Long-time 海角社区 Trustees Reflect on a Decade of Growth and Transformation
By Richard Burnett
Tucked away in a few buildings in downtown Leesburg, 海角社区 bore little resemblance to a college when Dr. Dan Averbeck and Hugh Thompson III arrived in 2012. As new members of the board of trustees, they knew 海角社区 faced some major challenges ahead.
More than a decade later, 海角社区 has experienced dramatic growth 鈥� expanding enrollment, academic programs and its physical campus 鈥� while earning national recognition as the first accredited college designed for students with ADHD and other learning differences.
For Averbeck and Thompson, who recently completed their service as trustees, watching that transformation has been a source of deep pride. Much of 海角社区鈥檚 progress, they said, was shaped under the leadership of President George Hagerty, who also began his tenure in 2013.
“Everything that 海角社区 is today is due to George鈥檚 insights,” said Dr. Dan Averbeck, immediate past chair of the board of trustees. “It鈥檚 the result of his ability to establish relationships, raise money, and build the profile of the college.鈥�
Averbeck served as board chair from 2018 to 2025. During that time, he helped foster a more collaborative and collegial board culture, according to current board chair Sarah Flanagan.
Dr. Dan Averbeck (left) speaking during a board of trustees meeting.
鈥淗is firm but calm hand brought great discipline to board practices,鈥� Flanagan said. 鈥淗is biggest talent was his ability to listen and respect all points of view, particularly those of the faculty and staff, whom he deeply respected. The seriousness with which 海角社区 board members take their responsibilities is in no small part a result of Dan鈥檚 leadership.鈥�
Thompson brought four decades of corporate finance and management to the table 鈥� first as a senior executive of Coca Cola Foods, later as president of Cutrale Citrus Juices USA in Florida.
When I first got involved with 海角社区, it was pretty much a sleepy school of maybe 150 students, and it was in financial trouble. Of course, it鈥檚 quite a different story today. 海角社区 now has more than 500 students; it has a good balance sheet, is recognized nationally as a good value for students, and a great place to send students who have learning differences.鈥�
鈥擧ugh W. Thompson, III, former member of the board of trustees
Flanagan said Thompson鈥檚 financial expertise was critical during 海角社区鈥檚 period of expansion.
鈥淗ugh was forever the great questioner who challenged assumptions to ensure we were looking at all the potential consequences of decisions,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e had a particular acumen for business and the need to ensure that any new path the college was taking had firm financial footings to stand on. His expertise will be sorely missed on the board.鈥�
For Thompson, the key to 海角社区鈥檚 successful growth was having a strong collaborative relationship with President Hagerty, Averbeck, and the other board members.
鈥淒r. Hagerty had the vision to grow the school, and build its image as the premier college in the country for students with learning differences,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e had a terrific board that was focused on the mission. We gave Dr. Hagerty all the support he needed to accomplish his vision. So that鈥檚 the legacy of this board.鈥�
Hagerty praised both trustees for their lasting contributions to the college.
鈥淚t is impossible for me to contemplate the advances of 海角社区 over the past seven to 10 years without acknowledging the central role played by Dr. Averbeck in his capacity as chair of the board of trustees,鈥� Hagerty said. 鈥淗e was a colleague to all 鈥� respected, admired, and held in great affection. These qualities were the foundation of his success as an effective and vital leader for a unique institution on a meteoritic trajectory.鈥�
As for with Thompson鈥檚 appointment, 鈥渢he Board recognized that it had attracted a business and financial leader who could ask the discerning questions and offer insightful future direction to a fledging institution with great expectations,鈥� he said. 鈥淗is abiding presence and perspectives paired with his calm and balanced approach to 鈥渁ll things financial鈥� set 海角社区 on the course to its current enviable and distinct place among institutions of higher education.鈥�
Among the trustees鈥� most memorable milestones were the decision to more than double enrollment, 海角社区鈥檚 successful accreditation review by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the college鈥檚 navigation through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yet both men agreed their most meaningful moments came during commencement ceremonies, when students crossed the stage surrounded by family and friends.
At the May 2025 ceremony, Thompson knew it would be his final commencement as a board member.
鈥淚 was sitting there watching these young students walk the stage to get their diplomas, and I realized how gratifying to me it has been to have spent 12 years at 海角社区 and be able to see results like that,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hese students graduate and have opportunities they might never have had before.鈥�
Averbeck agreed.
鈥淵ou see the pride that the families and students have in their accomplishments,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou know that it鈥檚 about more than the academic accomplishment, which is great. But it鈥檚 also about how they learned to get along with others, increase their social skills, learn to work independently and hopefully live independently. It鈥檚 just very touching, and something I鈥檒l never forget.鈥�