Posted on Thursday, July 02, 2020
It may have rained on their parade, but President McAlexander and First Lady Celeste Myall were showered with love and gratitude during a drive-by farewell in front of Lamar Dodd Art Center on Tuesday.
McAlexander has retired after 11 years as the 25th president of the college. He and his wife have purchased a house in LaGrange and plan to make this their retirement home.
More than 100 people lined up in their cars to speak to the couple, who were seated under a tent to greet their guests.
The event kicked off with the arrival of Pouncer perched atop Dan '73 and Austin '69 Cook’s vintage red Corvette.
For more than an hour, a line of cars snaked in front of Price Theater and Dodd in the rain as friends and supporters expressed their thanks and good wishes.
Retired professor Sue Duttera echoed many of the sentiments expressed.
“Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for this college and for LaGrange,” she said. “I’m so glad you are staying in LaGrange.”
McAlexander replied with a laugh.
“We’ve enjoyed our time in LaGrange, and we intend to keep on enjoying it.”
Former mayor and college faculty member Jeff Lukken said the couple’s contributions have been invaluable.
“They are deeply caring people, and they have made a really significant impact on our community,” he said.
Members of the Cabinet appeared in two gaily decorated vehicles, complete with party horns and pompoms.
Rebecca Roth Nicks, Vice President for External Relations, showed McAlexander and Myall a photo of a teak garden bench they have ordered for the couple’s new yard.
“It has a plaque that reads, ‘President Dan McAlexander & First Lady Celeste Myall. Your vision and tireless commitment to transforming students’ lives continues to inspire us. The LaGrange College Cabinet 2020, ’” she said.
McAlexander thanked them for the thoughtful gift, and issued a final directive.
“I don’t want to get a single professional email from any of you,” he said to peals of laughter. “Personal ones are fine, but nothing college-related.”
Hogansville Mayor Bill Stankiewicz and his wife, Mary Stewart, made a grand entrance in an antique fire truck, while LaGrange Police Chief Lou Dekmar saluted the couple with flashing blue lights and quick blip of the siren.
As the parade wound down and the weather grew ominous, the festivities moved inside Dodd. Stankiewicz and LaGrange Mayor Jim Thornton read proclamations to honor the First Couple, naming June 30, 2020, as “Dan McAlexander and Celeste Myall Day” in both cities.
The couple said they intend to stay active in the community – McAlexander with the Racial Trustbuilding Initiative and Myall with the youth orchestra. They will not, however, attend any college functions for a while, a tradition that goes with a presidential transition.
“We need to give new President Susanna Baxter time to get settled into her job,” McAlexander said. “But we will continue to support the college and community. I personally look forward to Panther basketball games in the future.”
A big basketball fan, McAlexander has been a vociferous voice in support of Panther hoops teams.
Looking around as the event ended, he expressed his thanks to the organizers.
“Who would have thought a drive-by parade – in the rain, no less – would be so much fun?” he said. “Celeste and I are very grateful to everyone who worked on this, and to those who attended. We will never forget this afternoon.”
Then the inevitable question came.
“What are you doing tomorrow (the first day of his retirement)?”
McAlexander grinned and replied, “I’m sleeping in.”
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will conduct another “Courageous Conversation” session at 5:30 p.m. July 16 on its Facebook page.
“Civil Death…And Resurrection: What Factors Are Associated With Felony Disenfranchisement?,” an undergraduate research project that was presented this year at the Georgia State Capitol, has been accepted for publication in Questions in Politics, the official journal of the Georgia Political Science Association. It will appear in November, pending final revisions. Dr. John Tures, Professor of Political Science, said it is very hard to get accepted by this journal. “My solo research paper on gerrymandering was rejected, but the students really outdid themselves on the research.” Contributing researchers were Dr. Tures, Tia Braxton, Melanie Chambers, Natalie Glass, Porter Law, Jaydon Parrish, Elijah Robertson, Payton Smith, Jason Timms, Caleb Tyler, Andrew Valbuena and Ben Womack.
The college will be closed tomorrow (Friday) in celebration of July Fourth. Normal operations will resume Monday.
Men’s Soccer
Kaine Baker ’20 has been named Assistant Coach for Men’s Soccer. He was an outstanding defender for the Panthers from 2016-19.
New experiences, now opportunities and new learning relationships lie in store as students return to the LaGrange College campus on Monday, Aug. 24.
Farewell parade held for McAlexander, who is retiring from LaGrange College – LaGrange Daily News, July 1, 2020
Category: Academics, Events, Community, College
Keywords: McAlexander Myall retirement president
