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Bib/e Verse of the Issue: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope
in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary they
will walk and not befaint ’’Isaiah 40: 30-3J
Two-On-One With The President
Perry Goeders and I sat down with
President Paul Maurer on the after
noon of Friday, August 28. We both
came in prepared to ask questions so
you, the students of Montreat Col
lege, could get a better understanding
of both Montreat’s future and the
man who stands behind that friendly
smile.
Many of the new students have not
been blessed with the wonder of
Montreat’s transition these past few
years; however, those of you who are
juniors and seniors can remember
what has transpired in detail. Presi
dent Maurer calls this a “turn around
period.” It is not over, and we have
far more to accomplish.
For the returners who have noticed
that the cafeteria is not only refur
bished but congested at lunch and
dinner, the enrollment of Montreat
College has almost doubled. When
we discussed the future and what
Montreat should expect with enroll
ment, the president envisioned the
number of student athletes remain
ing the same, but the percentage of
student athletes to non-athletes to
lowering over time. This is because
the college cannot keep adding sports
continually (we already have 17
sports on campus), so to grow as a
Cassidy’O Brien
Perry Goeders
college, non-athletes need to be at
tracted here for a healthier ratio. Yes,
I asked if football had a future here at
Montreat and, as of now, there are no
plans.
President Maurer is grateful to all the
gift income we have received and for
the help it provides. Two years ago
the college received 1.6 million in
gift income, the year after 4.1 mil
lion, and this year 9.1 million. He
humbly declined having to do with
any of the ideas or refurbishing to
any part of the college, and that God,
the faculty. Board of Trustees and
donors who persevered in the dark
helped this turn around season for
Montreat College.
President Maurer’s vision for Mon
treat College is to become a leader
amongst other private Christian col
leges regionally and internationally.
When I asked his plans for himself
in the next 10 years, he expressed his
love for the college and the Black
Mountain range. He and his wife just
recently bought a home here, where
he lets students come over for casual
swims. Maurer expressed he would
stay as long as the board would keep
him, adding that he would love to
retire with this being his last college.
Not only has Montreat been working
on the fitness center, cafeteria, black
box theater and sports complex, but
Montreat is working to improve
academics. Montreat College dean
Dr. Greg Kerr has done a fantastic
job improving academics and trying
to expand and strengthen the majors.
Kerr also has future goals of improv
ing the graduate programs.
Montreat has a great future ahead,
with enrollment now at the most it’s