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Home > Archive > Apr 10, 2008

Dixie Says Goodbye to Former DSC President
By Sharon May
Approximately 300 well-wishers filled the Gardner Center Ballroom at Dixie State College to bid farewell to Dr. Lee Caldwell and his wife, Bonnie, on April 2. Caldwell resigned as president of the college effective March 24.
For more than an hour, friends and supporters filed through the reception line to say goodbye to the Caldwells, many in line exchanging hugs and tears with the couple. Among those attending the sendoff party were members of the college faculty and staff, college alumni, community and local officials.
Among the attendees was Rep. David Clark, R-Dist 74.
“Lee and Bonnie have added a great deal to the college and community,” Clark said. “Their friendship and contribution to the college and community will be missed.
Clark said he and fellow legislators are still very much committed to Dixie State and funding the college with “our fair share” from the state.
At the end of the reception line, people stopped to pen their goodbyes and sign a quilt made by Susan Taysom, of DSC, and given finishing touches by St. George Musical Theater’s Dawna Kenworthy.
Deborah Wirth, of SGMT, was also among Caldwell’s supporters.
“Without Lee Caldwell, SGMT would not have survived. When we had nowhere to go, they came to our rescue,” Wirth said about the theater’s charter agreement with Dixie State College. “Dr. Caldwell sent Mark Peterson to SGMT and said, ‘You go help them,’” she recalled.
Also among Caldwell’s supporters was Rep. Steve Urquhart, R-Dist. 75.
“This is a wonderful tribute to President Caldwell and all he’s done for the institution,” Urquhart said. “He has laid a tremendous foundation regarding the affiliation (with the University of Utah), and now the community has to build on it.”
Local business leader Alan Crooks was at the party to express his gratitude and support.
“Dr. Caldwell is a gifted man,” he said. “I wish Lee and Bonnie Caldwell all the best. They deserve the community’s gratitude for all they have done for the college and the community.”
Those in attendance seemed to agree, giving the Caldwell four standing ovations during his address following the reception.
The former DSC president spoke of his three-year tenure at the college.
“As I came to Dixie, I felt the responsibility of that sacred trust,” he said, referring to pioneer Jacob Hamblin’s sacred trust to keep promises made to the people living in what became Dixie.
“I’ve never been at an institution with better faculty and staff than at Dixie College,” Caldwell said.”
He spoke of the duty of loyalty and the college’s professional responsibility to provide students with the education they will need for the future.
“Don’t lose the sacred investment in the human soul and education,” he said.
Dr. Shandon Gubler, chair of the Board of Trustees, spoke in tribute of Caldwell.
“He has been an honor to the college and the community,” he said. “You are crowned a Dixie favorite son. We will continue to celebrate your successes, wherever they may be.”
Caldwell was presented with gifts from representatives from the students, faculty and college. Among the many gifts was a proclamation of gratitude from the students, a basketball signed by all the college’s coaches from the athletic association, a painting by Kimball Warren from the faculty, and a handcrafted vase by DSC artist and professor Glen Blakely.
“We are not saying goodbye – we love you too much,” Gubler said. “Instead, we’d rather say thank you.”
Caldwell said he wanted to extend his and Bonnie’s gratitude for the community’s “friendship, integrity and support.”
The Caldwells had not yet made a decision as to their next project, other than some vacation time in Hawaii and knee surgery for Bonnie before they leave St. George.

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