CIC is saddened to share the news that former CIC employee and higher education leader Barbara “Barbe” Hetrick passed away in June 2023. Hetrick served CIC from 2007 to 2021. During that time, she held a variety of roles including director of CIC grants solicitation and stewardship, vice president for development, and later as senior advisor for several individual programs. She fully retired from CIC in 2021.
Before CIC, Hetrick was vice president for academic affairs and professor of sociology at Catawba College in North Carolina. Earlier, she was vice president for academic affairs at The College of Wooster from 1997 to 2002 and in a similar role at Hood College from 1985 to 1995. She also served as vice president of the Maryland Independent College and University Association. Hetrick graduated from McDaniel College and earned her PhD in sociology from the University of Maryland.
At CIC, Hetrick drew upon her significant campus experience to manage multiple large grants and lead several major projects. One such project was an initiative supported by the Walmart Foundation that pioneered models of success for first-generation students and led to a report, largely written by Hetrick, that attracted wide attention. Her insights into how to build relationships with sponsors, retired presidents, and affiliated organizations were instrumental in CIC’s development.
Hetrick is remembered fondly by staff at CIC for her energy, infectious laugh, and exceptional proofreading skills. She was an avid fan of both the Baltimore Ravens and the band Queen, and she loved good recipes and all dogs.
We at CIC will carry on our work on behalf of independent colleges and universities with fond memories of our colleague and friend.
Hetrick is remembered fondly for her infectious laugh and energy (pictured here at CIC’s 2016 Presidents Institute in Miami Beach, Florida).