Nash
Dr. West remembered for humor, excellence Story & Photos by Sarah Davis
A
n award-winning educator, was
us feel happy, unburdened, lighter and special.
remembered recently for his
Very special.”
“Anyone who knew him absolutely loved the guy,” said retired English Professor Bill
ability, personality and style
Dr. West spent 33 years at Nash
O’Boyle. “He was E.T. smart. And his laughter
while in the classroom at Nash
Community College teaching psychology,
was the greatest thing. I mean, you can almost
art history, statistics, computer science and
hear it. If you just get really quiet, you can
sociology of the family.
probably picture David and picture a time
Community College. The late Dr. David B. West, 76, was a psychology professor emeritus at NCC when
For his part, History Professor Dr. Jay
when he really picked you up. You didn’t go
he passed away on April 13. The school paid
Peacock remembered Dr. West’s contributions
in and say, ‘Doc, I need some counseling,’ but
tribute to his work and legacy on May 12.
to NCC and Nash County.
man you left feeling like you’d had counseling.”
“I had the honor to work alongside Dr. West,”
“Dr. West had that remarkable ability
NCC Vice President of Students Mike
said Lisa Cooper, NCC’s Department Chair
to connect,” Dr. Peacock said. “He left an
Latham said Dr. West may have been the best
for Humanities and Social Studies. “Always
enormous imprint on Nash County and if we
teacher he ever knew.
gracious and kind, with an unmistakable laugh
could do an impact study on how many lives
“Anyone who knew him remembers one
and a style all his own.”
David West touched in a positive way, it would
of the most distinctive things about him… that
have to be in the tens of thousands.”
laugh,” Latham said. “If you were having a bad
Cooper went on to quote Maya Angelou in honor of Dr. West. “’I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ I think we can all agree Dr. West made
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West began working at Nash Community College in 1982 and stayed at his post until retirement in 2015. Those who worked with him remembered him for his laughter and sense of humor.
day, it just made you feel better. “He was a great teacher, possibly the greatest
teacher
I’ve
ever
known,”
he
continued. “He had literally generations of adoring students. He was also a great teacher
