HOMECOMING MEMORIES

HONORARY ALUMNI AWARDS CONFERRED ON CAFARO, CARMICHAEL

Dr. Joe Cafaro and Bobby Carmichael Jr. earned the distinction of being named honorary alumni during Homecoming.

Dr. Cafaro is a retired professor from LaGrange College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Florida Atlantic University, and a master’s degree and doctorate in modern European studies with a concentration in Russian history from Florida State University.

He came to LaGrange in 1984 as a history professor, a position he held until his retirement in 2017. Previously, Dr. Cafaro taught at Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College.

While at LaGrange, he prepared three lectures focusing on Spain, Croatia and Vietnam for the college’s 3D Journeys program. Dr. Cafaro also helped with the implementation of “Gateway to Success,” a college 101 program for entering freshmen. He served as its co-director from 1987-2000 and 2009-2011.

In his retirement, Dr. Cafaro became involved with Panther Treks, a LaGrange College alumni travel program that ran through 2020. He led trips in England, France and Italy.

Carmichael is the vice chairman of LaGrange College’s Board of Trustees. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Auburn University and a graduate degree from Louisiana State University’s School of Banking.

He was the president of Commercial Bank and Trust for 22 years and a Certified Public Accountant for seven years. He retired as the executive director of the Development Authority of LaGrange and the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority in 2018.

Carmichael, who has been a Board member since 1994, was first elected chairman in 2018. He has worked on the college’s three most recent presidential search committees.