Bio

Charles Cawein will always hold a unique spot in the history of Orange County Community College. He was the first student to apply for admission to the College upon its founding in 1950, and soon after set forth on a sterling athletic career during the formative days of the Colts’ competitive sports program.

As captain and leading scorer of the men’s basketball squad, Cawein was named the College’s first Athlete of the Year in 1951. He averaged a team-high 19 points per game and set a single-game scoring record of 30 points versus Albany that stood for several years after his graduation. His 15 points-per-game scoring average in 1951-52 also led the Colts’ hardwood efforts. Cawein was named captain of the College’s first soccer team in 1951.

Away from the competitive environment, Cawein served as a member of the Student Council for two years and was appointed as a special assistant to athletic director Chris Chachis. Cawein instructed selected physical education classes in order to free up Chachis for his expanded duties as athletic director. Cawein has remained an ardent supporter of the College over the years.

In 1977, at his 25th class reunion, he donated the inaugural 1951 “Athlete of the Year” cup for display in the Physical Education Building. He also delivered the 50th Anniversary Commencement address, on behalf of the College’s alumni, in May 2000. Cawein, who was chief financial officer of Horton Hospital from 1966 to 1995, was honored by Orange County Executive Mary M. McPhillips when she proclaimed May 18, 1990, as “Charlie Cawein Day” in the county.