About the Sheridan Simon Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series
When it became evident that Sheridan Simon was gravely ill and might not live through the 1993-94 academic year, several of his friends began to think about how they might honor Sheridan for his extraordinary contributions to Guilford.
Aware that there would he many tributes to Sheridan after his death, they were concerned to celebrate him while he was still alive. After considering several
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| Michael Sieverts delivers the 2004 Sheridan Simon Distingushed Alumni Lecture. |
possibilities, they decided to approach Sheridan directly. During a brief meeting in Sheridan's office (with students characteristically lined up outside the door), it was proposed to Sheridan that the College create an annual lectureship by a distinguished physicist. Touched by the proposal, Sheridan thought for a moment, and then countered with his own proposal.
He liked the idea of a lectureship, hut he didn't think the lecturers should be distinguished physicists. heir supreme passion would he research, and though he too loved research, his deepest passion was teaching. What he would really love, he explained, would he to bring distinguished alumni to campus each year to reflect on the significance and impact of their Guilford education. He felt this would he uplifting for both students and faculty, and would create a bond between Guilford's generations. During the conversation, he spoke of education as faith in the future, which became the title of the series.
Jonathan Malino, Rex Adelberger and Elwood Parker quickly organized the series, and set an early date for the first lecture, which Sheridan was able to attend. A fund has been established at Guilford College to ensure the continuation of the Sheridan A Simon Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series in honor and memory of this extraordinary human being.