Dear friends,

I am saddened to report the passing of Cyril Harvey, Jefferson-Pilot Professor of Geology emeritus and former Academic Dean, on Saturday, June 28, at Friends Homes Guilford after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Cyril was one of our most beloved retired faculty members and an active member of the Guilford College community for almost 60 years. The family plans a memorial service at a later date.

Cyril joined the faculty from a position at Chevron Corporation in 1966 and founded the Geology Department. He created a groundbreaking teaching method, “The Quaker Quadrangle,” that emphasized discovery-based learning, teamwork, critical thinking and student-led research. These practices are still in use today and are a hallmark of the Guilford experience for many students.

Cyril and his wife, Judith Weller Harvey (Judy), the founding director of Friends Center, were both educated at Quaker schools with a keen appreciation for Friends' emphasis on innovative education and the values of equality, diversity and community. They were both involved with the founding of New Garden Friends School in the 1970s.

Before retiring in 1999, Cyril taught at the College for 33 years and served as Academic Dean on two occasions. He recruited many outstanding faculty to Guilford, not only in Geology and the other sciences but across the academic program. In addition to teaching, he was Director of Institutional Research for nearly 20 years.

Cyril earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Chicago. He then transferred to the University of Nebraska where he earned a bachelor's, master's and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Geology. He spent 10 years working with Chevron.

With a great passion for experiencing the cultures of foreign countries, Cyril and Judy took their first overseas trip on their 25th wedding anniversary with an eight-month sojourn at a Quaker study center in Birmingham, England. After that, they traveled to more than 50 foreign countries and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2012 with trips to Turkey and Iceland.

More than 25 years after retiring from Guilford, Cyril remained for countless alumni and colleagues a treasured teacher, mentor and friend, and we will undoubtedly cherish his memory forever. Please hold Judy, their children David and Cynthia, other family family members and F/friends in the Light during this time.

With shared respect and sadness,

Jean Parvin Bordewich
Acting President