     |
RELEASED: Oct. 22, 2004
DANVILLE, KY—The Centre College board of trustees held its first meeting of the academic year Friday, Oct. 22, on campus. They focused on a year characterized by record-breaking achievements in fund raising and admission.
Three new development milestones were discussed. The College had an all-time high of 5,690 alumni donors in the fiscal year; a record 7,364 overall donors; and total gifts and grants of more than $13 million. In addition, Centre recaptured the top national standing in the percentage of alumni support—a distinction the College has held 16 of the past 21 years.
The Campaign for A More Perfect Centre is progressing well since it was announced on Jan. 30. In order to secure the resources necessary for the College to fulfill its educational mission, the board launched the campaign last winter with a goal to raise $120 million. The four-year comprehensive campaign will help fund student scholarships, faculty support, a variety of new and expanded programs, upgraded technology, new and renovated buildings, and a significant increase in the size of the College's endowment. As of August 2004, more than $82 million had been committed.
Centre had another record-setting year in student recruitment. The College ended the 2003-04 academic year with 1,605 applications, a record number for the school and up 14 percent from the previous year. (This marks the third record year in a row for applications.) That yielded a strong class of 311 new students (297 freshmen and 14 transfer students) with an impressive academic profile.
In other news, the board approved changing the name of Crounse Academic Center to Crounse Hall, which will complement Sutcliffe Hall. Together, the two facilities comprise The College Centre. Crounse is home to the College's library and classroom facilities. Along with Sutcliffe, it's being renovated and expanded as part of the $22-million College Centre project. The project is taking shape and set for completion in the spring of 2005. In addition, the board approved renaming the theater in Crounse Hall in honor of Charles Vahlkamp, professor emeritus of French.
The trustees approved 10 faculty members for sabbatical leaves during the 2005-06 academic year. The professors and their academic programs are: Steve Beaudoin, history; Larry Bitensky, music; Patricia Finch, Spanish; Patrick-Kagan Moore, drama; Alex McAllister, mathematics; Jennifer McMahon, philosophy; Donna Plummer, education; Christine Shannon, mathematics; Jack Thompson, psychology; and Beau Weston, sociology.
J. David Grissom of Louisville serves as chairman of the board. John Roush is president of the College.The board meets again this January in Louisville.
- end -
Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/
For news archives go to http://www.centre.edu/web/news/newsarchive.html.
Communications Office
Centre College
600 W. Walnut Street
Danville, KY 40422
Public Information Coordinator: Telephone 859-238-5714