News Release

Contact: Jeri Kornegay
Director of Media and Public Relations
260-982-5285  jskornegay@manchester.edu

Manchester leader to receive honorary

degree from Martin University

NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. (Dec. 29, 2003) - Manchester College President Parker G. Marden will receive an Doctor of Laws honorary degree from Martin University in recognition of his leadership among Indiana's independent colleges and his friendship.

"He is a very special person," said Rev. Fr. Boniface Hardin, O.S.B., founder and president of the 620-student Martin University. "He has led the Independent Colleges of Indiana well and has been a great leader. Among the presidents in Indiana, he is gentle and modest, and always fair." The degree is intended "to help to let others know about him," Rev. Hardin said.

Rev. Hardin founded Martin University in 1977 to serve low-income, minority and adult learners. The average age of its students is about 40, although the school is enrolling a growing number of much younger students.

Marden, who holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Brown University, will receive the honorary degree on Sunday, Jan. 18 in a ceremony that also will honor three other good friends of Martin University:

• Trustee Emeritus Jim Shaw, retired president of the Indiana Small Business Development Corp. and current lay leader for Southern Indiana Conference, United Methodist Church. (Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree)
• Warren Lewis, theologian, philosopher and former Martin dean of research and grants. (Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree)
• Marvin Scott, professor of sociology at Butler University, former higher education program director for Lilly Endowment Inc. and current candidate for U.S. Senate. (Doctor of Laws honorary degree)

Marden has served 10 years as president of the 1,170-student Manchester College in northeast Indiana. He is president of the 31-member Independent Colleges of Indiana, which offered its solidarity of support and $10,500 to Martin University during difficult economic times of 2003. Rev. Hardin also helped Manchester College dedicate its new campus Intercultural Center in 2002.

"I value my friendship with Rev. Hardin and the strength and determination of his mission as reflected in Martin University," said Marden, who expressed appreciation and humility in accepting the invitation to the ceremony.  "I am mindful that 2004 is the 50^th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education; and thank God, our world has never been the same since."