University of Central Oklahoma - Bronze Book Yearbook (Edmond, OK)

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ABOVE—Jeanette McElvany, Secretary to the Presi- ABOVE—No doubt about it. You need a seme of humor to be president of a university, dent, hosts a surprise birthday party for her boss. ... and Times of Pleasure! their dreams in southwest Colorado—a six-acre plot in the rugged mountain area with a chalet where they can look forward to time for resting, hunting, fishing, writing, and entertaining visitors. How did he survive the searing sixties, the trying times on university campuses all over the world. . . the rebellion and unrest, the marches and protests? Pictures reveal a little difference . . . the coal black hair now frosted, the added lines that came from smiles more than frowns. Seven grandchildren have swelled their family circle .... But the years have dealt kindly 28

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casions and hosting visitors to Central State. It was rare that the Godfreys had an evening at home alone as they tried to keep up with all the invitations to parties and dinners, and other activities that go with the job. Highlighting any year was dedication of a new building, or leading the faculty procession as another crop of seniors celebrated graduation. He continued his active membership in Rotary that dates back to the chapter he helped charter in Pryor in 1944 ... his participation in the Men’s Dinner Club of Oklahoma City and the Chambers of Commerce in Edmond and Oklahoma City ... his work in Frontiers of Science on which he served as a member of the board of directors for several years . . . in the Educational Television Authority which he served for over 10 years, four of those as chairman ... in OEA where he once served as state president and NEA to which he was on the Board of Directors . . . and he has taught a men’s Sunday School class for over 40 years. His daily schedule might contain such diverse activities as breakfast meetings, administrative council sessions; meetings with architects; luncheon meetings, faculty committee meetings in the afternoons, dinner meetings, queen crownings, student dances, plays, ballgames. and other campus activities. In the President’s Dining Room in the University Center or in the Godfrey’s home on campus, they entertained Governors, Congressmen, legislators. Boards of Regents, visiting authors. North Central delegations. Alumni, businessmen, faculty and students. Vacation time for the Godfreys often included a professional meeting with a few days left over for getting-away-from-it all or a short trip to visit their married children and to spoil the grandchildren. On a long weekend, they would hide away on their farm in far northeast Oklahoma, camping out and Fishing. In later years, they grew to love Colorado for its Fishing and mountain scenery and they began to seek a spot for a retirement home. Two years ago they found the place of BKl.OW—A sculpture of the CSC Broncho is unveiled by the President in the new Max Chambers library. BKl.OW—Dr. .Joe -Jackson presents Dr. Godfrey with a Christmas card from the entire faculty, with sketches of places where the Godfrey's have lived and worked. BELOW—During his fifteen years at Central. Dr. Godfrey led over 30 commencement processions for Central State graduates.

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ABOVE—The Godfrey’s have a ball at a school dance affair. ABOVE—Escorting Bronze Book queens was formal duty—but also a pleasure. with President Godfrey who has proved he does, in fact, thrive on challenge and change. He reacted just as enthusiastically to a new idea for academic plans in 1975 as he did in 1960. He has just as much patience and understanding for a frustrated student or an irate faculty member. His office door is still open from eight to five each day, with time to see those who need his counsel or help. He still stands tall and proud, seems to have limitless strength to maintain the rapid pace required of the leader of a dynamic institution. Just as he was at the beginning of his tenure at Central State. Garland Godfrey is an humble individual who has never forgotten his beginnings on a farm in Arkansas, who knows what it means to work your way through school, to dream dreams of the future, then work hard to make those dreams come true. He still believes that education does change lives, that knowledge can make a difference, can lead to a better world. And above all, he was and is a man of wisdom . . . one knows how to take the education and the knowledge and use it wisely for the good of his fellow-man. All the changes he has witnessed, the changes he has brought about in the school systems where he served, the civic life, the communities and state, those qualities of humbleness, kindness and wisdom will forever remain a heritage for Central. 29