Westminster College community reflects on, honors Forsythes

First of three farewell celebrations held for Barney and Jane Forsythe

Westminster College outgoing president Barney Forsythe hugs Bob Seelinger, classics professor, after Seelinger's speech on Forsythe's tenure at the college. Forsythe will retire at the end of the academic year after 10 years working at Westminster and acting as its president since 2008.
Westminster College outgoing president Barney Forsythe hugs Bob Seelinger, classics professor, after Seelinger's speech on Forsythe's tenure at the college. Forsythe will retire at the end of the academic year after 10 years working at Westminster and acting as its president since 2008.

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AP

Joseph Philibert holds a sign to offers day trips to passengers from the Celebrity Cruises ship Solstice in Labadee, Haiti, Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Cruise ships continue to stop at the Labadee resort after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Jan. 12.

Overwhelmed. That's how Jane Forsythe described her feelings after hearing members of the Westminster College's community reflect on her and her husband's decade with them.

Westminster held the first of three farewell celebrations for the Forsythes on Friday. Barney Forsythe is retiring from his position as the college's president at the end of this school year. At Friday's farewell, he expressed gratitude for having gotten to work with students at a college level and to see what students move on to do after graduating.

"There is no greater gift in the world than to be able to walk with young people while they're making this journey and this transition. To our students and to their parents who trusted us, thank you for that gift. That's more than anyone could hope for, to have that stewardship and that responsibility," Barney Forsythe said. "And a special thank you to Jane. We did this together, for better or for worse, we did this together."

Jane Forsythe, he added, was always there and often reminded him, "There could be good days and bad days, but all days count."

This first farewell was for the college community. There will be a second one for the Fulton community and a third for school's trustees. Members of the college's community reflected and thanked the Forsythes for their contributions over the years.

Carolyn Perry, senior vice president of the college and dean of faculty, opened the farewell. English professor Wayne Zade read a poem he had written, while Bob Seelinger, professor of classics, spoke on behalf of faculty.

"During this time, he has been our mentor, teacher, close friend and colleague who both greatly provides fundamental and critical guidance in working collaboratively with us in the completion of a project or task," Seelinger said.

Forsythe became the college's 20th president in February 2008 after serving as acting president for the four months prior. He first came to Westminster in 2005 to serve as the college's senior vice president and dean of faculty after he had retired from the U.S. Army.

Seelinger further said Forsythe has demonstrated a great understanding of higher education's history and future challenges.

He added Forsythe always found formal and informal ways to encourage faculty development and growth. That sentiment was echoed by Molly Dwyer, Student Government Association (SGA) president.

"The next president has really big shoes to fill, being a cheerleader," Dwyer said.

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AP

A U.S. Marines soldier stands in front of a helicopter containing food and water in Leogane, Haiti, Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. A powerful earthquake hit Haiti on Jan. 12.

She described Barney Forsythe as students' biggest cheerleader. During her weekly meetings with him in her role as SGA president, Dwyer said his first and main concern was always how students on campus were doing and feeling.

Gina Campagna, director of advancement services and a Westminster alumna, described Barney and Jane Forsythe as "Westminster treasures." She said their impact on Westminster is immeasurable.

"There are simply no words to capture what Barney and Jane have taught us and modeled for us through their actions and through their years of distinguished service to Westminster College," Campagna said. "It's people who inspire people to grow and to lead."

She announced that the college established the Forsythe Day of Service to better the community.

"I'll come back and work that day of service with you. I'd love that," Barney Forsythe said, expressing his appreciation.

Seelinger spoke of the Forsythes' hospitality, always opening their home to the college community and expressing concern for others.

"They have welcomed us all as friends," Seelinger said. "We know that both Barney and Jane will be true Blue Jays forever and will have the same positive effect on all of the communities they join."

While they have traveled all over the world, Jane Forsythe said the couple appreciated and enjoyed their time in the Fulton and Westminster community.

"In our lives as Army brats and in our lives as Army members, we have traveled all over the world. We've lived in so many places," she said.

"But one of the places we never spent much time in was the heartland. Right here in the U.S.A. We've really so enjoyed our time here. ... Living here in Callaway County, we have felt the spirit and the kindness of the community that's around us and it has inspired us to do the service and the things that we have done."