new church life: november/december 2016
and Rumer families here in attendance. Please know that we are so pleased you
could join us today and share in our expression of love and appreciation for
everything Dr. Sherri Rumer Cooper did for Bryn Athyn College.
Rev. Dan Goodenough
The Rev. Daniel Goodenough was a very popular member of the faculty
and administration at the Academy of the New Church. He was ordained
in 1965 and became assistant to the pastor at the Olivet Church in Toronto,
Ontario. Two years later he moved his family to Bryn Athyn where he became
an instructor at the Academy of the New Church. He went on to become Dean
of the Theological School in 1990, then President of the Academy in 1992.
During his tenure at the Academy, Rev. Goodenough served as a beloved
teacher at four Academy schools: Bryn Athyn College, the Theological School,
the Boys School and the Girls School. His keen knowledge of religion and
history, along with his passion for scholarship, were evident in every class he
taught. The positive effect he had on students was a result of his knowledge and
teaching skills surely, but the impact he made also came from a special sense of
caring that he consistently brought to the classroom.
During Rev. Goodenough’s tenure as President of the Academy, he made
many contributions to the development and expansion of the campus and
programs. He served for 10 years as Academy President, then retired in 2002.
His leadership was instrumental in expanding the uses of the Academy while
inspiring many others to follow in his footsteps. Those who had the privilege of
having been taught or mentored by Rev. Goodenough remember him fondly.
Dan and his wife Ruth now make their home in northern Minnesota, and
it is a pleasure to be joined by both of them as well as other members of the
Goodenough family. We are thrilled to honor Dan today with the dedication
of the Goodenough Residence Hall.
Dedication of the Major General Ronald Nelson Athletic Field
Major General Ronald Nelson is a respected alumnus who attended the
College from 1950 to 1951, after graduating from the Academy Boys School in
1950. As a long-time teacher at the Academy, General Nelson was instrumental
in the creation of the Bryn Athyn College men’s lacrosse program 50 years ago.
His legacy is rooted in the use of sport as a platform to teach integrity, courage,
dedication, commitment and honesty.
Speaking personally now, I have to refer to General Nelson as Coach
Nelson, which is the title by which we addressed him as college students.
Coach Nelson is indeed a special man. Every student-athlete coached by him
admires and appreciates the education, training and mentoring that he gave to
each of us. Coach Nelson taught us invaluable lessons that have indeed lasted
a lifetime. He inspired his student-athletes to take on tough competition, to
believe in themselves, and to play the game with true sportsmanship and
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