Hansford Epes talked Friday with longtime department assistant Cheryl Branz, who oversaw creation of a memory book of pictures and good wishes from his colleagues on his retirement after more than half a century. (Bill Giduz/Davidson College photo)

Hansford Epes, Davidson College’s registrar and professor of Humanities and German, is retiring at the end of this school year after an association with the college that has lasted more than 55 years. A 1961 graduate, he was feted the other day at a reception with colleagues. John Syme has this appreciation.

By JOHN SYME
Davidson College senior writer

What can I say, on a personal note, about Hansford M. Epes Jr., Davidson College Class of 1961, registrar and avatar for the life of the mind, mentor and dear friend?

No, really, what can I say without getting in trouble? Our best conversations have happened off the radar, between classes and meetings, on Chambers Lawn far from walls with ears, under a gentle spread of tree canopy and tobacco smoke, whilst Dodger gives playful chase to fluffy woodland creatures. Read the full story

Heather Birch

Davidson has hired Heather Birch as town clerk and human resources coordinator. She starts Feb. 27, and comes to Davidson from Oak Ridge, N.C., where she has been the town clerk since December 2010.

She replaces Lillian Smith, who announced in January she was leaving.

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New full professors, from left: Rick Gay, Dan Aldrich, Gayle Kaufman, Mario Belloni, Vivien Dietz.

Five Davidson College faculty members have hit a big milestone – promotion to full professor. The college announced last week that trustees approved the new rank for historians Daniel W. Aldridge III and Vivien E. Dietz, physics Prof. Mario Belloni, Education Prof. Rick Gay and sociologist Gayle Kaufman.

Full professor is the college’s top rank and recognizes faculty for achievements in teaching, professional activity, and college/community service. New professors typically begin at the rank of assistant professor. They can be granted tenure and promoted to associate professor after a sixth-year review. They become eligible for full-professor honors after another review and seven more years.

Here are biographies of the new full professors: Read the full story

Clayton Spencer

Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, has picked Clayton Spencer, the daughter of a former Davidson College president, as its new leader.

Ms. Spencer replaces Elaine Tuttle Hansen, who was Bates’ leader from 2002 through last June. She left to become executive director of The Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth. Read the full story

Tamara Roach

Georgia Krueger, executive director of the Ada Jenkins Center, is battling a bad case of Lyme Disease and has taken a medical leave of absence through at least January. The board of the regional community services center has appointed operations director Tamara Roach as interim director. Read the full story

Robert Alexander

Davidson College Presbyterian Church is getting a new associate pastor. The church’s pastor nominating committee recently called Robert Alexander to the job.

The Rev. Alexander, 42, is a North Carolina native and comes to DCPC after seven years as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Union, S.C.

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Matt Merrell

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson Community Players has found a familiar face to lead the organization out of nine months of uncertainty that followed the abrupt departure of its last permanent executive director last summer. Matt Merrell, an actor and former board chairman, starts work Monday, and says he’s glad to be back in Davidson. Read the full story

From left: vice chair Stacey Riemer, chair Rory Crawford, and secretary Joyce Brooks (Fran Mathay photo))

Lake Norman Community Development Council
Lake Norman Community Development Council (LNCDC), a volunteer organization comprised of non-profits in the geographic area of North Mecklenburg and South Iredell Counties, recently installed new officers for 2011-2012. They are: chair Rory Crawford, vice chair Stacey Riemer, and secretary Joyce Brooks. Read the full story