People

August 26, 2011

Welcome to Fall Semester

175 History Makers are anniversary highlight


The latest milestone in the University's 175th anniversary year is the recently released list of luminaries who made history at Emory and beyond and are reflective of the University's diversity.

Each one of the Emory History Makers speaks volumes about the University's legacy of ethically-engaged scholarship, courageous inquiry and interdisciplinary innovation. 

The "175 Emory History Makers" also serves as a point of pride for the nine committee members who sorted through more than 1,000 potential nominees.

"We wanted Emory's history to be seen as not just about the past, but about the future," says Martha Fagan, chair of the 175th Emory History Makers Committee and senior director of the Emory Alumni Association.

To that end, Fagan's team assembled a list of individuals who made history at Emory and beyond and are reflective of the University's diversity, from Verdelle Bellamy '63N, the first African American graduate of Emory, to fashion designer Kenneth Cole '76C. Most honorees are Emory alumni.

Some History Makers made their mark through generous financial contributions, such as philanthropist Charles Howard Candler Sr. 1898C, '42H, former Emory Board chairman and Coca-Cola Company founder. Others, like Volunteer Emory founders Debbie Genzer '82C and Wendy Rosenberg Nadel '82C, exemplified giving back with human capital. See a complete list of History Makers. A moveable, seven-foot-tall campus exhibit highlighting their accomplishments is planned for this fall.

The committee started by collecting names of former Emory Medal recipients, along with people who have received honorary degrees and individual school awards. They solicited recommendations from the community. They also turned to comprehensive books on the University's history, written by Gary Hauk'91PhD, vice president and deputy to the president.

Scanning the final list, "you do get a sense of the call to service at Emory," says Hauk. "Together, we are making the world a better place."

The History Makers and their descendants will be honored during a special anniversary convocation on Dec. 7, held at Glenn Memorial Auditorium. Preliminary plans include a torch relay from Oxford to Atlanta, a processional in full regalia, an address by President Jim Wagner and music by the Atlanta Pipe Band and University Organist Timothy Albrecht.

Other 175th anniversary highlights this fall include:

• Emory anniversary banners displayed around town, including along Freedom Parkway and in Decatur. To further raise awareness, Emory is among the sponsors of the Decatur Book Festival over Labor Day weekend. Already, the Georgia General Assembly has passed a resolution recognizing Emory's anniversary and longstanding partnership with the state.

• An anniversary lunch for the entire Emory community will be held in October in coordination with Wonderful Wednesdays.

• A special, expanded anniversary edition of Emory Magazine will look at "175 Things You Should Know About Emory."

• "Emory History Minutes," a weekly video series produced by Emory Report, tours campus historical sites.

For more information about Emory's 175thanniversary, visit www.emory.edu/home/about/anniversary.

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