ATHENS — ATHENS —  Concord University, on the 138th anniversary of the institution’s founding, used its annual Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony Monday to honor a woman who has devoted most of her adult life to the university and a doctor who followed in the footsteps of his namesake.

In his opening remarks, Concord President Dr. Gregory Aloia said, “We gather together here on the anniversary of Concord being authorized by the West Virginia Legislature to honor those who have continued the charge given to us by our founders. We want to thank you for your role in continuing this legacy.”

The concept of legacy was followed up on by Associate Dean Dr. George Towers, who announced the Lifetime Achievement Award would go to Emeritus Professor of Mathematics Mary Edna Beckett.

“Mary Edna, since growing up on the hill which bears her family name, has dedicated her life both to Athens and to Concord. Her lifetime of service to Concord includes helping found the (Concord) Awards Banquet, along with the (late) Dr. Joseph F. Marsh Jr., which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, helping found the Cardinal Key Academic Honor, creating the Math Proficiency Test for future teachers, which must be passed with a 100 percent score for future math teachers and serving for 12 consecutive years as faculty president and 18 consecutive years as division chair for the Division of Mathematics. She served in both the latter roles with the deepest respect from her peers and with great appreciation. This honor can only hint at the respect she has earned among her peers and her students,” Towers said.

Beckett is a graduate of Athens High School and Concord College, with a bachelor of math education degree from Concord. In 1959, after teaching at Ramsey Junior High School in Bluefield and getting her master’s degree from WVU, she returned to her alma mater as an associate professor of mathematics, gaining tenure in 1964 and teaching full-time until her retirement in 2004, teaching part-time until 2008.

Professor of geography Dr. Joe Manzo, citing Concord’s growing focus on international education, which includes educating more than 100 students from 26 countries, read a proclamation declaring 2010 as the “Year of the International Initiative.”

The main part of the ceremony was the awarding of a Doctorate in Philosophy, Honorius Causa, to Jaipur, India, physician M. L. Swarankar, chairman and managing trustee of the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Jaipur. In December 2009, Dr. Swarankar initiated a pilot project with the college and hospital which allowed four Concord University students and one professor to participate in a one-week international medical shadowing experience at the facility.

Dr. Swarankar specializes in obstetrics, gynecology and microsurgery in infertility and advanced reproductive technology. A physician, scholar and humanitarian, he is known for a life of service based on the principles of Mahatma Gandhi.

“I would like to thank Concord University from the bottom of my heart for this honor. It is a matter of great honor to not just me, but to the staff of the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital,” Swarankar said.

The mission of the medical college, he added, was to put the practices espoused by the late Mohandas K. Gandhi, the “Father of India” , including serving the needs of the many through serving the needs of the few, into practice.

Swarankar then presented Aloia with a bronze bust of Gandhi.

The ceremony also included several honors to faculty, staff and students with Dr. Lauri Reidmiller of the Division of Fine Arts receiving the Faculty Teaching award; Dr. He-Boong Kwon of the Division of Business getting the Faculty Scholarship/Creativity Award, Kevin Bennington of the Division of Fine Arts getting the Faculty Service Award; Sarah Dalton of the Advancement Office getting the Staff Presidential Service Award; and Concord senior biology major Carly Stout getting the Student Service Award.

— Contact Jeff Harvey at delimartman@yahoo.com