On March 21, I had the pleasure of announcing at a news conference that we are going to complete the track with a premier all-weather surface and start a men’s and women’s cross country and track and field program beginning in the fall. Athletic Director Rod Walton joined me at the news conference, along with our consultant for the project, Greg Hull; board chair Don Gnuse; and Canton R-V High School Principal Andy Turgeon. We’re the 10th HAAC team to offer these programs, and we will have a competitive schedule in place for the fall cross country season. We will share the track with the Canton high school, which has a track program but no home track. Don and I are both runners and we promised to join in a victory lap with faculty, staff, students, and residents in inaugurating the track once it’s complete. Although the donor is still anonymous, we are pleased to have received a lead gift to help finance the project. Construction is planned to begin in early summer, and we are in the process of searching for a head coach. You can read all the details and view a rendering online in the athletics section of our website at www.culver.edu.

Changes on Campus

The renovated track won’t be the only change on campus. We just completed some long-needed work on Alexander Campbell Auditorium. Every surface in the auditorium dates back to its construction 40 years ago, and we were able to restore every finish. We repaired walls and ceilings; restored the acoustic panels, "the clouds;" and resurfaced major sections of the floor. While the scaffolding was up, we did some work on the lighting and electrical system as well. We also were able to purchase a small used hydraulic lift, which can be used throughout the campus, to make the high work safer and more efficient.

Other changes don’t involve facilities but are also important. A group of student leaders has formed a Black Student Union, open to all students, with the goal of bringing unity and understanding across racial and ethnic lines and to be a support system for the minority students on campus. Recently, the college faculty also decided to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a holiday beginning in 2008. We have always honored the day with special observances remembering Dr. King and his work, but previously, it was an official day of classes for students.

Students and Scholarship

As we build our enrollment for next fall’s semester, I am pleased to see the quality of students that we are recruiting this season and that are currently matriculating on campus. In addition to the three Vision Scholar Awards that we previously announced (minimum 32 ACT/3.6 GPA), we chose five students from among 60 who competed and presented the Pillars for Excellence Scholarships (minimum 26 ACT/3.6 GPA or rank top 15 percent). Meanwhile, the students currently on campus also showed their academic mettle. Thirty-five freshmen (the largest team of initiates in many years) were inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, the national collegiate freshman honor society. Three of our women athletes showed they were stars in the classroom and on the court and were named 2006-07 Daktronics Women’s Basketball All-America Scholar-Athletes by the NAIA. It’s good to be surrounded by excellence.

Education Fund

Yesterday, we held our annual Scholarship Luncheon for donors who have established endowed scholarships to meet "their" students. Listening to our students tell the audience a familiar story at Culver-Stockton . . . "that if it weren’t for scholarship help . . ." Well, you know the rest. Our Education Fund supports scholarship programs and student learning. It’s a "right now" fund. And we need everyone to contribute before June 30. We still have $500,000 to raise in the next three months. You know what to do. Someone did it for you when you were on the Hill. As a convenience, you can help before you finish the rest of this e-newsletter by clicking here.

End of the Year

As April begins, we’re looking at the final flurry of activities. April 3 is JazzFest, followed the next day by the Tri-State Economic Development Summit, which we are hosting on campus. We are expecting leaders from Congress and some of the surrounding statehouses, as well as several hundred attendees. We’re pleased to have the Summit back on campus after 10 years and will be posting coverage online after the event.

Our annual guest artist theatre production this year showcases Native American lore and features Native American performer, Jane Lind. Pushing Up the Sky will take place April 19-22 in Mabee Little Theatre. See our online Campus Calendar for details.

We will be honored on April 24 to have Richard H. Ekman, president of the Council of Independent Colleges, present our second annual Betsy Curtright Kraus Endowed Lecture. Winter snow forced cancellation of the program in February, but he has graciously agreed to come to campus this spring to discuss Making the Case for Private Education in America. Many of our seniors are wrapping up their college lives as well. These last few weeks are filled with the senior art show, interview days, final performances in athletics, final concerts, and music recitals.

Commencement, a day full of emotion for all of us, is Saturday, May 12. I was struck by how momentous this occasion is as I walked through the cafeteria and overheard one of our students singing as he trotted down the stairs: "It’s a beautiful day. I graduate in May. And my momma will shout, ‘Hurray’ It’s almost my graduation day." Not classical music, not even deathless doggerel, but a song that speaks to my heart.

All for the Royal Blues,

Bill Fox
President, Culver-Stockton College

P.S.: As you already know, I look forward to being connected with each of you. Contact me at wfox@culver.edu to share your thoughts about this newsletter, or about Culver-Stockton College in general.

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