Update: This version of the story contains remarks from CFCC trustee Jimmy Hopkins and NHC commissioner Rob Zapple.

Cape Fear Community College president Ted Spring resigned Thursday, according to an announcement sent out by the school shortly before 7 p.m.

Spring offered his resignation at a meeting of the CFCC Board of Trustees, a news release stated.

"The Board accepted his resignation and thanked Dr. Spring for his service and wished him well in his future endeavors," stated the release, which did not give a reason for Spring's sudden departure.

Trustees, who met Thursday afternoon at a regular board meeting, appointed Amanda Lee as interim president, according to the release.

CFCC spokesman David Hardin said no other information was immediately available.

Spring's departure "is a real loss for the community," especially with the recent passage of the $40 million bond issue for its planned Advanced and Emerging Technologies facility and renovation of vo-tech instructional space downtown, said New Hanover County commissioner Rob Zapple, reached by telephone Thursday evening. "Ted Spring has done wonderful work. I'm not on the [CFCC] board and was not part of the deliberations, but this disruption in leadership is going to be a distraction."

CFCC trustee Jimmy Hopkins expressed his belief that the college would not lose momentum.

"I am confident that Cape Fear will move forward and continue to be the best community college in the system," he said by telephone Thursday evening. "It serves such a great purpose for this town and this region."