Highlights

Campus News

Wildcat Weekly Minute for Nov. 17, 2011

A look at what's happening on campus this week.

Faith

Cleansed through the Cross

Dr. Quarles speaks on the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice at weekly chapel

Sports

LC hoops teams wrap up homestand with pair of wins

Off to Ozarks, UT-Dallas next

Organizations

LC media student give to Toys for Tots

More than 100 toys will help local charity

Campus Life

February is Heart Health Awareness Month

Stay healthy and 'God Red'

Culture

All the Shakespeare you could laugh at… and more!

tlc's adaptation of 'Shakespeare Abridged' pulls out all the stops

Special Coverage

LC brings another successful ‘Follow the Star’

'Christmas on the Hill' and 'Gala' add to festive weekend

Dr. Travers leaving LC to return to “first love.”

by Al Quartemont

Vice President for Academic Affairs to return to seminary.

"Academic excellence is close to my heart."

Dr. Michael Travers, LC's Vice President for Academic Affairs, spoke those words at Saturday's Smith Scholarship Banquet. Anyone who has spent even the slightest amount of time with Dr. Travers on campus over the past two years knows those words have been backed with dedication and integrity in his ongoing commitment to the integration of faith and learning.

But that dedication in an administrative role is being trumped by Dr. Travers' desire to return to teaching it in the classroom.

Less than 24 hours before that banquet, LC President, Dr. Joe Aguillard had announced to the faculty via email that Dr. Travers would be leaving LC sometime after the spring semester.

Travers, and his wife Barbara, who serves an English professor at LC, plan to return to Wake Forest, N.C., where Dr. Travers will return to teaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Mrs. Travers has accepted the position of chair of the English Department at Wake County Public Schools for the opening of a new high school in Wake Forest.

"My first love has always been teaching, and the years prior to my coming to LC were my most productive writing years," Dr. Travers said. "I simply miss the classroom give-and-take too much, and I am working on a book manuscript even now. I need the time to write."

In addressing Dr. Travers' decision, Dr. Aguillard said his departing VPAA has served the college with distinction, scholarship, wisdom and integrity. And he noted how Dr. Travers has been an integral part of LC's review of accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

"Michael will be greatly missed by us all," Dr. Aguillard said. "However, we fully support him as he returns to the role that he considers his first calling."

Dr. Aguillard also said that when Dr. Travers originally came to LC, he hoped to still be able to teach classes in the Humanities Division but found the demands on his time as an administrator kept that from being possible.

"I have enjoyed the administrative role here at Louisiana College, but my soul’s satisfaction comes from teaching," Travers said. "I should underscore to you that we have prayed about this move over several months and are convinced that the Lord is leading us in this direction at this time."

Dr. Aguillard said Dr. Travers will continue in his position through the current semester and most likely through the month of may. In the meantime, the Administrative Council will begin the process of looking for another senior academic officer in what will be a nationwide search.

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