Staff, faculty gather to say goodbye to President Cartwright

President Carol Cartwright talks to John Gosky, director of administration for enrollment management and student affairs, and Ann Gosky, associate director of the center for campus involvement. Colleagues lined up yesterday in the Student Recreation and W

Credit: Carl Schierhorn

Instead of sneakers and T-shirts, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center was filled with dress shoes and black suits as a long line of staff and faculty members came to wish President Carol Cartwright farewell from 4 to 6 p.m. yesterday. Students were also welcome to attend the event.

Gail Beveridge, director of donor relations and special events, said they chose to host the president’s farewell event at the rec center because it offered enough room for a large crowd and it is one of the major buildings that was constructed under Cartwright’s watch.

“I came to pay my respects for her leadership,” said Mary Tipton, director of Distance Education for the College of Education, Health and Human Relations .

Tipton said she could cite several examples of Cartwright’s leadership, but believes the national as well as international exposure she brought to Kent State has been her greatest achievement as president.

According to Kent State’s official Web site, since the start of Cartwright’s presidency, the university has initiated more than 30 student and faculty exchanges with universities in 20 countries. Some countries included in the program are: Africa, Australia, China, India, Israel, Japan, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Cartwright, who has been president of Kent State University since March of 1991, said she will miss certain things about Kent State, but there is one that stands out.

“The people are just terrific here,” Cartwright said.

She said everyone is very committed to working toward the general mission of the university.

Cartwright added that after retiring from her reign as president she plans to spend more time with her family.

“I am keeping my options open,” Cartwright said.

Following the reception were several speeches given by representatives of U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula and Sen. George Voinovich. Other speakers included a representative of Gov. Bob Taft. Cartwright closed the evening with a farewell speech.

Walter Pechenuk, undergraduate adviser for the Department of Computer Science, came to the event to say goodbye to the president, although he expects to see her again in the future.

While it will take some time, he said the university will be able to fill Cartwright’s shoes.

Cartwright is also hopeful that the presidential search will be a success.

“The board has an excellent process in place,” Cartwright said. “I am convinced they will pick a very strong person who can build on this momentum.”

Contact recreation and wellness reporter Erika Puch at [email protected].