@LaGrange - Celebrating 10 years

The Frank and Laura Lewis Library opened 10 years ago and quickly became the academic heart of the campus.

Its significance to the college and community will be celebrated today at an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. at the library.

“There will be a program at 2:15 that will feature comments from the Lewis’s son, Jason, and nephew, Charles Scott, who will be sharing memories about Mr. and Mrs. Lewis,” said Charlene Baxter, Library Director. “We want this to be an opportunity for the campus and community to learn more about Frank and Laura Lewis’s many contributions to this community.”

Jason Lewis said having the new library named for his parents was a moving tribute to two wonderful people.

“They had a passion for what libraries mean to the communities they served,” he said. “Literacy in the African-American community was very important to them. My father believed the library was the heart of any place of learning, be it high school, college or university. LaGrange College and the Callaway Foundation naming the new library after my parents was truly a high point in my father’s life.”

Unfortunately, Laura Lewis passed away before the naming of the library project, and Frank Lewis died before the building’s completion.

“However, the Frank and Laura Lewis Library ensures that the legacy they put forth will be remembered for many years to come,” he said.

Situated at the center of the campus in proximity to the dining hall, dorms and classrooms, the $16.9 million facility includes a coffee shop, 24-hour study area, individual and group study rooms, media lounge and state-of-the-art audio-visual technologies.

It also has 45,000 square feet of approximately 336,000 print and electronic books, an extensive reference collection, a large DVD and CD collection and about 200 full-text databases for all academic disciplines.

Baxter said she is delighted in the growth of library patrons over the last 10 years.

“The students really love using the library,” she said. “They like all the assets available to them, and the attention they get from the staff. The faculty also is appreciative of the resources that are offered to them and their students.”

Scott Hawkins ’74 was campaign chair for The Defining Moment campaign that raised $65 million for construction of the library, plaza and Gulley Gateway, as well as renovations to Banks and Quillian buildings, Callaway Auditorium, Sunny Gables Alumni House and the football addition to Callaway Education Building.

He said he was moved by the generosity of everyone who contributed to the campaign.

“They have left a profound impact upon this institution,” he said. “None of this would have been possible without their sacrificial giving. Seeing how this campus has been transformed by that campaign is exciting and inspiring.”

Jason Lewis said he is looking forward to sharing stories about his parents at today’s event.

“I remember how excited my mother would get during the summer months when the Bookmobile would travel throughout the city because it meant that another child might be introduced to the magic of books,” he said. “Most of the ways they served the LaGrange community may never be fully told, because they seldom, if ever, sought recognition, but this library is a living memorial to what they meant to this college and this community.”

Saturday

• “Hello, My Name is … A Millennia’s Understanding of a Misunderstood Society,” 7 p.m., Price Theater Main Stage

Sunday

• Women’s Basketball Senior Day, 2 p.m., Mariotti Gym

Tuesday

• Piano recital by Hyunjung Chung, 4:30 p.m., Callaway Auditorium
• 30^th annual African-American Read-In, 11:15 a.m., Manget 308
• Creating Habits to Accomplish Your Goals, 11:15 a.m., Lewis Library Multimedia Classroom
• Pathway to Medical School, 11:15 a.m., Corn Auditorium in Lewis Library

Thursday

• Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands: Navigating Culture, 11:15 a.m., main floor of Lewis Library

Virtual English teachers gather at LaGrange College – LaGrange Daily News, Jan. 28, 2019

Churchill’s great-grandson speaks at LaGrange College – LaGrange Daily News, Jan. 28, 2019

Lecture to explore Churchill’s love of Morocco – LaGrange Daily News, Jan. 25, 2019

Red-hot Panthers hold off Hawks – LaGrange Daily News, Jan. 26-27

Panthers push Lions to the limit – LaGrange Daily News, Jan. 24, 2019

VIPKID gathered at LaGrange College – Troup County News, Jan. 30, 2019

TESOL at LaGrange College is making waves in the English world – Troup County News, Feb. 1, 2019

* Some newspapers require subscriptions to access articles

Men’s basketball
The Panthers’ eight-game winning streak ended with a 92-78 loss at William Peace last Sunday. Gary Bishop had 16 point for the Panthers (14-5, 10-2 USA South).

Women’s basketball
LaGrange (11-10, 5-7 USA South) ended a three-game losing skid with a 60-39 win at Agnes Scott on Wednesday. Riley Chlupacek led LC with 12 points.

Swimming
The LC swim teams competed in a dual meet at Emory & Henry last Saturday. The men defeated William Peace and lost to host Emory & Henry, while the women took third place.

Upcoming (Feb. 1 - 9)

Feb. 1 – Men’s basketball vs. Methodist, Mariotti Gym, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2 – Men’s and Women’s tennis vs. Birmingham-Southern, LC Tennis Courts, noon

Women’s basketball vs. Berea, Mariotti Gym, 2 p.m.

Men’s basketball vs. Covenant, Mariotti Gym, 6 p.m.

Feb. 3 – Women’s basketball vs. Maryville (Senior Day), Mariotti Gym, 2 p.m.

Feb. 6 – Women’s basketball at Wesleyan, 6 p.m.

Feb. 6-9 – Men’s and Women’s swimming at SCSC Conference Meet

Dawn Coker, left, Vice President for Human Resources, congratulates Stephanie Marcellini, an accounts payable specialist in the Business Office, for receiving this year’s Staff Stellar Service Award. The honor is given to a regular full-time or part-time staff member who has been employed for at least one year and has been selected by staff and faculty in recognition of that person’s outstanding customer service, commitment to teamwork and demonstrated support of the college’s mission and core values. The nominees were selected by the Academic Council, the Administrative Council and the Staff Council. The other two nominees were Laura Faulkner in Spiritual Life and Career Services, and Todd Prater, Registrar’s Office.

Members of the college’s faculty and staff were recognized Thursday for their years of service. Pictured are, front row, Dr. Gretta Wright Milam, five years; Stephanie Marcellini, Staff Stellar Service Award; Laura Faulkner, 10 years; Angela McSpradden, five years; Lee Davis, 10 years; Dr. Maranah Salter, 35 years; Dr. Stacey Ernstberger, 10 years; Dr. Jon Ernstberger, 10 years; back row, Dr. Lisa Crutchfield, 10 years; Dr. Laine Scott, 20 years; Martha Pirkle, 25 years; Lee Buchanan, five years; Pamela Tremblay, 20 years; Dr. Arthur Robinson, 20 years; Dr. Greg McClanahan, 30 years; Lee Johnson, 30 years; Dr. Charles Kraemer, 40 years; and David Wiggins, 15 years. Not pictured is Lee Richter, 25 years; and Dr. Beth McClanahan, 10 years.

Martha “Mrs. Doc” Estes HA’13, a former Choral Director and Assistant Professor of Music at the college, will be celebrating her 90^th birthday on Feb. 12. Her son, Morris, has asked friends and former students to “shower” her with birthday cards. They can be sent to Martha Estes, P.O. Box 1703, Forest City, NC 28043.

Student Engagement has planned several activities through Wednesday to celebrate “Welcome Back Week.” A Club and Organizations Fair will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. today (Friday) on the library plaza; a basketball tailgate will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mariotti Gym, featuring raffle prizes during each game and a grand prize during the third game; a Super Bowl party at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the Spiritual Life Center (food will be provided); Nash Fung: Magician will perform at 8 p.m. Monday in Dickson Assembly Room; and food trucks will be behind Pitts Hall from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday (limited $5 vouchers will be available). For more information, contact Kayla Watson at kwatson1@lagrange.edu.