The SewaneeMountain MESSENGER Vol. XXXII No. 7 Friday, February 19, 2016 “Sewanee Votes: Let Freedom Th e east-facing elevation of the new Ayres Hall. New Dorm to be Named Ring” Th is Year’s Fourth Th eme Th e Fourth of July Planning Com- for Pat & Bob Ayres mitt ee has begun meeting in prepara- tion for this summer’s big events. Th is year’s theme will be “Sewanee Votes: Regents Approve Other Campus Planning Let Freedom Ring.” At its recent meeting, the Uni- values of service and stewardship in There are many opportunities versity of the South board of regents others. to get involved and make this year’s approved a resolution naming the new Also during the meeting, the Fourth a fabulous celebration. The residence hall being built on Alabama regents reviewed recent progress on planning committee welcomes new Avenue “Ayres Hall” in recognition the University Avenue study and made members; they meet at 5 p.m. at the of the many contributions that Robert several determinations. Th ey approved Senior Center. Th e next meeting will (C’49, H’74) and Patricia (H’98) Ayres planning for “phase one” of the Com- be on April 18. have made to the University and the mons project in the area in and around Volunteers are needed to lead orga- Sewanee community. the University Book and Supply Store, nizing of the parade, for the children’s Robert Moss Ayres Jr. is a member including the EQB building. Th e plans games and for the dunking booth. of Sewanee’s class of 1949 and a busi- will include some combination of fi t- This is a great way to make new nessman from San Antonio, Texas. His ness, wellness, the Sewanee Outing friends, give back to the community leadership during a time of fi scal crisis Program and related functions in and help with this great Sewanee tra- in the mid-1970s and his continued this location. Recommendations for dition. For more information or to George Shinn, South Cumberland State Park Manager, doubles as Davy Crockett with generous support of the school have renovation and possible new construc- off er to help, email Jade Barry at <jade fl int, longbow and a coonskin cap full of yarns. Crockett will be at the Visitors’ Center led many to consider Ayres one of the tion, to be presented in June, will also [email protected]>. Open House on Feb. 27, when the public is invited to see the renovated area with new “modern founders” of the University. include plans for relocating print ser- Organizers of the Street Dance on exhibits, a log cabin to explore, park videos, maps and more. As vice-chancellor from 1977 to 1988, vices and at least some of the current July 3 are looking for a band that would Ayres imposed fiscal discipline and bookstore functions and staff . be interested in playing for the event. erased a $1.2 million defi cit in the fi rst As part of the discussion of the For more information or to recom- fi ve years of his service. Thanks to the Commons, the board decided that mend a band, contact Valerie Parker “Hike into History” success of his Century II Campaign Fulford Hall will remain where it by email to < vennyleal_21@hotmail. (the University’s fi rst capital campaign stands; its long-term use is still to be com> or call (931) 636-5337. Entries in 20 years) and careful management, determined. and suggestions will be accepted until is 2016 FSC Challenge the University’s endowment more Thompson Union and the area March 11. than tripled during the Ayres years. from Fulford to and including the Reb- Th e Friends of South Cumberland (FSC) announces Hike into History, its In 2011, the St. Mary’s Sewanee el’s Rest site will be considered as sites third annual hiking challenge, with a kickoff event on Saturday, Feb. 27. board of trustees announced the for the next phase of the University “The Hike into History theme will highlight the interaction of people naming of its new campus—the Ayres Commons. Plans for phase one of the throughout history with South Cumberland State Park,” said Naullain Kendrick, Center for Spiritual Development—in Commons project and the placement State Park project coordinator. Hike topics include Native American presence, timbering, honor of Bob and Pat Ayres. Together, of the School of Theology will help mining, railroads, pioneers, natural history and more. the remarkable couple have been clarify the remaining programmatic “Hikers can see evidence of known for their diligence, faithful- elements needed in the new University Visitors’ pioneer settlements, moon- ness and generosity, and for nurturing Commons. shine stills, narrow-gauge rail- ways, coal mines and logging Center Hosts operations,” Kendrick said. Th e FSC teamed with Ranger Park Greer to plan hikes that Williams Named Open House focus on the region’s rich history and explore many dif- Th e public is invited to the South ferent areas of the sprawling University Treasurer Cumberland State Park Visitors’ 25,000 acre park, which spans Center from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, portions of Franklin, Marion, Grundy and Sequatchie counties. Vice-Chancellor John McCardell has announced that E. Douglass (Doug) Feb. 27, to view the exhibit spaces be- Th is year, two levels of hikes will be off ered: the Discovery Series for typi- Williams was elected as treasurer of the University of the South by the board ing renovated. Th e new open-concept, cal hikers and the Adventurer Series for those who want a more challenging, of regents at its recent meeting. brightly painted areas feature a native “off -trail” experience. Williams is the Frank W. Wilson Professor of Economics at the University plant exhibit, an upgraded log cabin to Ranger Greer is leading the Adventurer Series hikes (scheduled monthly, and was appointed interim treasurer last year. As treasurer, Williams serves as explore, interactive computer displays, beginning in April), which will include rappelling, caving and archeological chief fi nancial offi cer of the University and as an offi cer of the corporation. a display about the Hike into History exploration. A $25 fee for each hike includes lunch and off -trail equipment, with “For the past 14 months, Doug has served capably as interim treasurer, and Challenge hikes, and more. proceeds benefi tt ing the FSC. Register for any of the Adventurer Series hikes I am delighted that the board accepted my recommendation,” said McCardell. Highlights of the day include a online at <www.meetup.com/Friends-of-South-Cumberland-State-Park>. Th is “Doug’s leadership of our fi nancial offi ces during a period of both physical chance to visit with Davy Crockett website, for the FSC MeetUp group, is free and by joining will ensure that you and operational transi- (Park Manager George Shinn) and receive updates about both hike series. tion has been steady be part of “Tennessee’s 50,000 Trees” Th ere is no charge for the Discovery hikes, which will be scheduled through- and sure.” event. out 2016 and will be led by rangers and FSC volunteers. Self guided information Williams is a mem- Flo Wilson and Mary Priestley, about each hike is posted to the 2016 challenge website at <www.HikeIntoHis ber of the University’s members of the board of Friends tory.org> for those who choose to hike on their own. class of 1981 and has of South Cumberland, spearheaded (Continued on page 10) been a member of the the renovation project, which began Sewanee faculty since last spring. Wilson organized the 1999. volunteers, who painted and provided P.O. Box 296 He has served as carpentry services. Priestley led a Sewanee, TN 37375 chair of the economics group to update and redesign the ex- department and as a hibits, which had not been changed member of the board since the center opened. of the Babson Center “The visitors’ center has always for Global Commerce. been on target in presenting the Before returning to important themes of the natural and Sewanee, he taught at cultural history of this place,” Priestley Carleton College and said. “We’ve built on those themes, was city economist in tweaked a few things and put a new Milwaukee, Wis. spin on others. It’s the same place, just Doug Williams with a fresh look.” 2 • Friday, February 19, 2016 • Th e Sewanee Mountain MESSENGER Letters THE SEWANEE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER 418 St. Mary’s Ln. BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE John Shackelford, who compared quences. Since his death, he has been P.O. Box 296 To the Editor: my father to a train in a beautifully extolled by Republicans as “brilliant.” Sewanee, Tennessee 37375 To the beautiful people of Se- writt en article that has given us some- Brilliance suggests insight and depth Phone (931) 598-9949 wanee: Th ank you for your outpouring thing to chat about. of thought; it requires originality, fl exi- of support for our family during the And I could go on and on and on...... bilty, ability to learn from experience Fax (931) 598-9685 illness of my mother, Gay Alvarez. What a wonderful community and good judgment, all of which were Email [email protected] As a person who grew up in Se- of people! I am forever thankful for lacking in Scalia, making him unfi t to Contributors www.sewaneemessenger.com Phoebe Bates wanee, but has lived in cities for my Sewanee and that communities like serve on the Supreme Court. His ratio- John Shackelford adult life, I am humbled by the deliver- this still exist.