Manchester to honor Bob and Dee Keller
NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – Manchester University is proud to recognize alumnus Bob Keller and his wife Dee for their outstanding accomplishments at the Alumni Honor Award Banquet at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
Bob and Dee Keller have often contributed to the University as a team. Bob, a 1952 graduate of Manchester, excelled as the dean of academic affairs from 1978-1987, during which he created the social work major, and Dee the gerontology minor.
While serving as professors of sociology and social work, the two were outstanding teachers and advocates for multicultural diversity, social and economic justice, and peacemaking.
In 1997, both retired from full-time teaching at Manchester and proceeded to lead BCA Study Abroad (then Brethren Colleges Abroad) programs to China, Japan and India.
Together, the Kellers broadened and strengthened the cultural and spiritual life of the Manchester community. They live in Brattleboro, Vt.
The University will award Bob Keller with the 2015 Alumni Honor Award and Dee Keller will receive a Distinguished Honor Award.
The Alumni Honor Award is the highest recognition the Alumni Association can bestow upon a graduate of Manchester University. The Distinguished Honor Award is bestowed upon those who are not alumni, but have made a similar impact on the University.
Janis Clark Johnston '69 is also being recognized with the Alumni Honor Award.
The banquet will take place in the Jo Young Switzer Center on the North Manchester campus. Tickets are $16 for adult, $8 for ages 6-12 and free to children age 5 and younger. Contact the Alumni Relations Office to purchase tickets for the banquet or go to the Alumni Relations page and click on the Events tab.
They are among those presenting Encore Lectures – another Homecoming and Family Weekend tradition – from 1:10 to 2:10 p.m. Oct. 24. The Kellers are scheduled to speak from in Room 238 in the Academic Center (ACEN). The topic is “Interfaith Dialogue and Acton: Embracing Diversity in a Complex World.”
The other lecturers are:
- Robert Pettit, ACEN 364, “Racism, Sexism, and American Christians”
- David Waas, ACEN 101 (Link Auditorium), “Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton in Banana
- Richard Harshbarger, Room 101 in the Science Center (SCIC), “Oil and OPEC”
- Ed Miller, SCIC 202, “Nepal and the Himalayas”
- Jerry Sweeten, SCIC 204, “Environmental Science/Biology Program Projects Overview”
- Jim Adams, Wine Recital Hall, “Drawing Interest”
Prepared by Lauren Hughes, MU communications assistant.
Oct. 19, 2015