Carissa Rodeheaver, who led the Garrett College Foundation Board of Directors through two successive – and highly successful – capital campaigns, will step down as board chair on June 30th.
“There’s a lot of change in my life right now with my retirement,” said Rodeheaver, who recently retired as president, chief executive officer, and board chair for First United Bank & Trust. “When I commit to something, I want to be fully committed – and I wanted to be able to fully commit to the things I plan to do in retirement.”
Rodeheaver will be succeeded as chair by current Vice Chair Rosie Versteegen.
Rodeheaver stepped into the GCF Board’s chair role in 2022, just as Garrett College and the Foundation were planning the Performing Arts Center Capital Campaign. Cherie Krug, executive director of the Foundation, recalled “there was some trepidation about launching a campaign in COVID” – but the Foundation and the College raised $3.6 million on a $2.5 million goal.
“COVID was a difficult time for everyone, but I think at the heart of it everyone still has those things that are important to them,” said Rodeheaver. “One of those things is philanthropy.
“I think it was a risk, but a risk that paid off,” Rodeheaver added. “We had to do things differently in terms of meetings and discussions, but people are pretty agile and persistent – and you just figure things out.”
There were also doubts about the viability of an athletics capital campaign, recalled Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president.
“We had never raised any appreciable amount for athletics,” said Midcap. “We set out to raise at least $500,000 with a stretch goal of $1 million to help with the costs of the Athletic Building renovation. A lot of people were skeptical, but Carissa and the directors embraced the challenge – and we’re going to get very close to or exceed $1 million raised when all is said and done.”
“Different people have different interests and are willing to make commitments to support those interests,” Rodeheaver said of the success of the athletics campaign. “This also wasn’t just about supporting the College. The new turf field opened up a lot of opportunities for the high schools and the youth leagues. This campaign benefits not only the College but the entire community.
“I’d like to commend staff and everyone who said, ‘We need to do this, and we’re just going to get it done,’ ” added Rodeheaver.
Rodeheaver and Versteegen were co-chairs of the College’s first-ever capital campaign – the 2018-20 STEM campaign that raised $2.5 million for the Daniel E. Offutt III STEM Center that opened in 2018. Thus, Rodeheaver has had leadership roles in all three of Garrett College’s capital campaigns, which have collectively raised over $7 million.
Rodeheaver – who has served more than two decades on the Foundation Board – said “seeing the College thrive” has been the most satisfying part of her time as Board chair.
“I use that word because it wasn’t just that the College grew,” added Rodeheaver. “The campaigns enabled the addition of the Performing Arts Center and the STEM building – which provided excellent opportunities for students in science and math. Seeing the new credit programs like radiologic technology and paramedics being added, I was pleased the Foundation could help the College find the resources to expand programs that are critical to our community.”
Rodeheaver plans to stay on the Foundation board for the coming academic year to help in the transition to new leadership before stepping off the Board in 2027.
“While the College is still a passion, I also think it’s important for organizations to periodically have new blood and new leadership,” explained Rodeheaver. “I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Midcap and the Foundation team, past Chair Susie Crawford, and many people committed to the success of the College and our Community, and I am grateful to have been a part of the success.”
Photo Cutline: Carissa Rodeheaver stepped down as chair of the Garrett College Foundation Board of Directors on June 30.
