Founder’s Day program at MC Homecoming reveals extensive plans and opportunities for the future
Nov. 14, 2022
The annual Founder’s Day dinner and program is a traditional part of Homecoming at Maryville College, but rarely has such an occasion revealed so many plans for the institution’s future.
The event, open to alumni, donors and MC faculty and staff, was held on Friday, Oct. 21, at the Clayton Center for the Arts, and one surprise gave a hint of what would follow in MC President Dr. Bryan F. Coker’s remarks. The student ensemble known as the Tartanband, which pulled double duty this fall as a pep band for the MC Scots football team, lined the grand staircase of the William Baxter Lee III Grand Foyer and serenaded the crowd with three selections, including the Maryville College Fight Song.
“Did everyone enjoy the Tartanband’s participation tonight?” Coker asked the assembled crowd shortly thereafter. “I’m so pleased to announce that we have raised $150,000 of a $175,000 goal to fund start-up costs for what will be known as the Highlander Marching Band. We’re starting with the Tartanband as the pep band but hope to have student musicians on the football field, and in kilts, in the coming years.”
Most of the initiatives announced during Coker’s remarks, which took place along with the annual alumni awards ceremony, in the Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre of the Clayton Center, have been funded by alumni and friends, as well as area organizations and businesses that recognize the value of the Maryville College approach to education, career development and personal development.
Dave Conklin ’65 was lauded for spearheading fundraising efforts for the Maryville College marching band initiative, and Coker recognized members of the milestone classes feted during Homecoming weekend — the classes of 1962, 1972 and 1982 — for their donations and fundraising efforts as well.
Those in the Class of 1972, in particular — which celebrated its 50-year reunion during Homecoming — displayed a most magnanimous Maryville College spirit through their donations, which provided an endowment to establish the Dr. Randolph Shields ’34 Sustainability & Environmental Studies Scholarship. The needs-based financial award will benefit a student studying environmental studies or environmental science, Coker added.
“I may still be relatively new, but Randy Shields is a name I’ve heard often when talking with alumni – his status as a legendary biology professor is quite clear,” Coker said of the long-time faculty member and alum. “This new scholarship aligns quite nicely with our ‘of and for the region’ focus, and we’re excited to help more students study in this opportune field. To date, the Class of 1972 has more than doubled its cumulative giving over last year and is pledging significant dollars to the Maryville Fund and other strategic initiatives.”
The Class of 1972 played a pivotal role in Homecoming weekend, given the members’ celebration of their 50th reunion and the ways in which they renewed their dedication to the Scots legacy: The Blount County Alumni Association named its annual harvest craft fair after Alvin C. Baker ’72, the association’s founder and a long-time volunteer at the annual maker’s market, which is held each year as part of homecoming.
Baker, a beloved member of the alumni community, will also have his name as part of the soon-to-be renovated Willard House, the Queen Anne-style building on campus constructed in 1890 for the College president. As part of his estate, Baker bequeathed funds for the renovation of the building, and the house’s Reception Room will be named in his honor. Another major gift to Willard House announced and celebrated at Founder’s Day came from MC professor emerita Dr. Mary Kay Sullivan and her husband, Bill, designed to “support both the renovation of the Willard House for use as a new Admissions’ Welcome Center, and as well as our Quality Enhancement Program (or ‘QEP’) focused on academic advising, which will be part of our upcoming reaccreditation process,” Coker said.
“With the previous gift from Dan and Shirley Greaser, the Sullivan gift and the Baker bequest, we have now raised nearly 70 percent of the estimated costs to renovate this beautiful and historic structure,” Coker added. “We look forward to the day when we can break ground on this project.”
A new project that will begin immediately, however, is the Witherspoon Lecture Series, named after donors Newell Witherspoon ’52 and his wife, Mary Lee Witherspoon ’56.
“I’m excited to announce that the first Witherspoon Lecture Series will bring Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, hosts of the widely acclaimed Pantsuit Politics podcast, to this auditorium on February 7, 2023,” Coker said. “Pantsuit Politics encourages grace-filled political conversations, and we believe this event will set the tone for future lecture series that bring people together and build community.”
Coker also recognized the family of the late Dr. Regina “Gina” Benedict, a professor of criminal justice and the coordinator of the College’s Criminal Justice program who died unexpectedly in April 2021. Family members endowed a scholarship in her memory, Coker announced, adding that it would benefit students studying criminal justice with a preference given to non-traditional female students. The passion Benedict felt for Maryville College was echoed in the enthusiastic turnout for the Austin Coleman Piper Memorial Track dedication, a Homecoming weekend highlight Coker mentioned that honored another fallen Scot: “Cole” Piper ’68, who also died unexpectedly in August 2021.
While loss precipitated some of the gifts announced during the Founder’s Day program, others have been inspired by recent decisions and developments at the College, such as the launch of the Hospitality and Regional Identity major.
“The major’s launch has generated much buzz and enthusiasm, and tonight, I’m excited to report that it has also generated much support,” he said. “Today, we have commitments of almost $2 million — spread over five years — from David and Annie Colquitt, proprietors of RT Lodge; from Blackberry Farm and the Beall family; and from the Blount Partnership.
“This funding will cover the first five years of the program, allowing us to launch it with no impact on our current operating dollars. We aim to develop a top-rate academic program, which will uniquely prepare students for numerous opportunities in this field.”
Alumni Awards presented
While the president’s remarks were certainly a highlight of the Founder’s Day program, much of the applause was spent acknowledging the winners of the 2022 alumni awards. Emceed by comedian Joel Byars ’10, the program featured short inspirational videos from each of the winners, who were all three present to accept their awards and speak briefly to the audience.
The College’s Alumni Citation was presented to Dr. Madlon Travis Laster ’56 and Dr. James Laster Jr. ’56. The Alumni Citation is awarded to any alumnus/a of Maryville College who has demonstrated outstanding leadership or initiative service in his/her community, church or chosen profession.
Cory Howard ’10 received the Kin Takahashi Award for Young Alumni, which is given to an alumnus/a who has, within 20 years of his/her graduation from Maryville College, lived a life characteristic of College legend Kin Takahashi (Class of 1895), a Scot who worked tirelessly for the betterment of his alma mater, his church and his society.
Performances by student vocal ensemble Off Kilter were also a part of the program, and in closing, Coker noted that this particular Homecoming weekend was one of celebration of success, gratitude for achievements and support and determination to grow as an institution that itself does good on the largest possible scale.
“To all of you here, the state of Maryville College is strong — we have defied the odds — and continue to defy the odds, following a global pandemic, and during a period of much disruption in American higher education,” he said. “And as we look forward, I am pleased to tell you that interest in the College and our future is very strong – we have received a record number of admissions applications for next Fall, certainly the most in our recent history. The future of Maryville College looks quite bright.”
