Randolph Community College Foundation
Names Marvin Caviness Director Emeritus

ASHEBORO, N.C.—Marvin T. Caviness, one of the charter members of the Randolph Community College Foundation Board, was named the organization’s first director emeritus Thursday, honoring him for his dedicated service. Caviness retired from the Foundation Board in December. The Foundation will celebrate its 25th anniversary in September 2004.

Foundation President Joanna Lee presented Caviness with a certificate granting him “full rights and privileges as foundation director emeritus, our very first one.” The certificate honored Caviness for “24 years of outstanding service and personal commitment.” Lee told Caviness she was “thankful for the heritage that you brought to this Foundation.” Lee also presented Caviness with a miniature bell/clock tower matching the tower the Foundation erected in front of its new conference center last June. Foundation board members, college personnel, and Caviness’ family gathered to witness the presentation, with several people making remarks.

Retired RCC President Larry K. Linker reminded Caviness that the founding group had determined that every Foundation director must possess two out of three very distinguishing characteristics. “The first one was work, and certainly nobody who has been a part of this Foundation...can question the work that you put forth,” said Linker. “The second was wisdom...and you have guided us through the years with the wisdom of down-to-earth good common sense.” Linker said that although they were only looking for two out of three, Caviness also possessed the third characteristic. “The third was wealth...As I like to say, you love us with your pocketbook, Marvin, and not everybody does that.”

Board of Trustees Chairman Jack Lail said while he had credited Dr. Larry Linker for being the“brains” of the Foundation, “I like to think of Marvin as being the heart of the Foundation...I’ve never seen him when he wasn’t concerned about other people...I think the Foundation has benefitted immensely from the heart of Marvin Caviness and I would like to say thank you for that.”

Caviness, completely surprised by the presentation, reminisced to the group about the early days of the Foundation and the College. He said, “I’ve enjoyed every bit of the work. It’s meant a whole lot to me. I’m glad to have been a part of the College and the Foundation.”

Randolph Community College Foundation President Joanna Lee (left) presents Marvin Caviness with a miniature bell/clock tower to honor him as the Foundation’s first director emeritus. Photo by Joyce Wolford.