“The pleasure of your company is requested at a community Celebration to recognize the leadership of Dr. Kim Goldenberg, fifth president of Wright State University.”  Four hundred Daytonians, and WSU professors, area college presidents, Board members… gathered at the Dayton Art Institute last Thursday evening for one of Dayton’s biggest and most prestigious galas.

The cocktail hour was in the sculpture gallery (‘old timers’ still call it “…where the armored knight sat on his war horse at the head of the grand staircase”) – and – all three hundred and ninety-eight guests tried to speak to Kim and Shelly!  And they did!  Shelly told several of the ladies that “…we’ve already moved to Bellbrook…the university is working on the president’s house.”  Another group of ladies converged. Dr. Kim was heard to tell his ring of ‘congratulators’ that he’d just head a wonderful description of ‘retirement’.  “Retirement means going from tension – to pension.”

‘The Four Hundred’ were seated (comfortably) in the Cloister at tables for ten. Naturally, it took quite a while to get everyone to “…please be seated”…but it was a great opportunity to see everyone who was there.  Stuart McDowell, Chair of the Performing Arts Dept.  was in a rush “…I’ve got a big rehearsal tonight for our ‘Cat On a Hot Tin Roof’.”  David Hopkins, the next president of WSU could be seen across the Cloister. Bob Kegerris, former Pres. of WSU, was there.  Zoe Dell Nutter, Ginny Hess, Dr. Dick DeWall, and Joyce Young were busy locating their tables.  Marcie Muller, the person responsible to making the evening such a success, stopped to chat about ‘Woman’s Literary Club’ and Dayton’s Christ Episcopal Church.

Bing Davis, Steven Foster, Dir. of the WSU Libraries, waved from the next table. Marian Wright and Bill Borchers were at Steven’s table.  Nearby were Charles Taylor & Kim Icouts. Dr. Burt & Alice Saidel were at the same table.  “When you see Burt ask him to tell you the one about…” ”No, but it makes us even!”  Howard Du Four was still receiving kudos on his replica of the Wright Brothers’ 1903 plane hanging in the atrium of the WSU Library.  “You know we had to take down and dismantle our replica hanging in the Student Union – they are doing a big remodeling.  So, we made arrangements to store the plane at Bonebreak Seminary. The seminary was thrilled with the idea – we’d never thought of the connection between Bonebreak and the Wright Brothers…Bishop Wright was a bishop in the EUB Church!”

Bill Pardue was MC for the evening’s festivities. Bill’s chair and CEO of Qbase and former Pres. of Lexis/Nexis. “We’ve got five area college presidents with us this evening plus ex-presidents and civic leaders…. Let’s welcome Brother Raymond Fitz, S.M Ph.D., Ferree Professor of Social Justice, and Past President of the University of Dayton.”  Brother Fitz got a standing ovation and his remarks lauding Dr. Kim received another standing ovation!

One lady at the table was heard to say: “No wonder Brother Fitz was at George Sier’s shop this morning getting his hair cut at 6:30 AM!”

Dave Ponitz, Pres. Emeritus of Sinclair Community College, got the ‘Most Laughs’ award for his remarks. He ended by taking an audience-vote on which of his three ‘titles’ should be hung on Dr. Kim. A weird one won!

Lt. General John Hudson, Commander Aeronautical Systems at WPAFB took the mike.  “It’s my turn to continue the roast…” His enumeration of the many joint-programs between WSU and WPAFB, thanks to Dr. Kim, were most impressive.

There were TV screens all around the Cloister which enabled everyone to enjoy the program – including a ‘documentary’ of Kim and Shelly’s years and accomplishments at WSU. ‘Whatta evening!’ was on the lips of the 398 guests.

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