alive, Exley said.

Soon after his retirement, he was named President Emeritus of Snead State Community College and briefly served as Interim Dean of Instruction in 2000.

"When Anita and I first arrived, (Osborn) and his wife Joan were so kind to us," Exley said.

"They organized a reception at their home for us to meet many Snead State retirees.

"The evening was simply great fun and gave us a wonderful opportunity to hear many anecdotes about the college.

"We have a great college and Dr. Osborn certainly contributed much to what we are today."

Thrasher said although Osborn came from "humble beginnings," he became a leading educator serving in primary and secondary education fields.

"He was a very well-rounded person," Thrasher recalled.

"He was a high school teacher, college instructor, dean of two colleges and director of the postsecondary division of the state Board of Education before the junior college system was separated.

"He was very active in the community and participated in things like the United Way, the Chamber of Commerce and Civitan club.

"He was a big gardener and loved fishing and all sports.

"He was just a very generous and caring type person."

Osborn is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Pam Osborn, of Boaz; daughters and sons-in-law, Mitzi and Mike McLaurine, of Montgomery, and Becky and Phillip Kinney, of Boaz; brother and sister-in-law, Clifton and Carol Osborn, of Southside; and eight grandchildren and one step-grandson.