With a thankful heart the Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS) says farewell to our Founding Dean, Dr. Fred Whitt. In February, Dean Whitt will become the 12th President of Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina.
Dr. Whitt was named Founding Dean and Professor of the BCHS in January 2010, the first new college at Appalachian State University in 40 years. Under his leadership, BCHS doubled enrollment and became the second largest college at Appalachian. New undergraduate and graduate programs were added, new faculty positions secured, facilities upgraded and new public and private partnerships have been formed. These partnerships included such groups as Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, Blue Ridge Electric, Novant Health, Mission Hospital, Caldwell 20/20, WakeMed and the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.
Dr. Whitt was an integral part in securing the funding and development for our new health sciences building, which is an $82 million and 203,000 square foot project scheduled for completion in 2018. In addition, he secured the support to name the College for alumnus Donald C. Beaver. He also established the collaboration with Wake Forest School of Medicine's PA Program, the first partnership of its kind in the UNC system. Dr. Whitt secured funding for two endowed professorships, and was responsible for establishing the Dean's Scholarship, now the third most prestigious scholarship for Appalachian.
We are all grateful for his vision, direction, leadership and friendship. Although Dr. Whitt is leaving BCHS, his legacy will remain here forever.
Dr. Susan Roggenkamp presents Fred Whitt with going away present
Dr. Susan Roggenkamp presents Fred Whitt with going away present