JUST TO SAY ‘THANKS’

Couple help Philander Smith celebrate past, look to future

Kaki Hockersmith and Max Mehlburger know how to throw a party, and officials at Philander Smith College were on the receiving end of the couple's hospitality the night of Nov. 18. An appreciation reception was held to allow Philander Smith President Roderick Smothers and others to thank the people who continue to push the school's mission forward.

The crowd at Hockersmith and Mehlburger's Edgehill home included new men's basketball head Coach Todd Day; Donaldson scholars and the donors who made their scholarships possible; members of the president's staff and cabinet; and representatives from Entergy, Southwest Power Pool, the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services and the Darragh Foundation, among others.

The school will celebrate its 140th anniversary March 3, and a slate of activities is being planned, said Catherine Johnson, coordinator for special programs and special assistant to Smothers.

Smothers outlined a few of his goals for Philander Smith, including the building of additional facilities and a second phase of work on the college's student center. Long term, he said he'd love to see a performing arts center, where the collegiate choir could perform.

"We are growing, we are moving, and we are moving forward," Smothers said.

High Profile on 12/04/2016

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