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Library Dedication Ceremony
The dedication ceremony for the expanded and renovated James B. Duke Library was held on Thursday, October 28 at 2:00 pm in the Blackwell Atrium. Several hundred guests attended.

The featured speaker was Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation and former president of the New York Public Library and of Brown University. Dr. Gregorian is an Iranian immigrant with an extraordinary personal story. He is a noted historian, scholar, and leader in both libraries and higher education. Dr. Gregorian spoke on the role of libraries in education, access to and preservation of knowledge, and the lives of individuals.

Other speakers included President David Shi, Mary Peace Sterling, Trustee Emerita, and daughter of Charlie Peace for whom the expansion is named, Dr. Barbara Mathews, daughter of Dr. Chesley Mathews a Furman alumnus for whom the collections located on the ground level are named, Russel M. Robinson II, chairman of the board of The Duke Endowment, and Dr. Janis Bandelin, Director of Libraries.

Additional information about the event is available from the Greenville News Online.
Photos from Dedication Ceremony and Reception
(click on image to enlarge - allow cursor to hover over each image for a description)
Library staff and student assistants greet the guests as they come in
Each guest received a commemorative 48-page dedication booklet
A brass quintet was on hand to provide music for the occasion
Basic library services and facilities remained available throughout the duration of the ceremony
A bust of Charlie Peace has been placed at the top of the central staircase that separates the new Peace Wing from the renovated original building
The spacious Blackwell Atrium was the venue for the dedication ceremony
Seating was provided on both levels of the atrium
With the seats all filled, a number of students sat on the floor
A platform was erected on one side of the lower level of the atrium for the guest speakers
Furman University President David Shi welcomed all of the guests to the dedication ceremony
Dr. Shi also provided introductions for several of the guest speakers
Dr. Barbara Mathews spoke about her father, Dr. Chesley Mathews, for whom the ground level collections are named
Russell M. Robinson II, chairman of the board of The Duke Endowment, spoke about the organization's commitment to Furman University and to its libraries
Mary Peace Sterling, Trustee Emerita, spoke about her father, Charlie Peace, for whom the expansion is named
Dr. Janis Bandelin, Director of Libraries, expressed her gratitude towards everyone involved in the building project
Dr. Bandelin also introduced the featured speaker, Dr. Vartan Gregorian
Dr. Vartan Gregorian was the featured speaker at the dedication ceremony
Dr. Gregorian spoke about the importance of libraries and the evolution of their role in our society
An outdoor reception was held in front of the Library immediately following the ceremony
Jennifer Wilkins (who also works as a student assistant in Document Delivery) serves food to the guests
Julie Carter hands Dr. Gregorian a 'Year of the Library' T-shirt
Former Dean and V.P. of Academic Affairs A.V. Huff and his wife Kate talk to Mary Peace Sterling and her daughter Peace Sullivan and granddaughter Frannie Sullivan
David and Susan Shi talk to Barbara Mathews and her husband Michael Ziroli
Richard and Tunky Riley speak with another guest at the reception
Mary Simms Oliphant Furman (right) speaks with Tom Bandelin and Doris Fitzpatrick, father and mother-in-law of Janis Bandelin
Dr. Norman Whisnant (Professor of German) and Dr. Linda Bartlett (Associate Academic Dean and Associate Professor of Spanish) pose for a picture
From left to right: Bryant Nixon and George Sweet (from Triangle Construction) and architect Scott May (from Neal-Prince & Partners) enjoy the refreshments provided at the reception
Some photographs provided by
Charlie Register, Director of Photography, Furman University
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