by Taylor Cotie

On February 26, Greensboro College announced the retirement of Director of Campus Safety and Security, Chief Calvin Gilmore. After 43 years with the Greensboro College security department, Gilmore has announced that he will officially be stepping down as the Director of Safety and Security on May 31, 2024. Gilmore has been working at Greensboro College since 1982. In 1991, he was promoted to chief officer and has served in this role on campus for 33 years. Gilmore grew up in Cheraw, South Carolina and pursued his major in business at Lees-McRae College. He also attended and played football at North Carolina A&T State University.

The Collegian had the honor to speak with Gilmore about his retirement. When asking him what he intended to do after retirement, he said, “I would really like to get more involved with my church and missionaries, as well as church events. I would also like to try and reach out to men in retirement homes that do not have families and pay visits to them and just listen to their stories.”

During his time here as a security officer, Gilmore has had many memorable moments on the Greensboro College campus.

“There are so many wonderful memories. Just being able to meet everyone and having the chance to talk with students and faculty every day has been great. Assisting students when they are in need or just being there for them if they have a problem has been the most rewarding thing. My favorite part is when previous students would come back to visit me, and they would have their own family. Some Greensboro College Alumni even have grandkids that go here, which is wonderful. Being able to watch students that have come in as freshman and now they are all grown up and graduated is by far my most memorable moment,” Gilmore stated.

When asking Gilmore what he would say was the most rewarding aspect of his job, he replied, “Just being here on campus is probably the most rewarding part of my job. Each morning when I would come into work, I would just pray that it would be a good day. Being able to come into work and see everyone, students and faculty, each and every day with a smile on their face was definitely the most rewarding aspect of my job.”

Working 43 years as a security officer, Chief Gilmore has worked under four different presidents of Greensboro College. The Collegian had the chance to interview Greensboro College’s current president, Dr. Lawrence Czarda. When asking Czarda how he would describe the impact Gilmore has had on Greensboro College, he answered, “He is an icon to generations of GC students. It has been inspiring to see alumni from decades ago – as well as recently – interacting with chief when they are on campus. He has been a professional, caring, calm and constant presence for all these years.”

Safety is a top concern for colleges across the nation, especially in today’s world. When asking Czarda how he thought Gilmore handled these concerns over the years, he replied, “Indeed, safety and security has risen right to the top of concerns on college campuses over the past years. GC– while a safe campus – is not at all immune to the society and city around us. Our downtown location is a real plus in many ways, but we are not a gated community. Gilmore has developed excellent relationships with both internal and external groups with an always vigilant eye toward any perceived safety issue on campus.” Chief Gilmore has left a significant impact on the Greensboro College community during his time here. The GC community will miss him and wish him nothing but the best