The Rice Thresher

Location: http://the.ricethresher.org/news/2004/10/22/farewell_party_camacho

October 22, 2004 > News > SA throws farewell party

SA throws farewell party

By Lindsey Gilbert | Thresher Editorial Staff

More than 700 students turned out Wednesday to say an official good-bye to former Vice President for Student Affairs Zenaido Camacho. The farewell party, sponsored by the Student Association, began at 9 p.m. when Camacho and his wife, Carol, entered the Grand Hall of the Student Center to cheers and applause. ‘When [Camacho] walked in the room, everyone gave him a standing ovation as he walked up to the front, and you could see everyone really appreciated all he’s done for the university,’ SA President Derrick Matthews, who planned the event along with Lovett College Senator Aparna Shewakramani and Baker College Senator Drew Tedford, said. Camacho retired suddenly at the beginning of August. The SA spent about $2,500 of its $10,000 yearly budget on the meet-and-greet-style reception, mostly on refreshments. The SA hired Rice Catering to supply bite-sized desserts, such as mini cheesecakes and brownies. Nearly all the desserts, including 150 dozen cookies, disappeared by the end of the two-hour event. ‘It’s a fun night, but it’s a sad night,’ Camacho said of the party. ‘I just miss everybody.’ Two student groups, Spontaneous Combustion and the Philharmonics, gave short performances. Spontaneous Combustion made friendly jabs at Camacho during their improvisational comedy routine, and the Phils sang their original song ‘I Want to Run in Baker 13,’ during which Camacho jumped onstage. In a brief ceremony, each college president presented Camacho with a scrapbook, and several also presented small gifts and memorabilia. Lovett senior Kate Hurtekant, the chair of the Recreation Center Advisory Council, honored Camacho with a lifetime membership to the Recreation Center. After accepting the gifts, Camacho sang the Spanish-language song ‘Las Maņanitas’ to his wife Carol. The Camachos will celebrate their 40th anniversary this year. Camacho thanked students for attending the party. ‘The last 10 years at Rice have been the best 10 years of our lives,’ Camacho said in a tearful speech. ‘You’ve made us very happy. Thank you and thank you and thank you.’ Attendees responded to the two-minute speech with another standing ovation. Some students said they came to the event for free food. Others said they attended to talk with Camacho, who stayed at the party until after 11 p.m. to greet students. ‘One of the reasons I came is that I wanted to thank him,’ Baker College senior Adam Davis said. ‘I’m on the indoor track team, and when we went all the way to Fayetteville, LA for Nationals he was there. He really cares about all the students.’ Matthews said he received mostly positive feedback from attendees. ‘Most students seemed grateful that the SA stepped up and did something, since a lot of people haven’t had the chance to see Dr. Camacho since they came back from the summer,’ Matthews, a Will Rice College senior, said. The SA began planning the event in September. More than 200 students placed orders for bobblehead dolls resembling Camacho, Matthews said. The SA began taking orders at the party and will continue to do so on the SA Web site, http://sa.rice.edu. The $5 bobblehead dolls, which are partially subsidized by a Rice alumnus, will arrive in January. Also for sale at the party were T-shirts made by Baker College featuring an image of Camacho and the Chinese symbol for ‘Zen.’ Although Camacho and his wife have attended several Rice sporting events on campus this semester, this is the first time he has spoken publicly to students since his retirement in August. Carol Camacho said she enjoyed interacting with students at the party. ‘I’m sad, I’m proud of all the efforts the students have made,’ she said. ‘It’s been a lovely night. I’m just sorry everyone had to hear my husband sing.’

End of article

Back to top