Dateline: February 10, 2005

CC dedicates Dickey Library

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The transfer from the old facility is complete, and all the books are on the shelves of Clarendon College’s new Vera Dial Dickey Library.

CC held a formal opening and dedication of the building February 3, and Library Director Jewel Houston called it a dream come true.

“We want this to be your library,” Houston told the crowd. “We want to help you any way we can.”

Students, faculty, administrators, alumni, and community members all gathered at the event which culminated with a human chain being formed from the old library at the west end of the Administration Building to the new facility situated west of the Harned Sisters Fine Arts Center. The last 25 books were passed from one pair of hands to another to find their final destination on the shelves of the Dickey Library.

“We’ve had lots of compliments and nice comments,” CC President Myles Shelton said. “Everyone thought it was a fitting tribute to Mrs. Dickey.”

The $1.3 million library is named for the late Vera Dial Dickey, a resident of Memphis, who had a passion for education and who left a generous gift to CC after her death. Executors of her estate and several citizens of Memphis attended the dedication.

Also joining the celebration was CC President Emeritus Kenneth Vaughn and former CC President Jerry Stockton. Representatives from Frank Phillips College and Vernon College attended as well.

At 10,500 square feet, the new library is more than twice the size of its predecessor. It features amenities such as a computer lab with 45 computers, three study/reading areas, improved office and workspaces, and special display cases for items such as the Texas Collection.

Thursday’s activities were not without surprise. During a thank you to those who have donated to the college, CC Foundation Chairman Walt Knorpp unveiled a new “Meet the Challenge” campaign, in which he and his wife, Alderman Janice Knorpp, have agreed to put up a maximum of $10,000 to match other contributions.

“Clarendon College is Donley County’s best asset,” Knorpp said. “So many goals have been accomplished in the last three years, but we can’t stop now.”

Knorpp said every donation received by the Foundation in 2005 that is earmarked as “Meet the Challenge” will be matched up to the $10,000 goal. The money is not being designated for any special purpose. More than $1,000 has already been pledged to the challenge.

To find out more about the “Meet the Challenge” campaign, contact the college at 874-3571.