Delivered in Memorial Plaza, 8:30 p.m., Friday, May 10, 2002
The presenters, all members of the College Committee on the Naming Initiative, and their connection to McDaniel College:
| Yolanda
Hill is a junior from Washington, D.C. Jamin Bartolomeo is a junior from Germantown, Md. Phil Enstice, class of 1971, Ellicott City, Md., is president of the Alumni Association. Pam Zappardino, class of 1971, Westminster, Md., is president-elect of the Alumni Association. Doug and Celeste White of Broomall, Pa., are the parents of junior Erin White. Paul Miller is assistant professor of history. James Lightner, class of 1959, is professor of mathematics emeritus. |
Sam
Case, class of 1963 and M.Ed. 1966, is provost and dean of
the faculty. Martha O’Connell is dean of admissions. Dolores Snyder, M.Ed. 1963, is a member of the Board of Trustees. M. Lee Rice, class of 1948, is a member of the Board of Trustees. Joan Develin Coley is president of McDaniel College. James Melhorn is chairman of the Board of Trustees. |
College President:
Joan Develin Coley:
We are gathered here this evening as a community--as a family--to re-name our College.
We are a diverse group. We represent all ages and walks of life.
This college is the thread that binds us together, and the single thread we all share.
What one name could possibly represent us all?
From our midst came 418 choices. From our midst came the criteria. The new name must reflect College heritage. It must have clarity, distinction, and longevity – both a past and a future.
It must be a valid name for this College.
One by one, each name was considered by the Committee seated here on stage. And one name at a time, the list grew shorter.
Out of our community and because of its nature, one name emerged as the clear and perfect choice.
On April 20, the trustees made it official. Their vote was unanimous.
We name this College for someone who personifies our mission. And our essence.
We name this college for a person whose life was changed here on the hill. A person who, in turn, changed lives.
We name this college for a man who often said, “There shall be no Alps.” His can-do motto set the cadence of his life and that of the College as well. No mountain ever has been too high for either to climb.
He, more than any before or since, was one of us all.
Students:
Yolanda Hill '03: We name this college for a student…
Jamin Bartolomeo '03: One of us…
Yolanda: He studied by the dim light of the coal oil lamp in Old Main’s
number six.
Jamin: And graduated, three months shy of his 19th birthday in 1880, second
in his class of six men and four women.
Alumni:
Phil Enstice '71: We name this college for an alumnus…
Pam Zappardino '71: One of us…
Phil: A devoted alumnus throughout his life, he served as treasurer of
the Alumni Association for 50 years.
Pam: And, to keep us all in touch with one another, started the Alumni
Bulletin, predecessor of our award-winning Hill magazine.
Faculty:
Paul Miller, History Department: We name this college for a professor…
Jim Lightner '59 emeritus, Mathematics Department: One of us…
Paul: Called out of graduate school to fill in for an ailing professor,
he taught mathematics, astronomy and for several years calisthenics, believing,
in his words, “the educational pilgrim … needs a guide, a counselor
and friend.”
Jim: He remained for life – a much loved mentor and dedicated teacher.
Two of his students would go on to be presidents of the College that would
someday bear his name. Despite full-time administrative duties, he remained
in the classroom and taught students for 36 years.
Parents:
Doug White: We name this College for a parent, grand-parent and great-grandparent…
Celeste White: One of us…
Doug: Lovingly known as “Papa,” he trusted this College with
his only child, Dorothy, who graduated summa cum laude in 1918.
Celeste: After his death, his grandson, Ober Herr, and great-granddaughter,
Karen Herr Mallonee, would graduate from the College that truly is a family
legacy.
Administrators:
Sam Case '63; M.Ed.66, provost: We name this College for an administrator…
Marty O’Connell, dean of Admissions: One of us…
Sam: Attentive to detail and a skilled policy maker, he served as vice
president for 30 years and treasurer for nearly 50 years. During the absences
of two early presidents, he ably led the College. Each time, in the words
of one Alumni Association president, “this Captain kept her under
the right stars and straight on her course,”
Marty: All the while – whether as a young professor or the acting
president – he greeted students with a smile and knew each one by
name. They were and are family – his and ours.
Trustees:
Dolore Snyder M.Ed.'63: We name this college for a trustee…
Lee Rice '48: One of us…
Dolly: He was named a trustee for life in 1911, and frequently wore more
than one hat – professor, vice-president, treasurer, acting president,
trustee – all at the same time.
Lee: His honors were many – a home on the Hill, a building in his
name, his portrait on the wall, the first honorary Doctor of Science degree
ever granted by this College. Yet a sense of purpose continued to guide
his actions, and humility was his way.
Chair of the Board of Trustees:
James Melhorn: He was William Roberts McDaniel. Billy Mac – student,
parent, alumnus, professor, administrator, trustee.
One of us – the men and women whose lives were touched and somehow
changed here on the Hill. And all of us – who change lives.
We name this College… McDaniel College.
McDaniel College in honor of the man and the traditions,
McDaniel College in honor of the people and the culture.
McDaniel College to honor this remarkable institution. One of the finest
in the nation.
Video presentation
President:
Dr. Coley: Tonight we celebrate our heritage and our future.
Most of all, we celebrate our community – the McDaniel College family.
Please stop by Decker Center to pick up your souvenir T-shirt – and
be sure to wear it proudly wherever this summer takes you. There’s
plenty of food and more music. We thank our Jazz Workshop directed by
Bo Eckard.
A spectacular fireworks display at 10:30 will close the evening’s
festivities and launch this next chapter in our history.
Thank you for coming. Thank you for being so much a part of this exciting
process. And thank you for your support of McDaniel College.