Alumni Bulletin, University of Richmond, Volume 27, Spring 1964

Page 5

THEIRLIGHTEVERSHINES Dttring Westhampton's first decade, a small band of yo11ng fac11lty members arrived to ignite the spark. Throttgh the years they stayed to keep vigil, ever nourishing the flame to make it burn with increasing brilliance. Some of them have gone to more eternal labors, some have retired to contintte scholarly purs11its. Now, at this halfcentury milestone, alumnae pause to salute them. Their light will forever shine at Westhampton and our lives will forever glow with its reflection.

May Lansfield Keller

Fanny G. Crenshaw

Susan Madelaine Lough

1914-1946

1914-1955

1915-1948

How high?"

a celestial reunion

From one basketball to one swimming poal; from 40 girls to hundreds; from baggy bloomers and black stockings to tank suits; from climbing trees to accredited majors in P.E. ! It's long-distance mileage for one career, but it's the true story of Fanny G ., AU American. She started with a part-time program suitable for young ladies, i.e., long hikes and genteel soccer on the lawn of North Court. She never hung up her whistle until she had sprinted over the victory line leaving in her wake a physical education program unrivaled in academic distinction and facilities. Nor did she confine the contest to the sports arena. Many who appeared reluctantly, left, not only with athletic skills, but also with lifetime assets of sportsmanship and self-discipline learned through association. "Jump," she said. "How high?", we asked. Encouraged, we reached, and suddenly, in disbelief, we found we could be champions!

"Chaotic and catastrophic," she would say. The classroom wails blurred and we were with the Little Corporal at Waterloo or standing by a monk at Worms. Entranced by the mysterious magic of her Scotch-Irish brogue (imported from her native Dublin) and bewitched by a conviction that our distinguished "don" had been an eyewitness to all of time, we contracted her enthusiasm to seize upon history and life with delight. As a scholar and world traveler, she was the friend of famous statesmen; as a civic worker, she was tireless; as a compassionate counselor, she wiped away homesick tears while entertaining us with waffle suppers and tea parties. And so the legend has credulity: that somewhere in celestial mists, Miss Lough is eagerly planning an alumnae reception . . . just to keep in touch.

scholarship, starch and spice . . . What is Dean Keller made of? Scholarship, starch and spice. From that first day in 1914 when the mule-drawn bus labored up the steep slope bearing young ladies to be educated, she made it quite clear that the purpose of the venture was academic excellence. Two world wars, depressions, and atom bombs did not deter the dynamic pioneer as she marched on through the decades. Applying reason mixed with vinegar, and determination fired with vision, she never faltered until her goal was achieved -Westhampton, a college dedicated to sound scholarship. Her diminutive stature disguised a Titan- ,like ability to unravel Shakespeare, decipher Anglo-Saxon, untangle administrative maze, and still have time to walk the dog. On the campus, one building bears her name; around the globe, several thousand women bear the priceless imprint of the "little Dean high on a hill."

11

[ 3}


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.