An Interview with Dr. Lilly: Looking Ahead

Dr. Claude Lilly

In the past semester and a half, we’ve all known Dr. Claude Lilly in different ways—as the New President, as Santa Claus at the study breaks in December, and most recently in his groundbreaking role in the 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. However, as the semester reaches midterm and preparations begin (yes, even this early) for next year, questions have arisen regarding the future of PC, concerning finances, dormitories, and security, to name a few. After receiving several of your questions and concerns for PC, I sat down with Dr. Lilly on Friday of last week and asked about some of these issues:

Rice: Many students feel as though there has been a decrease in scholarships in recent years, or at least that they have lost money in scholarships.  In the past, PC has provided for 70% of the total costs of tuition, as compared with most other institutions’ rate of 50% or lower.

Lilly: “The key word here is sustainability. With the state of finance, it is imperative that we get more in line with the other institutions in the state. What I want to see is a strong and viable PC in 2050, and I think cutting back slowly is going to be one way to get us there.”

Rice: As students may be aware, the Board of Trustees has also recently decided to increase tuition by 3%, which comes to somewhere around $1200. Nationally, there has been a 2-3% inflation rate in the last year, and colleges are increasing tuition for next year from 2 to 5 percent.

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How the Gap Closes Between Students and Administration

Dr. Joy Smith

Not often enough on college campuses is time devoted to discussions amongst students and administration. Everyday students converse about what is important to them while attending college and most of this is unheard by administration because of the gap that exists between the two. PC now has the privilege of narrowing this gap by introducing a new VP and experienced Dean of Students.

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No, He Does Not Have a Cane

I sat down with PC’s new band director Dr. Richard House to find out about his past experience and what his hopes are for the future of PC’s bands.

Dr. House’s previous work experience includes four years at Bridgewater University in Virginia, five years at Augusta State, and most recently, five years at Claflin University. Here at PC, he teaches all of the bands: wind ensemble, jazz band, and pep band. He also directs the brass quintet and gives trumpet and French horn lessons.

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