Nine Louisiana College faculty members were awarded named
chairs or professorships during recent Founders Day ceremonies at
the school.
The Louisiana Baptist school celebrated its 94th year of service
to Christian higher education during annual ceremonies on the Pineville campus
last month. The Louisiana Baptist school was founded in 1906.
Nine Louisiana College faculty members were awarded named
chairs or professorships during recent Founders Day ceremonies at
the school.
The Louisiana Baptist school celebrated its 94th year of service
to Christian higher education during annual ceremonies on the Pineville campus
last month. The Louisiana Baptist school was founded in 1906.
A highlight of the Founders Day service was presentation
of the chairs and professorships as well as the awarding of two Trustees
Distinguished Service Awards. The trustee awards are presented annually to select
individuals for exceptional service to the church, outstanding achievement in
the arts and exemplary service to philanthropy toward Louisiana College.
This year, school trustees bestowed service awards on Sellers
Aycock and Joe Smith Jr., both of whom are alumni of Louisiana College.
Aycock is a Louisiana businessman and 1955 graduate who served
years as a Louisiana College trustee (including four as board chair) and as
president of the schools Alumni Association. He also served as chair of
the search committee that nominated current LC President Rory Lee in 1997. He
previously received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Louisiana Baptist
school.
Smith is a retired Central Louisiana newspaper publisher and
a 1943 graduate with a long association with the Louisiana Baptist school. Smith
served in various capacities with the Alexandria Daily Town Talk, including
president and chair, prior to retiring in 1996. He was active in Central Louisiana
activities and previously received the Doctor of Laws honor from Louisiana College.
Meanwhile, presentation of named chairs and professorships
during Founders Day ceremonies featured the first recipient of the James
Young Professorship in Religion. The professorship is named in honor of James
A. Young, who served for years as chair of the Louisiana College religion department
and holds professor emeritus status from the school. The Young professorship
was awarded to Gerald Heard, who serves as professor of philosophy and religion
and coordinator of the values program at the Louisiana Baptist school.
Other Louisiana College faculty members receiving named chairs
or professorships during last months ceremonies include:
Barbara Clevenger, assistant professor of accounting
and finance, who was awarded the Ray Frye Pro-fessorship in Business. The professorship
was established by the Frye family in memory of Ray Frye and in recog-nition
of his successful business career in the Central
Louisiana area.
Phyllis Chelette, chair of the division of nursing
and associate professor of nursing, who was awarded the Coughlin-Saunders Foundation
Chair in Nursing. The chair was established to enhance the quality of nursing
at Louisiana College.
Jennifer Dabbs, chair of the division of human
behavior and associate professor of sociology, who was awarded the Herman and
Norma Walker Chair in Sociology. The chair is named for the Walkers, who were
described during recent ceremonies as “committed to Christian higher education
and devoted to Louisiana College.”
Connie Douglas, professor of English, who was
awarded the McCormick-Huie Professorship, which was established by the Joe D.
Smith family.
Ben Hawkins, vice president for academic affairs
and student life, who was awarded the Hubert and Madolene D. Reding Professorship
in Business.
Stan Poole, associate professor of English, who
was awarded the Olive Ann Rau Chair in English. Rau was a lifelong supporter
of the College.
William Simpson, professor of history, who was
awarded the Earl Hogan Professorship, which was established in honor of Hogans
sons.
Wade Warren, coordinator of the department of biology and assistant professor
of biology, who was awarded the C.J. Cavanaugh Chair in Biology. The chair was
established by former students of Cavanaugh, who holds professor emeritus status
from the school.