THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 1996 TAG: 9609270194
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: Phyllis Speidell
LENGTH: 72 lines
When Terry L. Jones was named dean-instructional and student services for the four campuses of Tidewater Community College, moving to his new office might have been the most difficult part of the transition.
Jones, a TCC faculty member since 1971, had been in the same office as the head of the humanities division for the past eight years.
After a week of packing and reorganizing, Jones solved his surplus problem: ``I gave away a lot of books.''
``Most of my stuff is still in boxes in the corner,'' he said, explaining that his move to the waterfront administration building on the Portsmouth campus is only temporary. Later this semester, Jones, along with the college president, the other deans and their support staff will be moving again to new quarters on College Place in Norfolk, part of the new TCC Norfolk campus.
One particularly appealing aspect of Jones' new position is its involvement with the entire college.
``In my old job, I felt like one piece of the puzzle,'' Jones said. ``Here, I am able to see the whole college operate and how all the pieces fit together.''
An Alabama native, Jones moved to Hampton Roads 25 years ago after earning his bachelor's and master's degrees from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., and his doctorate from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.
Jones lives in Churchland with his wife, Paula, a microbiology medical technologist at Maryview Hospital.
Name: Terry Jones.
Neighborhood: Sweetbriar.
Number of years in Portsmouth: 25 years.
Birthplace: Birmingham, Ala.
Birthdate: April 23, 1945.
Occupation: Educator.
What job other than your own would you like? None. I love what I do.
Marital status: Married to Paula Jones.
Children/grandchildren: Two sons, Jason B. Jones, 25, and Stuart A. Jones, 21.
Fondest childhood memory: Playing with the 30-plus kids in my neighborhood.
First concert: James Taylor.
What song or book title best describes your life? The book, ``Chaos Theory.''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you would buy? Once I got debt free, I would probably buy a new house.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Thomas Jefferson. He was incredibly curious about the world and his fellow humans. He also lived during a very creative period of our history. Besides, I wouldn't have to change my initials.
Biggest accomplishment: My sons, Jason and Stuart. They have made me proud and grateful.
Most embarrassing moment: I discovered my pants' fly open after I finished lecturing to my class.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I'd lose some weight.
Perfect way to spend the day: With a good book on the waterfront in a hammock.
I can't resist: Watching the Redskins play football.
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Amory's Seafood Restaurant.
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Commodore Theatre.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Being landlocked . . . not having property that can be annexed.
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? I like the diversity that it offers - diversity of people, diversity of architectural styles. There are a lot of options, different activities, for you to pursue here. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II by CNB