THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 20, 1994 TAG: 9410200367
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
Randolph-Macon Woman's College has built a house to mark the inauguration of its new president, Kathleen G. Bowman. But the house won't serve anyone on the Lynchburg campus.
It was built for a single mother, Rebekah Ward, who is a waitress, and her daughter, Shamecka, in the Fairview Heights neighborhood as part of the Habitat for Humanity program.
About 250 students and employees participated.
Patricia DeMars, a college librarian and chairwoman for the project, said the idea came from the students.
``It really creates a lasting testimony to the inauguration,'' she said, ``and it's exactly in keeping with the theme: `Crossing Borders - Opening Doors.' ''
The college is raising money to cover the $27,500 cost of building the two-bedroom house. So far, it has collected $23,000.
The house will be dedicated at 3:30 p.m. Friday. Bowman will be inaugurated at 11 a.m. Saturday in the college's Smith Auditorium.
She came to Randolph-Macon in May from the University of Oregon, Eugene, where she was vice provost for international affairs.
To make the dedication of the house the centerpiece of the inauguration, the college did not invite a big-name speaker, spokeswoman Shannon Brennan said.
DeMars said: ``Our president has a philosophy that less is more; you don't need a big extravaganza.'' by CNB