@LaGrange - ‘The challenge has been met’

Friends and supporters of the college gathered Thursday night at Del’avant to celebrate the successful conclusion of the “From Promise to Prominence” comprehensive fundraising campaign.

President Dan McAlexander delighted the crowd when he announced that not only did the campaign reach its goal of $50 million, it surpassed it.

Pouncer, the college’s mascot, helped McAlexander announce the total with a game of “The Price is Right.” The president asked guests to guess a number that would be in the final amount. As each number was revealed, a student holding a balloon of that number joined Pouncer onstage until the final total was revealed – $70,922,967. 

McAlexander said the campaign will change the lives of students and their families for generations to come.

“We are extraordinarily grateful to each and every one of you for your support, loyalty, love and extreme generosity,” he said. “LaGrange College is great because of you.”

Launched in July 2013, the initiative had five goals – funding the construction of the Ida Callaway Hudson Lab Sciences building, renovating Callaway Science Building, expanding the Global Engagement Initiative, broadening endowed scholarships and securing the Servant Scholars program.

Bill Hodges ’72, H’14, chairman of the campaign, said he was honored and privileged to lead the effort.

“One of the best parts of this experience has been the opportunity to work with such a great group of people,” he said. “Rebecca (Roth Nicks, Vice President for External Relations) and President McAlexander make an amazing duo.”

Nicks thanked everyone for their work and contributions.

“This has truly been a transformational initiative,” she said. “We are celebrating more than money. Your generosity has impacted the students, faculty and entire college, and is helping shape the next generation of leaders.”

During a video presentation, students talked about how they know the college cares for them – from study abroad courses to leadership development, academic support to service opportunities.

“LaGrange College shows it cares by showing me the world,” said senior Leigh Anne Hamlin.

Dr. Greg McClanahan, Chair and Professor of Mathematics, took the podium and praised donors for their commitment to students.

“Your efforts have had an enormous impact on our students,” he said. “Together, we have made an impact. You walk alongside every student on the Hill.”

The lead campaign gift of $8 million was made by Callaway Foundation, Inc., while Jerry HA’14 and Janet Mabry Gipson Caswell ’66, H’17 donated $2.5 million, the largest contribution by living alumni.

Steering committee members were Dr. Joy Baker ’02; Amos T. Beason HA’14; Janet Mabry Gipson Caswell ’66, H’17; Jane Alice Hudson Craig M’84; J. Garnett Giesler Jr.; Shearon Wiggins Glover ’72; Scott D. Hawkins ’74, H’10; Mitchell T. Key ’04; Marie Turner Moshell HA’17 ;  William Plybon; Peggy Cobb Schug ’70; Edward D. Smith; Ellis Spence ’75; and Richard C. Wolfe H’15.

Nicks said she is excited to celebrate the end of this campaign, but the work continues.

“We’re so grateful for everyone’s generosity, but with the growth of the college, there will always be needs,” she said. “We will continue to raise funds to prepare our students to become successful, responsible citizens who aspire to lives of integrity and moral courage.”

Sunday

• “God’s Trombones: Seven Sermons in Verse,” 5:30 p.m., Del’avant, $25

Monday

• ‘Closer to thee than the vein in your neck,” 3D Journeys lecture, 10 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
• “Red Tails” film, 7 p.m., Corn Auditorium in Lewis Library

Tuesday

• Study-away presentation: Service and Sustainability in the Philippines, 11:15 a.m., Bailey Room
• Lee Johnson reflects on 30 years of teaching, 7 p.m., Beason Recital Hall
• Ela Tokarska, violin, faculty recital, 4:30 p.m., Beason Recital Hall
• Iceland 2020, 11:15 a.m., Corn Auditorium

Wednesday

• Black Student Union talent show, 7 p.m., Beason Recital Hall

Thursday

• Study-away presentation: Costa Rica Immersion, 11:15 a.m., Bailey Room
• The Rev. Dr. Van Xavier Shrieves, 11:15 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
• The Black Identity, 7 p.m., Dickson Assembly Room

Friday

• Grammy-winner David “Swagg R’Celious” Harris, 11:15 a.m., Beason Recital Hall
• Azalea Storytelling Festival, Callaway Auditorium (schedule and ticket info) 

LaGrange Art Museum opens exhibit featuring work of longtime LaGrange College professor – LaGrange Daily News, Feb. 18, 2019

Professor to bring passion for history to 3D lecture – LaGrange Daily News, Feb. 18, 2019

Azalea Storytelling Festival returns for its 23^rd year – LaGrange Daily News, Feb. 20, 2019

Panthers fall short in tourney – LaGrange Daily News, Feb. 20, 2019

American college to explore Churchill’s love for Morocco – Morocco World News, Feb. 20, 2019

* Some newspapers require subscriptions to access articles

Men’s basketball
LC’s season ended with a 91-77 loss to Maryville in the first round of the USA South Tournament on Tuesday. The Panthers (17-9) were led by senior Travis Thompson’s 21 points and Lincoln Anderson, who had 15. Thompson and senior Jamison McCray were selected to the USA South All-Conference second team, while senior Jalen McCallum was named to the third team. The three all-conference selections was the most for the Panthers since joining the USA South. Senior Elijah Adedoyin was LC’s representative on the All-Sportsmanship Team.

Baseball
The Panthers (5-3) lost to visiting Berry on Monday night. Sophomore Judd Moore had two hits, including a double, and three RBIs to lead LC.

Saturday, Feb. 23
Men’s and women’s tennis at Covenant

Sunday, Feb. 24
Softball at Agnes Scott (doubleheader)

Baseball at N.C. Carolina Wesleyan (doubleheader)

Monday, Feb. 25
Baseball at N.C. Wesleyan

Wednesday, Feb. 27
Softball at Birmingham-Southern

Martha “Mrs. Doc” Estes HA’13, a former Choral Director and Assistant Professor of Music at the college, celebrated her 90^th birthday on Feb. 12. Her son, Morris , had asked friends and former students to “shower” her with birthday cards. He reported that his mother was thrilled with the response as she received scores of greetings on her special day.

Grammy award-winning composer and producer David “Swagg R’Celious” Harris ’08 will be on campus at 11:15 a.m. March 1 in Beason Recital Hall in West Side. He will be talking with Composition and Music Technologies students about his career.

The first GRE Practice Test of the semester will be from 1:30 until 5 p.m. Feb. 25 in Corn Auditorium in Lewis Library. To register, please e-mail the Center for Leadership and Career Development at CareerCenter@lagrange.edu

Service Saturday will be from 9 a.m. until noon March 16. The project this semester will be focusing on the beautification of Calumet Park. If interested, register here.

The Rev. Dr. Van Xavier Shrieves, a guest of the Political Science Program for Black History Month, will speak at 11:15 a.m. Thursday. He was the MLK Day speaker for Warren Temple United Methodist Church, and will talk about his experiences with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Defense Department, the United Nations, and being a Baptist preacher in LaGrange.

The Diverse Power Grand Prix will be held on campus this weekend in conjunction with GreenpowerUSA. The races will begin at 6:45 p.m. today (Friday) with a rookie race and will continue Saturday, with races beginning at 8:45 a.m. The events will be held around Callaway Auditorium adjacent to Callaway Stadium and will feature more than 30 middle school and high school teams from around the country – including a team from Long Cane Middle School in LaGrange. Spectator parking will be in lots on both sides of the stadium. Admission is free and there will be food trucks on site. GreenpowerUSA runs engineering challenges for schools based around designing and building a single-seat, electric-powered race car.

1 – Lee Davis

Maranah Sauter

3 – Molli Newman

8 – Adam Roberts

9 – Lee Buchanan

13 – William Paschal

14 – Laura Faulkner

16 – Stacey Wilson

28 – Jasen Jonus

Jack Slay

30 – Jana Austin

Chris Bellon

Celia Hay