73 new faculty members introduced at annual meeting

While half the campus was studying in the dark, most of Marshall's faculty met in the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse for the first general faculty meeting of the year.

It was one of the only buildings with power at the time.

Faculty members walked into the room prepared to hear President Angel's State of the University address and greet new colleagues, but were met with other news.

Announcements of proposed class cancellations and delays were among the new items on the agenda.

The purpose of the meeting was mainly to introduce the new members of the faculty and hear the annual speech. The address was given in the fall this year because Angel did not come to office until January last year. It is usually given in the spring of each year.

Dr. H. Keith Spears, vice president of communications, said, "While we may have lost power, we are still energized here."

Faculty Senate President Donna Donathan, welcomed the new members and said it was "one of the most important things on campus," despite other problems that arose.

There were 73 new faculty members hired this fall. Not all were present because of teaching and other obligations.

When the speech ended, Donathan gave a final congratulations. She announced the family picnic Sunday afternoon in front of the Memorial Student Center. Then the meeting was dismissed to a reception downstairs in the Performing Arts Center.

Faculty members and the few students who attended got the chance to speak with the new and old members.

The next general faculty meeting will not be until the spring.

It is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 12. The focus of that meeting will be to honor retiring faculty.