Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2023
Nothing lasts forever, but some things can last a lifetime—or more.
The enduring legacy of a name, a memory, a relationship, friendships, a beloved pet—these things can be immortalized in different ways, and one way some alumni have chosen to honor them is through commemorative benches on campus.
It started with Derek ’77, M’97 and Carol Bowen ’78, alumni who met when she was a freshman member of Kappa Delta sorority and he was a sophomore member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, now married for almost 44 years.
Wanting to commemorate their time on the Hill, in early 2021 Carol Bowen reached out to the Development Office at LC about placing a bench on a spot at the edge of campus that held special significance to them.
“That place is where we would meet,” Derek Bowen said of the location where their bench sits. “It overlooked Pi Kap house at that time on Broad Street, and we’d sit there and study and talk. It was one of the main places to get away.”
Due to supply chain issues during the pandemic, it took nearly a year for the bench to arrive. However, the couple were thrilled with the result and installed a plaque commemorating their late dog, Beamer, and in dedication to their close friends the Acrees, Boatwrights, Cranes, Grovensteins, Longs and Stewarts.
“Beamer was our dog for 15 years, and we don’t have any children, so she wanted to make sure we commemorated him in some way,” Derek Bowen said. “The friends are our supper club. They’ve been friends for quite a long time. In fact, some went to LaGrange College as well. So, we wanted to recognize them.”
For Connie Hill ’77, the bench she funded on Caswell Plaza, in front of Frank and Laura Lewis Library, is also a way to commemorate the times she and her late husband, Luke “Bubba” Hill ’74, would gather between classes with fellow students.
“We all socialized outside; we had these breaks and people were always hanging out on that patio where the plaza is now located, she said. “It was a real communal place for all those students to meet, and I remember I’d sit on this low brick wall around the patio. So, I thought the bench would be conducive to fond memories of hanging out on there.”
The bench also serves as a memorial to Luke Hill, an LC Athletic Hall of Fame member for his time on the basketball team from 1970 to 1974, including the GIAC championship-winning lineup in 1973. During their time at LaGrange, the couple met and fell in love with each other and the area, ultimately returning to the city after graduating and getting married. After he passed away in early 2021, she wanted to find a way to memorialize and honor him.
“I really liked that idea for something commemorative for him, because we love the college, for sure,” she said. “It's a little memorial to our time on the Hill, our good times. And with the plaque (on the bench), it’s a place where my children can go—and my grandchildren and great-grandchildren—and think, ‘This is where my parents hung out in college.’”
The most recent bench debuted publicly on a frigid March morning as a group gathered on Caswell Plaza. Despite the chilly temperatures, the mood was warm as old classmates mingled. Current students also joined to watch and converse as the Class of 1972 unveiled their memorial bench, a symbol of their longstanding ties as peers and friends.
“We bonded at the dorms, sororities and fraternities, trips to Callaway—it was a lot of fun,” Debbie Mowery, co-chair for the Class of 1972 committee told the group of students gathered. “So, when you sit on our bench, with a friend or friends, hopefully, like so many of us, that person or persons will still be your friends 50 years later.”
“That’s us,” she said pointing to herself and fellow co-chair Mary Conway. “Fifty years of friendship. You’re blessed to be here.”
Conway said the idea to install a bench came about when the group was discussing ways to commemorate their time at LaGrange in a meaningful way in celebration of their 50th graduation anniversary.
“When the bench was mentioned, we found that to be the right project to give back,” she said. “It was amazing how quickly people stepped up and donated. We raised the money for this bench in less than three weeks. We hope other classes will step up and take on a project like this.”
For those who have chosen to invest in a commemorative bench, the opportunity allowed them to show the significance of those closest to them. The steel benches also serve to replace worn-out wooden ones on campus, giving students better and longer-lasting locations to rest, visit, study or just enjoy the view—sharing experiences with their predecessors from years past.
If you would like to sponsor a bench at LaGrange College, you can go to l0jb.kongtiao11.com/bench and contact the LaGrange College Development Department at 706-880-8244 for more information.
Check LC Connect for Virtual CE events and instructions
Tuesday, April 11
Professional Police Reform with National Expert
11:55 a.m., Corn Auditorium
Thursday, April 13
"You Would Make Little Nazis of Them:” Lillian Smith, Jim Crow and Nazi Germany
11:15 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
3D Journeys April lecture Rescheduled - Dr. Nina Dulin-Mallory
On Monday, April 10 at 2 p.m. in the Beason Recital Hall at West Side, Dr. Nina Dulin-Mallory will give the closing lecture in our study of the Tuscany region of Central Italy: "The Poets of Tuscany." The event begins at 2 p.m., doors open at 1:30.
Men’s Lacrosse
LaGrange’s winning streak was snapped after a 15-10 loss at Greensboro on Saturday, April 1. Freshman Luke Young delivered a career-high seven goals along with three groundballs while junior Michael Poteete and sophomores Ryan Comeau and Andrew Brown each had solo scores. Senior goalkeeper Isaac Bohrer made 22 saves against 15 goals allowed.
Freshman Luke Young earned his fourth Rookie of the Week. On the year, he has come away with 32 goals and 11 assists for 43 points.
Softball
The Panthers split a doubleheader against Belhaven, picking up a 1-0 victory in the opener and falling 13-4 in the nightcap on Saturday, April 1. In the first game, freshman pitcher Claire Chamberlain’s performance in the circle resulted in no runs, three strikeouts and just four hits to pick up the win. In the second game, freshman Kelsea Moody went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI while junior Lindsey Swearngin was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.
Freshman Claire Chamberlain swept the Collegiate Conference of the South’s Pitcher and Rookie of the Week awards for the second time to drive her total to five such honors on the year. This season, she is 6-5 with a 2.84 ERA with 53 strikeouts and just eight walks in 74 innings of work.
Baseball
LaGrange dropped a 7-4 decision to Berry on Tuesday, April 4. Junior Adam Dorn led with a 2-for-4 day while senior Joe Ruth laced a triple. Making his second straight start against Berry, freshman pitcher Eduardo Peralta went 5.1 innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out four while freshman pitcher Eli Folds tossed two thirds of an inning, allowing three runs.
Thursday, April 6 – LaGrange vs. Belhaven, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. (late), visit lagrangepanthers.com for score and recap.
Men’s Tennis
The Panthers pulled out a 6-3 victory at Berea on Saturday, April 1. Seniors Al Robertson and Luke Griffin gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead with a marathon 9-7 victory over the Mountaineers. Berea earned a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 2 to keep hope alive – only to see it dashed by Griffin, who notched a 6-3, 6-2 victory for LC at No. 3 to put the match away.
Senior Al Robertson earned his second Player of the Week. He has won his last four singles matches dating to March 18 at Huntingdon and three straight doubles matches since March 23 against Mississippi University for Women.
Women’s Tennis
LaGrange took a 5-4 loss at Berea on Saturday, April 1. Seniors Hannah Miller and Kirsten Boyd earned a commanding 8-2 victory at No. 1 doubles. Boyd would then add a 6-0, 6-1 decision over BC at the No. 3 spot. Junior Journey Oden delivered a 6-1, 6-1 victory over BC at No. 2. Miller posted a 6-2, 6-1 win over BC at the top spot.
Senior Hannah Miller was named the Collegiate Conference of the South Women’s Tennis Player of the Week. This past week, Miller was dominant as she went a perfect 2-0.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, April 7 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Piedmont, 1 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Friday, April 7 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Piedmont, 1 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Friday, April 7 – Baseball (Home) vs. Belhaven, 11 a.m., Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium
Saturday, April 8 – Softball at Berea, noon and 2 p.m., Berea, Kentucky
Saturday, April 8 – Men’s Lacrosse (Home) vs. Methodist, 1 p.m., Callaway Stadium
Monday, April 10 – Golf at The Shoals Intercollegiate (Rounds 1 & 2), Florence, Alabama
Tuesday, April 11 – Golf at The Shoals Intercollegiate, Florence, Alabama
Tuesday, April 11 – Softball (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., LC Softball Complex
Tuesday, April 11 – Baseball (Home) vs. Oglethorpe, 7 p.m., Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium
Category: Community, Philanthropy
Keywords: Legacy, Education, Tradition
