Daymar regroups after leader’s death [Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.]

Dec. 02--Daymar College's employees are still in shock and have been devastated by the death of leader and founder Mark Gabis, said Susan Cooper, director of government relations for the for-profit college group.

Gabis died at his home Nov. 12 from an apparent heart attack.

"A lot of people didn't get to know him because he was a quiet guy," Cooper said. "His heart was in the right place."

Daymar will continue to forge ahead and continue the work Gabis started in 1995, she said. That's when he and his brother, Damien, bought the Owensboro Junior College of Business, Daymar's forerunner.

"He had such a passion for helping people to better their lives through educational attainment," Cooper said. "He instilled that in the associates here."

A day or two after Gabis' death, Dan Inman was named Daymar's president and CEO.

"I'm in awe of being at the head of this group," Inman said. "It's a huge responsibility for our students, our associates and our communities we serve. But Mark has paved the way for us with integrity and excellence, and we have our core values in front of us."

Inman said the college group's goal is to make sure Gabis' dreams -- of helping students gain the skills they need to get the lives they want -- are fulfilled.

Two examples of Gabis' commitment to making his dreams become reality are the STEP program that helps students earn their GEDs and the Daymar Foundation that gives scholarships to students attending Daymar and other colleges, Cooper said.

"It's a lot different now. The whole industry is changing, and we're changing with it," Inman said. "I'm excited about the future and what it holds."

Inman is a Hartsville, Tenn., native who played football at Austin Peay State University and earned a bachelor of science degree there. His early professional career includes teaching high school and coaching football and baseball as well as a stint as a sales manager and director with a life insurance company.

He joined Davidson Technical College as director of admissions in 1988 and later worked for its parent company, Draughon's Junior College as director of the Bowling Green campus. He completed his master of education degree while in Bowling Green and earned several hours toward his doctorate degree.

In 1999, Inman was president of Kee Business College in Chesapeake, Va. In 2001, he returned to Tennessee to become executive vice president for Daymar Colleges Group. He left the group in 2005 to become an equity partner and chief operations officer for Eagle Gate College Group in Salt Lake City, Utah.

He had been back at Daymar as chief operating officer exactly one year when Gabis died.

"Dan will be good for the college and the community," Cooper said. "He was hand-picked by Mark, and he was grooming Dan to take over when he retired."

Daymar is accredited nationally through the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools or ACICS. The private college system offers programs in health care, business, technology and vocational training at 16 campuses, five small campuses and online. Students may earn certificate, diploma, associate and bachelor degree programs.

Joy Campbell, 691-7299, [email protected]

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