The Concordian

Media Credit: Svilen Trifonov [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Svilen Trifonov [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Svilen Trifonov [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Svilen Trifonov [Click to enlarge]

[Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Svilen Trifonov [Click to enlarge]

On Monday, March 1, Concord celebrated its 138th anniversary. The Founders’ Day Celebration and Convocation of Scholars took place in the Fine Arts Auditorium and was held to honor and award various members of the Concord community.

The celebration began with the CU Symphonic Band playing “The Heart of Bits” and “Missa Miserecorde,” directed by Laura Zamzow. Next, President Aloia introduced the guests in attendance, including former Concord president Dr. Jerry Beasley.

Then, Dr. Kendra S. Boggess, Associate Dean, introduced the nominees for the Faculty Teaching award: Paula Elliott, Division of Education; Dr. Rod Klein, Division of Social Sciences; Dr. Lauri Reidmiller, Division of Fine Arts; and Dr. Dianna Ross, Division of Business. Based on nominations by her colleagues, the recipient of the award was Dr. Reidmiller, who has achieved numerous artistic honors, including showing her work at Tamarack.

Next, Associate Dean Dr. George Towers presented the nominees for the Faculty Scholarship/Creativity award: Dr. He-Boong Kwon, Division of Business; and Dr. Nicholas Miceli, Division of Business. Dr. Kwon ultimately received the award for his accomplished work in research.

At this point in the program, the ConChords sang two songs directed by Joshua Miller: “Swing Down Chariot,” a traditional African American spiritual arranged by Andre Thomas; and “Wildfire” by the Nylons arranged by Miller. This was the highlight of the program to this point, as the talented group of only five produced a sound so full and strong with only their acapella harmonies that it captured the full attention of the audience. The group consists of Mike Dorsey, tenor; Jamie Suroski, tenor; Matt Hamilton, baritone; John Wisman, baritone; and Miles Vaughn, bass.

After this entertaining performance, Dr. Towers announced the nominees for he Faculty Service award: Kevin Bennington, Division of Fine Arts; Dr. David Campbell, Division of Education and Human Performance; Dr. Sally Campbell, Division of Social Sciences; Dr. Angelique Edwards, Division of Education and Human Performance; Dr. Carol Manzione, Division of Social Sciences; and Dr. Jim White, Division of Social Sciences. Bennington won this award for his leadership and coordination of internships.

Then, Steve Jarvis presented the nominees for the Staff Presidential Service award: Gene Buckland, Maintenance; Carolyn Cox, Registrar; Sarah Dalton, Advancement; Janet Heaton, Natural Sciences Division; and Lynnis Hill, Student Center. This award was given to Dalton.

Finally, Kathy Ball introduced the nominees for the Student Service award: Natasha Cline, Business Administration with an emphasis in Management; Curtis Kearns, Political Science; Carly Stout, Biology; Afton Wickline, Pre-professional Biology; and Jeff Yeager, History with concentration in Philosophy and English with an emphasis in Literature. For this award, Stout received the honor.

Next, the Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Mary Edna Beckett, a Concord alumnus. After graduating, she began working here in 1959 and was honored with the titles of President of Faculty and Chair of the Division of Natural Sciences. She also portrayed “leadership through service” by developing the tradition of the annual honors banquet, which still continues today.

In the next part of the program, Dr. Joseph Manzo declared 2010 as the year of international initiatives at Concord. The university aims to expand international opportunities for students and “make the textbook come alive.” Concord currently houses 100 international students from 26 different countries, and wants to help our traditional students share in this adventure by increasing study abroad opportunities.

The remainder of the program was focused on our guests from India, Dr. Raejndra Gupta, Dr. M. L. Swarankar, and Dr. Abhijit S. Pandya. Dr. Aloia recognized each of these individuals for their work in helping our university to expand its global initiatives. They sponsored four students and one professor from Concord, allowing them to travel to Jaipur, India to study medicine at the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital.

For his enormous efforts in the area of philanthropy, Dr. Aloia presented Dr. Swarankar with an honorary Doctorate Degree of Philosophy and Humanities. Dr. Swarankar is the chairman and managing trustee of the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital. He established the hospital in 2000, caring for over 1000 patients per day at no cost to them. Most patients are economically struggling, and the hospital provides all services for free to those in need.

“Property must be utilized for the welfare of the people,” Dr. Swarankar said.

A year after establishing the hospital, Dr. Swarankar added a medical college to help the population at large through education. He believes in Mahatma Gandhi’s mission of “truth, nonviolence, and freedom” and he hopes to continue that legacy in his work.

Dr. Swarankar also presented Concord with a gift as well: a statue of Gandhi to show that he wants to “join hands with Concord.” Along with this, he shared a video of the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital to show the audience his life’s work.

The generosity and kindness shown by Dr. Swarankar made clear why he was deserving of an honorary degree in the humanities. On this uplifting note, the ConChords ended the ceremony by singing “The Concord University Alma Mater.”

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