You can tell as soon as he begins to speak that Dr. John Colson does not come to Grossmont College from somewhere nearby.

The accent is south Georgia, and from the same place comes the wisdom that taught Dr. Colson, Grossmont’s new interim Vice President of Student Services, to listen carefully and not proffer opinions too quickly.

“I am reminded often of an adage that my mother taught me,” he said: “We have two ears and one mouth for a reason.”

Dr. Colson’s last position was in fact in his home state, at Bainbridge College in the city of Bainbridge, where as Vice President of Student Affairs he oversaw admissions, financial aid, records, recruiting, student activities, intramural athletics, testing and counseling, ADA compliance, and clubs and organizations.

He has a bachelor’s in Philosophy and Religion from Toccoa Falls College; a Master’s in Religion from the University of Georgia, and an Ed.D. also from the University of Georgia, in Higher Education.

You may also find Dr. Colson’s name in the Guinness Book of World Records, 1983, for, “Fastest time around the perimeter of the United States on a bicycle.” He traveled a total of 13,000 miles and completed a round-trip journey from Savannah in 144 days. He also completed a solo bike tour around the Australian perimeter, beginning in June, 1981, and finishing in October of that same year. Along the way, he initiated and organized a public awareness campaign for the Christian Community Schools of Australia.

“I count it an honor to now be a part of Grossmont College,” he said, “and hope that I can contribute in some small way to the strong legacy that has provided the foundation of this institution. I believe that Grossmont’s continued success is dependent upon each of our personal successes in listening and understanding the needs of others – faculty, staff and students.”

He probably already knows it, but the distance around the Grossmont Perimeter Road is about one and one-half miles.