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Haraway Center Dedicated
By Darrin Devault
Director of Public Relations
5/9/05
On a day filled with tributes and fond memories, Northwest Mississippi Community College President David M. Haraway had a hard time keeping his composure.
Haraway, who retires June 30, was overwhelmed when a crowd of about 400 turned out May 5 to dedicate the new David M. Haraway Center on the college's Senatobia campus.
"I thank you for naming this facility in my honor, and more than that, for giving me the opportunity for the past 20 years to serve as your president," said Haraway, who was surrounded by his wife, Ellen, his children and more than 25 other family members.
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Family members listen to tributes to Northwest Mississippi Community College President David M. Haraway at the dedication ceremony of the new cafeteria and conference center May 5 on the Senatobia campus. They are (l to r) Haraway's daughter Claudia and her fiancee Scott McCloud; Haraway; wife, Ellen; son, Neil and his wife Angie; and daughter Lucia Nelson. (Photo by Nancy Patterson)
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"I'm proud of this college," he added. "I'm proud to have been a part of it. I am overwhelmed and I am humbled."
Haraway especially fought back tears when he expressed his appreciation for the college's faculty members.
"You are the backbone of this college," he said. "Our success begins in your classrooms, and any success I've had I attribute to you."
Among those paying tribute to Haraway were Bill Dawson, a long-time college Trustee from Byhalia; Dr. Wayne Stonecypher, executive director of the Mississippi State Board for Community and Junior Colleges; Dr. David Cole, president of Itawamba Community College and Northwest alumnus; State Sen. H. Nolan Mettetal; and Vicki Hale, director of the college's Division of Nursing.
Cole reflected -often with humor- on his 30-year friendship with Haraway, whom he called his "blood brother." Cole cited Northwest's unparalleled growth in enrollment and facilities, the quality of its faculty and its championship athletic teams.
"(The Haraway Center) is obvious recognition of the quality of leadership of David Haraway," Cole said.
Mettetal, who represents District 10 in the Mississippi Senate, added: "What a magnificent facility, what a way to go out, Dr. Haraway!"
Mettetal told the crowd about a resolution recently passed by the Mississippi Legislature, which saluted Haraway's decorated career in educational leadership. The resolution was read by Richie Lawson, dean of Northwest's DeSoto Center.
Northwest Board of Trustees chairman M. Clarence Sparks Jr. of Lake Cormorant also read a resolution passed April 14 by the college's Trustees which gave Haraway the title of "President Emeritus."
Following the tributes, Joe Broadway, executive assistant to the Northwest president and district dean of Career-Technical Education, introduced Haraway to a standing ovation and presented several retirement gifts on behalf of the college, its employees and the Board of Trustees.
Haraway, an avid bird-watcher, received a traditional gold retirement watch, which Broadway said he can use "to record the time he spots his first ivory-billed woodpecker." College employees gave Haraway a cashier's check for his "bird-watching fund."
Northwest President-elect Gary Lee Spears closed the program and invited the audience to tour the 42,000-square-foot facility.
"I would like to pledge my commitment in the coming years - as Dr. Haraway's successor - to further develop and improve the facilities and educational opportunities at our campuses," Spears said. "I am grateful for the opportunity, and I am humbled to be following in Dr. Haraway's footsteps."
Located along Alumni Drive, the Haraway Center will house a student cafeteria with a food court that serves resident and commuter students and contains both faculty/staff and quiet dining areas. It will also house the Board of Trustees suite and meeting and banquet rooms available for college and community use.
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