Volume 80, Issue 28 Web Edition
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April 22, 2015
Groundbreaking
at BC today
Construction officially
begins for new residence
By Elizabeth Harrison
Director of Communications and Media Relations
Today, Brevard College begins a new chapter
in its history with a formal groundbreaking cer
emony for its 84-bed residence hall.
“With our recent record enrollment numbers,
it’s the perfect time for a project like this,” said
Brevard College President David Joyce. “The
new residence hall signifies that we are on track
with our goals.”
The $6.38 million project is funded by a loan
from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a
bridge loan from Bank of North Carolina. Con
struction is slated to finish in June 2016, with
students moving in by fall of 2016.
The new residence hall is the first phase of a
larger project, which includes a second new resi
dence hall and the addition of green space to create
a more pedestrian- and cycling-friendly campus.
In October 2014, the administration unveiled
the design to students and used their feedback to
improve the plan.
“At Brevard, we truly appreciate collaborative
efforts,” said Joyce. “We received feedback on
this project from the entire campus community.”
The residence hall will take advantage of Kings’
Creek and sweeping mountain views by featur
ing ample grass, a terrace and student gathering
spaces. A combination of suite-style and single
rooms encourage communal living with amenities
and common living areas. Future improvements
include a pavilion in the middle of the residential
quad.
“The new residence hall is designed with
community-building as the goal,” said Brevard
College Dean for Students Debora D’Anna. “We
hope that by providing a balance between living
space and gathering space, it will enhance the
overall student experience.”
Plans are in the works to include energy-
efficient features, as many recycled materials as
possible and an appearance that is consistent with
the rest of campus, Joyce said.
McMillan Padzen and Smith is the project
architect and Brantley Construction Company is
the contractor.
Norm Witek retires
after 47 years at BC
By Hannah Cook
staff Writer
Farewell to Norman Witek after 47 years of
dedication and excellence.
After 47 years of dedication to Brevard College,
Coach and instructor Norman Witek will be retir
ing. Reflecting on his time here, Witek’s fondest
memories have been working with the runners
that he has coached. Witek recalls that his dream
upon graduating college was to coach a national
championship collegiate team for track or cross
country. Soon after finishing college, he was hired
for the position of head cross country and track
coach here at Brevard College in 1968.
“When I was first hired at Brevard it was a 50/50
job,” Witek said. “50 percent was in athletics and
50 percent was in teaching.” As his first few years
of being an instructor at the college, Witek taught
a slew of different classes in the physical educa
tion major, such as gymnastics, tumbling, archery,
and dance, all the while building a strong cross
country and track program here at the college,
though fresh out of college himself It was hard
work and he learned as he went along. “I’d never
shot a bow and arrow in my life!” he recalls. “I
had to go out there and just practice.”
A couple of years later, he moved on to the
athletic director position and after that, he was
granted a division chair title as well. At that point,
Witek was teaching a full load, serving as the head
coach of the track and field program, division
chair, and the athletic director.
During his time at Brevard College, Witek
coached the cross country team through six
national championship titles. In speaking of
his accomplishments, he states “I’ve been very
blessed with finding the right school.” He worked
hard fighting his way to the top in order to make
sure the runners had what they needed. He spent
much time working towards getting better bud
gets for the track and cross country teams and
doing everything he could to make sure the team
reached success.
Recalling the athletes he coached that were part
of his success story, he spoke about two of his
first recruits, Lenox Stewart and Reggie McAfee.
McAfee went on to be the first African American
to run the 4 minute mile, while Stewart went on
the run the 800 meter for the US Olympic team in
Trinidad. On from there, Witek took the program
through a transformation phase. He states that he
was trying to figure out what Brevard was as far
as running was concerned.
He figured out after some trial and error that this
school, with its mountains and endless trails close
by, was best suited for training distance runners.
With that in mind, he took advantage of these re
sources and Witek went on to take his team to win
five national titles, the first one being nationals for
the marathon in which Witek uniquely coached his
team to run as a pack, letting no runner fall behind.
From there on, success bred success.
Witek recalls that “things just began to fall into
place.” When successful athletes would come to
Brevard, other successful athletes were drawn to
the school, creating an ideal situation. These teams
were competitive against division one teams for
years, beating large state schools in competition.
Norman Witek was recognized for his accom
plishments by many, including being inducted into
the hall of fame at the high school he attended and
being the first and only non-professional athlete to
have a shoe named after him (the Adidas ‘Witek’).
After Witek left coaching, he has still been asked
back several times to serve as an interim coach
during coaching transitions.
Looking back on the past 47 years, Witek says
that the values of the college and what BC worked
to instill in its students inspired him in his life.
He remembered these values while raising his
own children. “There’s so much I owe to Bre
vard,” he states in reflection. “There’s so much
its given me.”
Cross country athletes are sad to see Coach
Witek retiring as well, as his passion for the sport
and his love for the team are evident. However,
we have been blessed to work with him and have
him as part of our lives. We wish him the best
in his retirement. After leaving BC, Witek plans
to spend more time traveling to see his children
and grandchildren. In a couple of weeks he will
be celebrating his retirement with his daughter,
Wendi on a trip to Los Vegas.