Tue, May 13 2008
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During the past year, Calhoun Community College has conducted a number of events in celebration of its 60th birthday. The year-long celebration of Calhoun’s 60th anniversary began last fall with an outdoor concert featuring American Idol Ruben Studdard, continued into the academic year with the official dedication of the College’s Health Sciences Center, and will culminate on April 19 when the college and the Calhoun Foundation hosts the 60th Anniversary Gala.
The event will be in the area in front of the college’s new Math and Science building. The evening of celebration will honor retired physician, long-time community supporter and one of Calhoun’s greatest advocates, Dr. George Hansberry.
A Pennsylvania native, Hansberry made Decatur his home in June 1965, when moving to the city to open his medical practice. In 1966, he began practicing at the Decatur Clinic and continued to do so until his retirement in 2005.
Hansberry also served a term as chief of staff at Decatur General Hospital and from 1968 to the present, has received the American Medical Association’s Physician Recognition Award.
Hansberry was among the earliest founding board members of the Calhoun Foundation, serving the college since 1978. He served as the Foundation’s president from June 1985 through June 1987.
During that time, Hansberry partnered with other board members to raise funds for the Foundation’s first permanently endowed scholarships.
Hansberry and his wife, Cathy, former executive director of the Calhoun Foundation, have given thousands of hours of time to causes throughout the community. Today, five endowments at Calhoun commemorate the Hansberrys and their commitment to education.
According to Terri Bryson, Calhoun’s director of development, the gala will feature dinner and dancing, with entertainment by The Platters. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and official dedication of the Calhoun’s new Math and Science building. A live auction will also take place during the evening and will feature a number of high-ticket items for competitive bidding. Funds raised from the event will go toward new scholarships at the college.
Since Calhoun’s founding, it has been led by four presidents: Dr. Carlton Kelley, who served the institution for over 34 years; Dr. James Chasteen; Dr. Richard Carpenter; and current president Dr. Marilyn Beck.
During the fall of 2007, the College reached a record enrollment of more than 9,200 students.
For more information about the gala, contact the Calhoun Foundation office at (256) 306-2579.
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