Paul Watson, Campus Carrier News Editor
Construction on the new football stadium will be postponed until sufficient funds are raised, the Berry board of trustees decided last weekend during their February meeting.
According to an email from College President Stephen R. Briggs, “Construction on the Valhalla stadium project — which includes extensive site work, a berm seating area, a concrete permanent structure, a turf field and track — was approved in principle but will commence after the eaglets have safely vacated their nest and after funding is raised for the site work and turf field. Funds to date have been raised primarily in support of the concrete structure and the track.”
Vice President of Student Affairs Debbie Heida said there are two major options for where the football team can play temporarily. One option is Barron Stadium near downtown Rome. The other is the Darlington School athletic field. Heida said all the games could not be played at Barron Stadium because there are other events already scheduled for the stadium that would restrict its use. The decision for where the games will be played “will be made fairly soon,” Heida said.
The renovation of Richards Gym, however, has been approved to proceed as planned. The renovation will include locker rooms, a strength and fitness center and offices for football and lacrosse. Provost Kathy Richardson said the renovation should begin very soon and should be completed by fall 2013.
Heida said the decision of whether to assign an intramural field as a permanent practice field for the football team has not been made yet. She said the decision will be made in about a week.
The board of trustees also approved promotion and tenure decisions. Richardson was promoted from Acting Provost to Provost.
According to an email from Richardson, “Faculty receiving tenure and promotion to associate professor include Dr. Catherine H. Borer, assistant professor of biology; Dr. Renee E. Carleton, assistant professor of biology; Dr. Tamie J. Jovanelly, assistant professor of geology; Dr. Timothy W. Knowlton, assistant professor of anthropology; and Dr. Alice H. Suroviec, assistant professor of chemistry. Dr. Todd K. Timberlake, associate professor of physics, was also promoted to Professor.”
Professor Stephen Bell and Director of Field Experiences and Student Teaching and senior lecturer Mary Outlaw were both awarded emeritus status, according to Briggs’ email.
The primary focus of the board of trustees meeting was the 10-year strategic plan, presented for approval by a planning council. Though only a rough draft of the vision statement and goals was presented, “The board was pleased with the considerable progress that has been made this year,” according to Briggs’ email. Briggs said the board is looking forward to reviewing measurable objectives during their May meeting.
The board also approved the budget framework for the 2013 fiscal year. Board Chair Karen Holley Horrell and Vice Chair Buster Wright were both re-elected to serve another three-year term in those positions. Seven other trustees were re-elected to additional terms. Alumnus John Eadie (83), founder and managing director of Covenant Multifamily Offices in San Diego, was elected as a new trustee.
According to Briggs’ email, “The board received a report that Berry’s endowment was now the nation’s 89th largest, moving up in the rankings, and that last year the endowment had the third highest growth in the nation among endowments exceeding $500 million. The Berry-managed portion of the endowment is at an all-time high. This increase reflects new gifts to the endowment as well as strong investment performance.”
The board also received word that Berry’s comprehensive campaign has crossed the halfway mark of the working $100 million goal. A definite goal will be determined within the next few months, and the campaign will become public once funds have reached the 70 percent mark, according to Briggs’ email. The theme for the campaign “will emphasize Berry’s commitment to making students ‘life-ready,’” according to the email.
The final note from the board meeting was that enrollment for fall looks positive. Though too soon to project definite numbers, the number of applications are at historically highest levels. Male enrollment is 45 percent ahead of last year at this time, according to Briggs’ email.