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MERCERIANTHE A Publication for Alumni and Friends of Mercer University Summer 2006 • Volume 16, Number 2 Accolades Honoring Godsey Soar in Final Days as President s the final days of June 2006 were bringing to a close the Godsey with a similar resolution. sincere best wishes for continued health The Senate Resolution recognized and happiness.” 27-year presidency of R. Kirby Godsey, the Mercer senior Godsey, who will retire from the office of When Godsey became president of president on June 30, for the vital role Mercer in 1979, the University was administrator was the recipient of several honors he has played in providing leadership in composed of four schools –– two in education and in serving Georgia and Macon and two in Atlanta –– and had bestowed upon him in the past months. These U.S. citizens. The resolution was an enrollment of 3,800 students, an A sponsored by Sens. Cecil Staton (District endowment of $16.5 million, and a recognitions were not only from within the Mercer 18), George Hooks (District 14), Seth budget of $21.3 million. Mercer today Harp (District 29) and Michael S. enrolls more than 7,300 students in community, but also from Georgia’s State Capitol in Atlanta. Meyer von Bremen (District 12). 10 colleges and schools and has a Read before the membership by Sen. budget of $175 million and an At its April meeting, Mercer’s Board Hudson said, “Dr. Godsey talks Telegraph. “It’s a humbling experience. Staton, the resolution noted Godsey’s endowment close to $200 million, of Trustees unanimously approved a extensively about the Mercer Experience I’ve spent many hours and years in that efforts to better his community and state with more than $200 million expected motion to appoint President and CEO and how Mercer wants each student to building. It’s a wonderful tribute.” through his service as president of from planned gifts. R. Kirby Godsey to the position of make a difference in the world that only Mercer University, and through his Godsey is the longest-serving chancellor and university professor, that one student can make. Dr. Godsey GEORGIA writings and community service. president among the public and private effective July 1. The term of the himself epitomizes the Mercer GENERAL ASSEMBLY In its conclusion, the Senate — Continued on page 3 appointment is five years. Experience. He has brought to Mercer resolution stated: “Now, HONORS GODSEY “I have been asked by Trustees a place that only he envisioned, and he therefore, be it resolved what happens after five years,” said has transformed this institution into an The Georgia Senate honored Godsey by the Senate that the David Hudson, chairman of the Board. outstanding university as only he could at the State Capitol in March with a members of this body “Well, I would like there to be five have done. We are profoundly grateful resolution highlighting the many commend Dr. R. Kirby more. But, this is all [Godsey] would that he chose to commit these 27 years accomplishments during his 27-year Godsey for his efficient, agree to right now.” of his life to Mercer.” presidency. The resolution marked the effective, unselfish and He added second time in as many weeks that dedicated service to the “Dr. Godsey himself epitomizes the Mercer that it is only Godsey was honored by Georgia citizens of this state Experience. He has brought to Mercer a place that appropriate that legislators. On Feb. 28, the Georgia and nation and extend the historic House of Representatives honored to him their most only he envisioned, and he has transformed this Administration institution into an outstanding university as Building, with only he could have done.” – DAVID HUDSON “its spires [that] point to the As Chancellor, President Godsey heavens,” bear President Godsey’s will work on projects as assigned by name. Therefore, the building, which President William D. Underwood. has been the seat of every Mercer The Mercer Board of Trustees voted at its “I am gratified by Dr. Godsey’s President since 1876, will now be April 21 meeting to name the historic willingness to continue service to the known as the R. Kirby Godsey Administration Building the University in this new capacity and look Administration Building. The action, R. Kirby Godsey Administration Building. forward to our work together on behalf which was seconded by every former Participating in the presentation of House of Mercer,” said Underwood. chairman in attendance, was approved Resolution 1122 to President Godsey (center) included: left to right, Rep. Robert Ray, Rep. Final action by the Board of with an extended standing ovation. Jim Cole, Rep. David Graves, Rep. Nikki Trustees at the meeting was a tribute to “It was a wonderful day,” President Randall, Rep. David Lucas and Rep. Mark President Godsey. Godsey said in an interview with The Burkhalter (Speaker Pro Tempore). Leavell and Godsey Highlight Macon Undergraduate Commencement By Nancy Fullbright the University’s history, who steps down He opened with a joke. commencement speaker. The bad news we have built or the schools we have as president on June 30 after more than “I have some good news for you is I am your commencement speaker.” begun or even the endowment we have ommencement 27 years of service. and some bad news for you,” Godsey Godsey continued by reiterating a raised,” Godsey said. “The most 2006 marked both President Godsey also celebrated a said. “The good news is I am your common theme of his presidency: the important part of my Mercer journey is firsts and lasts for first. Out of the 250 power that only the difference that you will make. That C ceremonies over which he individual students, difference is all that ultimately matters.” many Mercerians. On May 13, has presided throughout deemed by Godsey as During his address, Godsey more than 460 students from his tenure, the May 13 “unduplicated gifts to introduced Chuck Leavell, keyboardist four schools and colleges commencement –– which the world,” can make. for the Rolling Stones and noted forest included the School of “The most important conservationist, who performed a gathered in the University Engineering, the College of part of my 27-year stirring rendition of “Georgia on My Center for commencement Liberal Arts, the Eugene W. journey at Mercer has Mind.” Leavell was also honored with exercises. Stetson School of Business not been the buildings an honorary doctor of music degree, a and Economics and the moment he called “extraordinary.” The ceremony also marked one of the Tift College of Education Chuck Leavell performed “I cannot hold this podium and “Georgia on My Mind” at the last undergraduate ceremonies presided –– was the first one in not make some comments on the Macon commencement on May over by President and CEO R. Kirby which he delivered the 13 and was recognized with an remarkable man that has led this Godsey, the longest serving president in commencement address. honorary doctorate of music. — Continued on page 5 MERCERIANTHE THE MERCERIAN Summer 2006 • Vol. 16, No. 2 President and CEO R. Kirby Godsey Executive Vice President and Provost Horace W. Fleming Senior Vice President for University Advancement, University Admissions and External Affairs Emily P. Myers Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff Mercer Poised to Provide Leadership in Uniting Baptists Larry D. Brumley Senior Vice President for Finance Thomas G. Estes, Jr. The covenant reaffirms their Underwood said that “Mercer’s role Senior Vice President for Administration ercer joined former United States President Jimmy Richard N. Goddard “commitment to traditional Baptist in organizing the meeting at The Carter Senior Vice President – Atlanta Carter in bringing together the leaders of Baptist Richard V. Swindle values, including sharing the gospel of Center evidences Mercer’s emergence Dean, College of Liberal Arts conventions and organizations from throughout Richard C. Fallis Jesus Christ and its implications for as a truly national Baptist university that Dean, School of Engineering M public and private morality.” It also will continue exploring opportunities to M. Dayne Aldridge North America to explore opportunities for establishing a unified Dean, Eugene W. Stetson School of commits them to “their obligations as relate to a wide diversity of Baptist Business and Economics voice. The meeting was held this spring at The Carter Center in Roger C. Tutterow Christians to promote peace with groups and organizations.” Dean, Tift College of Education Atlanta, with participants representing more than 20 million justice, to feed the hungry, clothe the Attending the meeting at The Carter W. Carl Martray Dean, College of Continuing and Baptists in the United States and Canada. naked, shelter the homeless, care for Professional Studies Thomas E. Kail the sick and the marginalized, welcome “Mercer’s role in organizing the Vice President for University “The meeting was historic. It was together to explore additional the strangers among us, and promote Advancement Administration meeting at The Carter Center Kenny Daugherty, CLA ’80, EDU ’82 historic because of the diversity of opportunities for fellowship and religious liberty and respect for Senior Associate Vice President for evidences Mercer’s emergence University Advancement Baptists represented. North and South. cooperation. While discussions at the religious diversity.” Gloria O. Marshall, CLA ’86 Black and white. Conservative, meeting covered a wide range of topics, The historic meeting developed Vice President for University as a truly national Baptist Development moderate, and progressive. Canadian the leaders focused on the major issues from conversations that started in Jay T. Stroman, SSBE ’91 university that will continue Senior Assistant Vice President and U.S. And it was historic because of facing their organizations as well as the January among Carter and Mercer for Development exploring opportunities to relate Allen S.

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