Posted on Friday, August 23, 2019
Remembering the past and anticipating the future, President Dan McAlexander welcomed faculty and staff back to campus during Wednesday’s annual Opening Session.
McAlexander read portions of a speech given by former President Walter Murphy in 1981 that touched on the challenges facing American higher education. Although the college faces many of the same challenges today, the president said he’s confident in the institution’s growth and future.
“When you look at our strategic plan, we’ve made great strides in the areas of undergraduate research, global engagement and service learning,” he said. “There is a widespread commitment across this campus to this kind of learning and offering our students more opportunities for growth and success.”
He also noted the college’s impact on the community through its involvement with the Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars and Circles of Troup.
“We care about improving the lives of others,” he said. “Has there ever been a time when your work means more?”
Dawn Coker ’77, Vice President for Human Resources, reminisced about her time at the college both as a student and as an employee – sharing what she thinks makes the institution special.
“I moved into Hawkes Hall the day after Labor Day in 1973,” she said. “There were 144 graduates in 1977, compared to this year’s graduating class of 266. There was an average of 100 faculty and staff members in the mid-70’s, compared to today’s average of 183. There were 18 campus buildings on the Hill, and today we have 27 buildings extending campus down Panther Way.”
But some things remain the same, she said.
“Students will meet lifelong friends, students will remember you for how you helped them, students will remember you for what you taught them, and LC will be special for the life lessons they learned while a student,” she said. “Your role in those things comes in many sizes and shapes. Thank you for your commitment to what it is, whatever it is, that you do best for LC students – past, present and future.”
John Lawrence, Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Art and Design, described coming to the campus as a young assistant professor of art in 1970.
“I was hired as the second member of a two-person department,” he said. “My job was to teach studio courses as well as art education and art history.”
However, one November night, disaster struck.
“I received a desperate phone call to come up immediately to the college because the Dobbs building was on fire,” he said. “They were afraid the fire would spread to Hawkes and we needed to remove whatever we could from the art department for safe keeping.”
Driving to LaGrange from West Point, he crested a hill and was greeted with an eerie sight.
“The sky was lit up red,” he said. “It looked as though the whole town was on fire. My first thought was, ‘My teaching career is off to a bad start – and in jeopardy.’ ”
Fortunately, Hawkes was saved and Lawrence went on to teach almost five decades at the college, overseeing the construction of Lamar Dodd Art Center and the expansion of the collection. He plans to retire at the end of the year.
“I have pride in the growth of our visual arts program and the extensive art collection we have amassed in the past 40 years ...,” he said. “I love teaching and will miss the interaction with students,” he said. “I believe I have experienced a college art professor’s ideal career here at LaGrange College.”
First Week activities kick off Saturday. Highlights will include a student scavenger hunt on Saturday, Honor Code signing and dessert reception at the President’s Home on Sunday, Beach Bash on Monday, Lewis Library Open House and Spirit and Traditions on Tuesday and Convocation on Wednesday. First day of classes is also Wednesday.
The annual Fair on the Hill will be 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday on the library plaza. This is an opportunity for students to learn more about LaGrange by having the opportunity to speak with vendors, local churches and community service groups.
Help LaGrange College receive a $5,000 grant from the Charter Foundation. Take a quick minute to visit www.charterfoundation.net and vote for your three favorite local charities. Online voting will take place through August 30 for residents of Troup, Harris and Chambers counties.
Fall sports
The LC football, cross country, volleyball, men’s soccer and women’s soccer teams are practicing for their upcoming 2019 seasons. With the exception of football, all the teams begin play Aug. 30. The cross country teams will compete in the Watermelon Run at Berry College. Men’s soccer opens on the road at Millsaps, while the women take on Centenary. Both games are in Jackson, Mississippi. Volleyball is at the McAttack Bash hosted by Birmingham-Southern. Football hosts Birmingham-Southern at 6 p.m. Sept. 7.
Women’s lacrosse
Katie Vautier has been hired as the new head coach for women’s lacrosse. Vautier comes to LC after spending the last season as an assistant at Christopher Newport (Virginia) University.
Baseball
The Panthers’ 2019 recruiting class has been ranked No. 1 by Perfect Game.org. LC enters the 2020 season as the three-time USA South Tournament defending champion.
1 – Toni Anderson
2 – Stephanie Thomas
3 – Melinda Pomeroy-Black
John Tures
7 – Preston James
9 – Nickie Cauthen
10 – Deborah Butler
16 – Pamela Tremblay
Pamela Cox
17 – Margaret Reneke
18 – Kendall Todd
Cindi Bearden
21 – Sheila Scott
Kaitlyn Kimballd
Jennifer Shaw
Brian Carlisle
26 – Amber McGlawn
27 – Ronald Stafford
28 – Greg McClanahan
Time to kick off football season – LaGrange Daily News, Aug. 20, 2019
Georgia police reconciliation program held at LaGrange on Saturday – LaGrange Daily News, Aug. 19, 2019
LaGrange Police Department hosts Trust Initiative Event to better relationship with community – WRBL, Aug. 17, 2019
Albany police participate in initiative – The Albany Herald, Aug. 17, 2019
Riverkeeper to host bat search by boat – LaGrange Daily News, Aug. 7, 2019
Category: Faculty, Academics, College
Keywords: faculty, staff, Opening Session
