Meramec bids farewell to provost Carol Lupardus, English style:
BRI HEANEY NEWS EDITOR:
At the end of the school year, Meramec’s presidential office will be as empty as the used tea cups, stained with lipstick and strewn with tea strings, that are scattered across the white linen tables of room BA105 on April 4. It was Meramec provost, Carol Lupardus’ last high tea.
Lupardus began this tradition when she took over as campus provost in 2016, and it is a custom that rings true to her English background.
“This is special. It really is special. It’s our last high tea,” said attendee Theresa Smythe from the ACCESS office, as Lupardus laughed and shook her head.
Lupardus quickly navigated the conversation away from herself, pulling in different faculty members who had been recognized during this particular high tea session.
“We recognized Andrew Smith from Trio for working with the students on African American History Month,” said Lupardus as she continued. The names of Denise Sparuzza, Jeff Schnieder, Sharon Haults, and Tony Frost, among others, were mentioned in recognition at the tea session.
“So much good work is going on, and it gives us a chance to recognize that” said Lupardus whom is moving over to be Wildwood campuses President.
It was under the fluorescent lights, with the hum of other conversations taking place that Lupardus looked down and said, “I’ll miss the energy of this place.” She reminisced on her days of stopping by the Art and English departments.
“It’s a nice time to chill, take a break and drink some tea,” said Lupardus. “It’s a tense time in the semester.”
The tea cup stacks steadily increased as the volume of the chatter decreased, each attendee stopping for one last tea time visit with Lupardus.
“I’ll be back for many visits,” said Lupardus, motioning with palms open to her surroundings. “How could I not?”
