While our New Year’s resolutions are still in the brainstorming phase, let’s reminisce about an eventful 2022 at Carthage. Here are the top stories of the past year, as selected by the Office of Marketing and Communications.
1. Carthage celebrates 175-year milestone
Founded in 1847, the College marked its dodransbicentennial — See why we didn’t call it that? — during the year with subtle celebrations and a vocal commitment to continue leading by example in higher education.
Both the Winter 2022 and Summer 2022 issues of The Carthaginian magazine featured the 175th anniversary, highlighting the kinds of lasting personal connections that have kept the College thriving through four locations.
In addition, Carthage invited the campus community to an informal birthday party (with cake) in May, hosted a presentation by historian Ann Wagner Bundgaard, introduced a throwback collection of spiritwear, and dedicated a historical marker on the previous campus in Carthage, Illinois.
Carthage won its second straight NCAA Division III men’s volleyball championship, beating perennial power Springfield (Massachusetts) College in April to secure the latest title.
This time, the Firebirds got to seal the deal in front of a fired-up home crowd, as Carthage hosted the 2022 Final Four. An estimated 4,200 fans packed Tarble Arena over two days of competition, smashing the NCAA attendance record.
A month later, Joseph White ’24 added to the banner spring, winning an individual national title in the shot put at the D-III outdoor track and field meet.
Inspired by the innovative culture he’s instilled in the Carthage space sciences program, the College enlisted Professor Kevin Crosby to spread that mindset throughout the College as the new Hedberg Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies.
He’ll build on the blueprint laid out by ScienceWorks, a groundbreaking entrepreneurship program that benefited natural science majors for more than 20 years. Earlier in the year, Prof. Crosby was awarded a $650,000 grant to continue developing new technologies for NASA.
In the span of 15 days in March, Carthage announced the addition of two innovative leaders who are shaping some promising new academic offerings:
Jim Padilla was hired as founding dean for the School of Business and Economics, a new structure that unites related faculty under a single umbrella and paves the way for new programs and partnerships.
Robert Nagel became Carthage’s first director of engineering, tasked with expanding the program’s reach. The College plans to renovate a portion of Lentz Hall into engineering lab, classroom, and office spaces.
5. Substantial gift fortifies mental health services
Through her philanthropic foundation, Carthage parent Ellie Siklossy pledged $475,000 to make mental health services more accessible to students. Her son Leon ’95 had a memorable college experience here, which inspires Ms. Siklossy’s ongoing support.
Thanks to the lead gift, Carthage opened a new, more centrally located Health and Counseling Center at the Todd Wehr Center in October. The center added another full-time counselor, and the College continues to raise funds for long-term staffing.
Returning to campus in fall 2022, Carthage students found an elevated campus dining experience thanks to a variety of changes.
In tandem with Parkhurst Dining, its new food service provider, the College opened four new eateries — three in the Stu, one in the TARC — and made reusable “green boxes” available for to-go meals in The Caf. Extended hours, flexible meal plans, and an app to order for pickup let students dine around their schedules and preferences.
During the year, Carthage strengthened its support for equity and inclusion in several ways:
Donors established a 75 Years of Black Excellence Scholarship that grew out of a Carthage celebration of the same name.
Endia Robbins (student engagement) and Professor Julius Crump (faculty and academic integration) took on important new roles as directors of equity and inclusion.
To help increase retention, the first Carthage-Bound Football Camp gave student-athletes of color an early orientation to college life.
Affirming its pledge to make a high-quality education affordable for everyone, in September the College introduced the Carthage Commitment. Eligible Wisconsin families with household incomes under $65,000 will pay no direct out-of-pocket tuition costs to attend Carthage.
The Carthage Commitment covers any tuition not covered by federal and state grant funds and the Stafford Loan. The program is open to all new incoming students beginning in fall 2023 or later.
9. Major declaration event caps purpose-finding initiative
The inaugural year of a new purpose-finding initiative culminated with the College’s first major declaration ceremony. Almost 100 students (mostly freshmen) and guests attended the event in May.
Emerging from a collaboration between the Aspire Center and the Center for Faith and Spirituality, a variety of new workshops and tools guide students to identify their larger purpose. Choosing a major is the first big milestone.
In part to honor the Carthage mission, Bryce Martin ’10 built the word “TOGETHER” in Hedberg Library using an astounding 23,621 red and black LEGO bricks. He completed the project over two days in June, with fellow alumnus John Robinson ’13 serving as the official counter.
A few weeks later, Mr. Martin’s creation was certified as a Guinness World Record, fulfilling his longtime goal. “Together” also represented the cooperative efforts of health care workers during the pandemic.
Carthage partnered with the Racine Unified School District and UW-Parkside on a dual credit program designed to help combat the teacher shortage in area schools.
NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Crews broke ground on two major projects: a complete renovation of the varsity softball field and a new facilities management building on 17th Street.
LINCOLN SYMPOSIUM
For the 160th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Carthage hosted a two-day event where prominent scholars discussed the legacy of Abraham Lincoln.
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