Lees McRae College - Ontaroga Yearbook (Banner Elk, NC)

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anford: More to Education Than Can Be Learned From Terry Sanford, former Governor of North Carolina and President of Duke University, told the crowd gathered at Lees-McRae College that there is more to education than what students may learn from textbooks. Sanford delivered the pre-inaugural address at Hayes Audi- torium at the college as part of celebrations for the installation of Dr. Bradford Crain as the new President of Lees-McRae. A former presidential candidate, Sanford stated when asked about the up- coming Senate race, I prefer not to say anything about my future political aspirations as I don't want to confuse something like that with this sort of great event. In Sanfordis opening remarks he stated, I am especially pleased to have an opportunity to be here with Bradford Crain whom I,ve observed and learned about and I believe that his intellect and integ- rity, his energy certainly have im- proved society wherever he was. I am sure that he will carry on here at Lees-McRae in the same way, contributing so much by his pre- ence and his drive and by his energy in carrying on the enduring pur- poses ofthe college. Looking back on the origin of Lees-McRae it certainly is a story of vision, a story of faith, deter- mination, a remarkable achieve- ment, and certainly it is an inspira- tion to any church-related private institution to see what Lees-McRae has done from the audacious be- ginning that Edgar Tufts brought to this institution. . . . and certainly for eighty- five years this rich heritage has been rewarded in so many ways by the faith and effort that gave it birth in the first instance. Iam sure now that with the guidance of President Crain we can be assured that Lees-McRae will continue to be a treasured part of the factor of private higher education in North Carolina. And that its influence, I know, will be felt far beyond the borders of North Carolina. In a day when there are those who question the value of higher education, often measuring it as they measure too many elements of our society, chiefly in economic terms by income earned on time and tuition invested, colleges such as Lees-McRae have continued to reach out to young people, to spark their ambitions and to en- courage their students to raise their sights, to strive for excellence, and to dedicate themselves to the highest personal and professional goals. Isuspect it is a good financial investment but I know it is an in- valuable human investment. Lees- McRae is dedicated to the concept 6 - Inauguration of a liberal education. That means an enhancement of the mind and spirit, not just the stuffing in of information. Sanford said that a college should prepare its students to make changes in the world and students should be asked what they plan to do to solve some current problems, such as malnutrition and poverty, and what the U. S. could do to eliminate the world's feeling of despair. Answers to these and other similar questions are part of education, the former governor said. It is the student's vision that your college has been and is concerned with. It is the life of students, properly guided by vision, bringing fulfillment to living that is Lees-McRae's purpose. Lives make a difference when when they are lived to a standard and the standard is also the measure of a liberal education. The en- hancement of the mind and spirit I am suggesting, without attempting fully to define liberal educa- tion, is not much if it does not include the history and the philosophy and the ambition to make its graduates, lives useful to others, not just to themselves. X i

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is with a feeling of very deep pleasure and pride that I welcome you to the ceremony for the tenth president of Lees- McRae College. We are pleased and delighted to have each of you present this morning. This is an historical day in the life of the college and in the life of Dr. and Mrs. Crain. What events led up to this special day? In the early part of 1984 the ninth president of Lees-McRae College, Dr. H. C. Evans, Jr., passed away after serving this college well for over seventeen years. In May of '84 the Board of Trustees appointed the Presidential Search Committee of twelve members. Many meetings were held from May to December of that year with all members present. Two hundred and ten applications from 35 states and one foreign country fEnglandj were received. All resumes were reviewed and carefully studied byeach committee member. Ten finalists were selected for personal interviews and all were very impressive. The committee selected the number one candidate of the ten finalists and then recommended that the Board of Trustees have a special called meeting in December to hear the report. Dr. and Mrs. Crain were present at that Board meeting. The Board approved the committee's selection and Dr. Crain reported for duty 011 February 1, 1985, running hard and still running hard. It was a highlight of my life and a real joy to serve as chairman with such a Christian, dedicated and hard-working committee who gave so many hours to bring a new president to Lees-McRae College. I feel so proud of and close to these people Iwould like to introduce them to you. From the' Trustees: Jack Faw, Erwin Fuller, Roma Melton and Bruce Hathaway, from the Faculty: Dr. John Wilson and Lewis Hall fVice Chairman of the committeejg from the Staff: Joanne Franklin CSecretary of the committeejg from the Administration: Don Baker fTreasurer of the committeejg from the Community: Charles VonCanong from the Alumni: Sam Vickeryg from the Student Government: Beth Davis: and Jick Garland, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. 'Today is the official beginning of some- thing that is well underway, a new direction for the college built on a firm and fine foundation laid by others. Dr. Crain and his organization are looking ahead with exciting plans, always searching for the quality of excellence toward a future which can only benefit, reward, and reinforce the educational life of the students of Lees-McRae College, 'The College That Caresf Today, Friday, September 20, 1985, will be a great day for each of us,a day to remember, a day of history-making. f John R. Uackj King, Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees Photo identification, top row fl-rj: Dr. Bradford L. Crain: Board Chairman James Jick Garland swears in new presiden tg Jack King Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, presiding over the inaugural ceremoniesg The procession lines up behind bagpiper Harvey Ritch as Lewis Hall carries the official mace. Bottom row fl-rj: Dr. John Stephenson, Jick Garland addressing the inaugural audienceg Tom MacQueen offers his rendition of These Are My Mountains, Angus Shaw, representing the Edgar Tufts Memorial Association, Mayor David Tate, SGA President Kirk Hitt: Dr. George Borders, Dr. Bryan Gillespie, Tom MacQueen, and The Rev. De Witt Farabee, Jr . f7v- .. Q, 'u E 3. ' x Inauguration - 5

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Textbooks I The inauguration of President Crain is a notable and historic time in the life of Lees-McRae and in Sanford said he was asked during activities that preceded the address what advice he would give the new president. I had been walking around the campus with Dr. Crain and I could see him stopping and talking to the students. He doesnit need any advice from me. He knows what this is all about, he said. education and religious influence. s Fl f-I s LMC Board Chairman Jick Garland, Dr. Sanford, Dr. Crain, and Hugh Morton. Morton introduced Dr. Sanford and also played an integral part in the inauguration festivities with the premier showing of his film, Richard Evans Younger, Wildlife Artist - The Black Bear. The first showing of the motion picture was during A Celebration of Appalachia. Sanford: Inauguration 6'Historic Mrs. Roma Melton delivered greetings from the alumni and Advisorsg Dr. John D. MacLeod, Jr. represented the Synod of North Carolinag James Stonesifer and Lewis Hall, marshals. Lees-McRae College is on a firm course. the life of this entire region and its whole sphere of -Terry Sanford X 45 .X s i t if I 1 v ' fi I f-Zgi X 5 - . 'sf fab- , Inauguration - 7