Retired Catawba College faculty and staff members were feted at a luncheon held Thursday, July 22 in the Hurley Room on campus. The annual event was a time for former employees to gather socially and to also hear an update from college officials about happenings at the institution.
Catawba College President Dr. Robert Knott briefed those attending on enrollment figures for the 2004-2005 academic year. Although he said Catawba “won’t get its final report card (on enrollment) until August, current numbers indicate deposits for accepted students are running ahead of last year, with more than 80 percent of those eligible to return having already obtained a class schedule for the fall.
He spoke briefly on the silent phase of Catawba’s endowment campaign underway now before an official goal for the effort is announced next May. Several recent estate gifts have been received and counted toward this effort.
He cited improvements and renovations being made on campus, including updating some office space on the second floor of the Hedrick Administration Building for academic use and the purchase of 300 tables and chairs to provide more flexibility for seating in the classrooms.
Dr. Knott noted that a third center has been established on campus. The Center for International Studies, directed by Dr. Kurt Corriher, joins the Center for the Environment and the Lilly Center for Vocation and Values that are already operational. He told retirees that “Living a Life That Matters” by Rabbi Harold Kushner is the common reading text for the campus community this academic year.
Dr. Jesse McCartney, executive assistant to the president, gave an update on the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation process which is now underway on campus.
Retirees and their spouses who attended the event included Al and Marcia Carter, Fred Corriher, Betsy Detty, Arlene and Dan Duffala, Jim Epperson, Hilda and Tom Foreman, Bob and Cathy Greene, Jack and Mae Keeter, Daniel Kirk, Ruby and Floyd McSwain, Dutch and Maggie Meyer, Bill and Ann Palmer, Eloise Peeler, Frosty Rich, Chub and Elaine Richards, Ken and Evelyn Sell, Buddy and Barbara Thomason, Louise Tucker and Ruth Young.
