New MUW president meets alumni

By Staff
By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Nov. 19, 2002
The new president of Mississippi University for Women began a statewide tour in Meridian on Monday, meeting with alumni and discussing plans for the university's future.
Dr. Claudia A. Limbert, the school's 13th president, met with alumni at Meridian Community College.
Limbert said school officials are coping with millions of dollars in damage from a tornado that struck Columbus on Nov. 10 damaging many of the school's buildings.
Of the 60 buildings on campus, 25 were affected by the tornado, including the Fine Arts Building, Hogarth Cafeteria, McDevitt Hall and Emma Ody Pohl Gymnasium.
Federal and state funding has been received, and Limbert said administrators are beginning to map out a repair plan.
Limbert, originally from Missouri, said she decided before the tornado hit that she would travel around the state, meet with MUW alumni and get to know Mississippi.
The tour, called the "Statewide Conversation," was an idea that began during Limbert's previous job as campus executive officer at Penn State University, DuBois.
Local alumni said they were happy Limbert was able to visit Meridian in spite of the tornado.
Others wanted to meet Limbert and find out more about the school.
Susan Boatner, who graduated from the University of Alabama last year, plans to pursue a master's degree in speech pathology at The W. She mailed her application on Monday.
In addition to answering questions about the tornado, Limbert outlined her goals as president: positive public relations, better enrollment and more money for the school.
Limbert File
Name: Dr. Claudia A. Limbert
Job: President, Mississippi University for Women
Education: Bachelor's degree in English, history and education from Bethel College in Kansas; master's degree in creative writing; doctorate in English literature from Boston University.
Family: Four children, two grandchildren.