The Paper
I I iMrA
I IIVI/^A Bi-weekly news University of North Carolina at Asheville
vJ Volume 2, Number 1, January 14, 1980
UNC-A Dedicates Owen Building
GREAT DAY FOR THE OWENS
Charles D. Owen (right) stands with his wife, Catherine, son Charles D. Owen
Jr. and daughter-in-law Mrs. Charles D. Owen jr. (Buncombe County Commis
sioner Cary Owen) beside the entrance to the Arts and Management Building
named for him. the plaque beside them describes Owen as an industrialist, civic
leader and philanthropist and "'a man whose good works will last far beyond
his own time."
Just in time for the holidays and the
1980 spring semester, UNC-A took the
wrapping from a $1.9 million
Christmas present to the people of
North Carolina.
With about 100 invited guests atten
ding, Chancellor William E. Highsmith
and other university officials opened
the doors on the afternoon of
December 21 to the imposing new
Charles D. Owen Art and Manage
ment Building on the wooded north
east corner of the campus.
Industrial and civic leader Charles
D. Owen of Asheville, along with his
wife, Catherine, two of their three
children and eight of their grand
children, was there to accept the
university's homage for his generosity
toward the institution.
State Representative Liston B.
Ramsey of Marshall, expected to be
next Speaker of the House, was there
to hear the chancellor's praise for his
interest and effort in moving the
building to a high priority among the
state's educational development pro
jects. Highsmith also recognized the
continuing legislative support of
Representatives Gordon Greenwood,
Marie Colton and Ralph Ledford, who
were present for the occasion, and
that of Representatives Martin Nesbitt
and Glenn Morris, Senators Robert
Swain and Larry Leake and former
legislators John Stevens and Claude
DeBruhl.
Carl Loftin, vice chairman of the
board of trustees, speaking to the
guests in the third floor management
conference room, said "It is most fit
ting that this building be named in
honor of Mr. Charles D. Owen, one of
Western North Carolina's most
distinguished citizens." The Owen
family, he said, "has contributed in
untold ways to the people of Western
North Carolina."
Construction of the building was ap
proved as part of a statewide bond
referendum in March, 1976, for capital
improvements among a number of
state institutions.
It was built during the past year and
a half, a time which Dr. Highsmith
ruefully described as "18 months of
sheer agony." Even though it was not
completely furnished and ready for
use when it was opened for this show
ing, the chancellor said he wanted to
go ahead with the dedication because
there is a large bronze plaque beside
the front entrance which "was
ordered months ago. That plaque says
1979."
Architect j. Bertram King of
Asheville said the building "has
everything needed in a conference
center, including a view of Pisgah."
The wide glass wall of the top-floor
conference room frames a splendid
panorama of Mt. Pisgah and its
neighboring peaks on Asheville's
western horizon.
The Owen Building's three floors
cover 48,000 square feet. Besides
classrooms, offices, seminar and con
ference rooms for the Management
Department, the building is complete
ly equipped with studios, classrooms,
offices and workrooms for painting
and drawing, ceramics and pottery,
printmaking, jewelry, sculpture, tex
tiles and other arts. The entrance lob
by is the largest and most striking of
the exhibition galleries for the Art
Department.
The building itself, with its dramatic
covered balcony extending from the
top-floor conference room, is a hand
some work of architecture blending
easily with the adjoining Zageir Social
Sciences Building and the rest of the
campus.
Chancellor Highsmith said the ac
commodations for the Management
Department will make it possible for
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