Grove City College will honor the life, faith and work of past president Dr. Charles S. MacKenzie at a service of worship in his memory at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2017 in Harbison Chapel on campus.
President MacKenzie, who died Jan. 26 at the age of 92, was the fifth president of the College as well as an accomplished theologian, pastor, scholar and writer. Serving as president from 1971 to 1991, he led two decades of substantial growth and fundamental transformation at Grove City College.
During President MacKenzie’s tenure, significant milestones and landmark achievements were recognized, including the College’s historic Supreme Court case Grove City College v. T.H. Bell, which ultimately provided for the independence from federal oversight that the College enjoys today.
Recruited to serve the College by longtime benefactor and chairman of the board of trustees J. Howard Pew, President Mackenzie returned Grove City College to its Christian roots and restored a healthy balance to student social life after the upheavals of the 1960s.
Under his leadership Grove City College rose to become one of the nation’s premier Christian liberal arts and sciences colleges. He transformed the academic experience at the College by establishing the signature core humanities curriculum that focuses on the great ideas and events of Western civilization and fosters a Christian worldview. He worked tirelessly to create an on-campus residential lifestyle dedicated to faith and learning.
He was instrumental in increasing enrollment and growing the ranks of high quality faculty while directing some $38 million worth of campus improvements, including construction of Pew Fine Arts Center, Weir C. Ketler Technological Learning Center, Mary Ethel Pew Residence Hall and Phillips Field House. The College remained debt-free during this period of dynamic growth and significant investment.
As part of the memorial services, Grove City College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 will offer a meditation, past College President Richard P. Jewell ’67 will share remembrances and Dr. Richard A. Morledge, retired Dean of Chapel and Trustee Emeritus, will deliver final words.
The service is open to the public. It will be available to watch online at www.gcc.edu/livestream.