Charlie Party Photos 1
Dec 12, 2008
Cynthia Kittredge, right, was program emcee
Cook Family arrives at party
with Reid Morgan, Class of 2005
Nancy Whitworth, widow of Will Spong
Kate Wesch, Class of 2006
Former interim Dean Phillip Turner
Several large photographs of Charlie were displayed
Dean Douglas Travis opened the evening's festivities
Faculty sang the Charlie Version of "On The Road Again"
Faculty gift - 1st edition "The Second Coming" Walker Percy
Two scrapbooks filled with well wishes
a North Carolina basketball game in January
plane tickets, car rental and lodging to be at ...
Charlie opens gift from students, staff and administrators
Seminary of the Southwest celebrated Professor Charlie Cook's 24 years of teaching pastoral theology at his retirement party in the Weeks Center December 12. Charlie, who graduated from our seminary in 1974, will retire from full-time teaching at the end of 2008.
All three children of Chris and Charlie were at the party - son Charley, his wife Claire and daughters Murfee and Kelsey - daughter Caroline Baginski, her husband Tom, son Griffin and daughter Grayson - and daughter Catherine Weiss, her husband Jordan and baby son Mason.
Scores of Seminary graduates returned to campus from throughout the country to say Thanks to Charlie. Weeks Center was filled with approximately 250 people including some folks from Pampa, Texas - Charlie's hometown.
The evening opened with two videos about Charlie. The first dealt with Academic Dean Alan Gregory trying to find Charlie in six of his favorite places in Austin including, of course, The Posse. The second was a collection of about 100 photos spanning Charlie's life with many people appearing on camera to recall a favorite tale about Charlie and say "Adios." The video soundtrack was a mix of many of Charlie's favorite songs.
The seminary faculty then gathered to sing the Charlie Version of Willie Nelson's trademark song - "On the Road Again". Ellen Jockusch then presented Charlie with a gift from the faculty - a first edition of Walker Percy's book The Second Coming.
Lisa Mason and Nancy Springer-Baldwin then gave Charlie a gift from students, staff and administrators. Chris and Charlie - both avid fans of North Carolina basketball - will be in Chapel Hill in January to see the #1 ranked Tar Heels play. It will be the first time they will be in the university's Dean Dome basketball arena since the 70s when Charlie served a church there.
The evening then turned to honky tonk country music with a 90-minute performance by Dale Watson and the Lone Stars, one of Austin's top, authentic country bands. Charlie circulated around the dining hall talking with all the guests and then joined Chris for a few dances. Their grandchildren danced energetically throughout the show.
It was a fine celebration for a wonderful person. We Love You, Charlie!
Link to the second photo webpage
Charlie's Farewell Sermon - December 4, 2008
Faculty citation establishing the annual Servant Leadership Award in honor of Charlie
Article on Charlie's seminary ministry by Academic Dean Alan Gregory from March 2009 Ratherview magazine
