News | 4/28/08

Media Credit: Cara Flynn [Click to enlarge]

Towson President Robert Caret stands just under 6 feet tall with thick salt and pepper hair and a proud posture.

These features, sans his sometimes trademark beard, will forever be preserved in the portrait painted by artist Ned Bittinger.

It was unveiled Thursday afternoon at the Auburn House Pavilion.

Caret pulled off the green curtain draped over his portrait to the sound of applause from various high-ranking University officials, and influential alumni and friends.

"I wish I looked liked that," Caret joked, wearing the same suit at the reception as when he posed for the portrait seven months ago.

"People know it's me and [Bittinger] makes you look bigger than life. It's kind of interesting to look at yourself like that."

The portrait, which depicts Caret leaning against a stone ledge, showcases both the Towson Tiger statue and Stephens Hall in the background, symbols of Towson selected by Caret.

The Alumni Association commissioned the presidential portrait.

"President Caret's mission is so powerful that we wanted to commission the portrait this time to support his ongoing mission and commitment to the campus," Lori Armstrong, associate vice president for alumni relations, said.

Typically, presidential portraits are not unveiled during the current president's tenure.

"We commissioned the last portrait of Dr. [Hoke] Smith too, on his departure and that was his farewell gathering on campus, the unveiling of his portrait."

Kim Fabian, president of the alumni association, views presidential portraits as a gift.

"We thought it would be nice to give it to him while he's still here at the University… it's just a tribute to the vision that he's had since he's been back at the University," Fabian said.

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