Silent Thunder

About the Book

The setting of this novel is the early 1970’s with its theme the founding and development of a new community college and centers strongly on the variety of personalities who are instrumental in bringing this institution to fulfillment. The key protagonist is Dr. Ralph Andrew Peyton who is selected to be the founding president. From a large and impressive resource, Dr. Peyton selects the three Deans who will be the key components in the foundation and growth of the college. Three very different personalities, these men are the key elements in the growth progress. Progress and conflict are centered in these individuals. On the periphery, others of the faculty and staff and the community contribute to making this growth story interesting and entertaining. The various personalities are significant influences and relationships contributing to the silent thunder of the academic world. The culmination of the many events that comprise the story brings into focus all the emotion and interpersonal relationships of the many people of Randolph Community College.

About the Author

This story is based on the author’s experience as one of the founding Deans of a new community college at a time when such institutions were coming into being nationally at the rate of one a day. The theme focuses less on the creation of a campus and its buildings that will house such an innovative educational center than on the variety of personalities identified with the faculty, staff, student body and community in and around its locale. The author brought to this work more than two decades of adjunct teaching experience at prominent universities and community colleges together with a strong executive and administrative background in professional and industrial settings.