Generosity Develops in the Face of Misfortune

Often in times of sorrow, something positive can begin and grow. In 2007-08, Earlham College experienced great loss in its faculty ranks when two widely respected and greatly loved professors passed away unexpectedly. But out of this loss, the Earlham community came together to exhibit generosity in remembrance of those two faculty members.

Bob Southard had taught at Earlham since 1971, instructing students in history and Jewish studies, and many other subjects. He served as convener of the Jewish Studies Program, director of the Humanities Program and convener of the History Department. From 2001 to 2006 he was associate academic dean.

Peter Cline planned to retire in May 2008 following a 32-year career as an Earlham history professor. Like Bob, Peter had served as director of the Humanities Program during his tenure, and from 1988-90, was associate academic dean.

“As a history major with an interest in European history, I had the pleasure and privilege of studying with both Bob Southard and Peter Cline,” said Jim McKey, vice president for institutional advancement. “When I later became a high school history teacher, I looked to them as models for my teaching. They were demanding and held us to high standards for our writing and our class participation, while at the same time being interested in our lives and development.

“When I returned to Earlham to lead our advancement efforts, it was a great pleasure to work with Bob and Peter as colleagues,” he continued. “They were among the leaders of the faculty and continued to be favorite professors to many.”

Tom Hamm had been a colleague of Bob and Peter in the History Department since 1987.  For him, it was poignant their deaths were within five months of each other, since they had worked together so long and were such close friends. 

“It’s quite possible Peter’s last public appearance on campus had been as a speaker at Bob’s memorial service,” Tom said. “They both had minds of extraordinary power, with wide-ranging interests and those interests just kept expanding.”

When Bob passed away in November 2007 and Peter followed so soon after, in March 2008, the campus experienced a sense of grief and loss. Because they had been so dedicated to the College, the community wanted to memorialize these two influential Earlhamites.

An outpouring of generosity followed, resulting in the creation of two endowed funds in honor of Bob Southard and Peter Cline. Hundreds of contributions came from all areas of Earlham: family, faculty, friends, alumni and students.

In fact, the graduating class chose Student/Faculty Collaborative Research in Memory of Bob Southard as the beneficiary for their annual Senior Gift fundraising initiative.

“The Board of Trustees named the Robert F. Southard Fund for Jewish Studies to honor Bob’s many contributions to Earlham. This endowed fund will provide income to support Jewish Studies, the focus of Bob’s research and the passion in teaching he developed while at Earlham,” McKey said.

“The Peter Knox Cline Memorial Scholarship recognizes Peter’s commitment to generations of Earlham students with a permanent fund.”

Written tributes to both men have been posted at the Earlham Web site, attesting to the impact they had on hundreds of graduates. The tributes can be read, and new ones added, at In Memoriam.