A man who spent 35 years shaping young minds will have his name honored for years to come, thanks to a coalition of Westminster College alumni.
"Together we reached out to hundreds of alumni," said Elizabeth Cole, class of 1994. "I'm proud to announce we raised over $1 million to establish the Dr. John Langton endowed professorship."
It's officially called the Dr. John Langton Professorship of Legal Studies and Political Science. The interest gained from the money raised will pay the salary and benefits of future professors who take John Langton's - known by his students as Dr. John - place at the college when he retires.
In a room full of friends and colleagues, Westminster president Benjamin Akande talked about the impact Langton has on the life of his students.
"Dr. John has taught, inspired and engaged more than 5,000 students in his tenure here at Westminster," he said. "It is because of his outstanding leadership that Westminster is one of the few school in the country offering a pre-law minor and sending 200 plus graduates to more than 30 law schools during his time here."
Having solicited donations from alumni over the last two years, Cole said she was amazed by the response to invitations to donate.
"The one thing we all had in common that made this project work out, every person we connected with was eager to help," she said.
Present Monday was Emily Moore, one of Langton's former students who was instrumental in raising the funds for the endowment. She said he taught her many skills, both in and out of the classroom, which have shaped her and benefited thousands of other students.
"Dr. John pushed me to think deeply and ask hard questions," she said. "The lessons I learned from our conversations outside the classroom are unforgettable."
Moore added another gem of wisdom ingrained in her by Langton.
"He taught me a lesson too few understand today: that you can disagree and still be friends," she said. "In my own life, I will remember Dr. John believed in me."
Alumni Jim Bennett was another former student who raised funds for the endowment. Bennett, who wasn't in attendance Monday but was watching via Facebook Live, said he hoped the endowed chair will extend Langton's legacy.
"We were all very excited to help with this project in honor of Dr. Langton, who has had such a tremendous impact on an entire generation of Westminster students," Bennett said. "We hope that the named professorship or chair will be a nice honor for him over the remaining years he teaches at the College and also help his legacy live on for many years after that."
After the official announcement, an emotional Langton took a few moments to share his gratitude to those who helped raise the funds.
Langton, an avid tennis fan, also took the opportunity to thank Cole - who often played tennis with him - specifically for her help.
"I'm really happy I let her win so many tennis matches," he quipped.
He further put his sense of humor on display while thanking his wife.
"As an evolutionist, I would like to say I thank her very much for having made sure natural selection did not take me out,"Langton added.
The professorship, Langton said, is only a small part of what he called an edifying career.
"The Langton Professorship is the extremely gratifying and deeply appreciated icing on the cake of my 35-year career at Westminster," he said. "But the delicious cake itself has been helping my students to learn and grow and realize their dreams."
