Featured image: Constructed in 1958, the Brown Chapel and Fine Arts Building at Lyon College is named for W.C. Brown, Sr., of Stamps, Arkansas, a college trustee from 1910 to 1915, and two of his children, Allan (also a trustee from 1929 to 1937) and Josephine Brown. The chapel is an iconic structure resonating with scores of Lyon College alumni and students.
Lyon College will celebrate 150 years of history, heritage, and service to Arkansas and the Batesville community during the College’s sesquicentennial celebrations from Oct. 14 to Oct. 22 on the Batesville campus, 2300 Highland Rd.
Celebrations will begin Friday through Sunday, Oct. 14-16, with ScotsFest, the 42nd Arkansas Scottish Festival, and Lyon College Homecoming, and will culminate on Saturday, Oct. 22, with the inauguration of Dr. Melissa Taverner, Lyon College’s 19th president, and a sesquicentennial gala.
Founders’ Week, Oct. 17-22, events are as follows:
Be a Part of the Future
Past and present students, faculty, staff, and friends of the College are invited to submit photos and other memorabilia for inclusion in a sesquicentennial time capsule. Items should be small, and paper items should be laminated. Deliver or mail items to the Advancement office, Lyon College, Nichols Administration Building, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville, AR 72501.
Traveling Mural Unveiling and Reception, Monday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m.
There will be a reception featuring the debut of a traveling mural depicting 150 years of Lyon College in the Kresge Gallery of the Alphin Humanities Building. Lyon College alumna and mural artist Daisy Hall, of Batesville, designed and painted the mural. Hall, Associate Professor of Art Dustyn Bork, and Historian-in-Residence Dr. Brooks Blevins will speak at the event. Refreshments will be served. The public is invited.
Poetry Slam, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 6-8 p.m.
Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to participate in a poetry slam in the Student Center in Edwards Commons. The sesquicentennial poem, written by alumna Andrea Hollander, will be read at the end of the evening. The public is invited.
Lyon College at 150 Lecture with Dr. Brooks Blevins, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 6 p.m.
A lecture on the history of Lyon College with Historian-in-Residence Dr. Brooks Blevins is scheduled in the Nucor Auditorium of the Lyon Business and Economics Building. The public is invited.
Lyon College Historical Bus Tour, Thursday, Oct. 20, 4-5 p.m.
There will be a historic bus tour of Lyon College led by Dr. Blevins. The bus will depart from the Mabee-Simpson Library and will feature a tour of locations of significance in Lyon College’s history. Participants are asked to arrive at the library by 3:45 p.m. The public is invited.
Founders’ Day, Friday, Oct. 21
11 a.m. — There will be a Founders’ Day Convocation in the Sloan Auditorium of Brown Chapel. The convocation is an annual event to observe and celebrate the College’s founding in 1872. This year’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Dan C. West, who served as Lyon College president from 1972 to 1988. His speech is titled “Perseverance, Progress and Promise.” The public is invited.
12-1:30 p.m. — Lyon College students, faculty and staff will gather for a sesquicentennial picnic featuring the Lyon College Marching Band, the Lyon College Pipers, and the Lyon College Jazz Band.
5-8 p.m. —There will be a past and present faculty and staff appreciation social at the Highland House with music by north central Arkansas musical duo The Natural Disasters.
President’s Inauguration and Gala, Saturday, Oct. 22
9 a.m.-3 p.m. — There will be an Alumni Choir Reunion in the Sloan Auditorium of Brown Chapel.
10:30 a.m. — Lyon College will celebrate the inauguration of 19th President Dr. Melissa Taverner in Couch Garden. The Lyon College Alumni Choir will perform. Inaugural keynote speaker will be Dr. Jacqueline Howard, medical director of Wellpath and Lyon College alumna.
*12-1 p.m. — There will be an inauguration brunch at Bradley Manor.
*5-9 p.m. — The College will celebrate its sesquicentennial with a black-tie gala in the Becknell Gymnasium.
*By invitation or pre-paid tickets only.
Intimidator eNVy Raffle
In support of the Lyon College Mabee-Simpson Library student success center project, Lyon College is selling raffle tickets for an Intimidator eNVy neighborhood donated by the Intimidator Group of Batesville. Tickets are $20 each or six for $100 and must be purchased in person from a member of the Advancement team. The drawing will be Saturday, Oct. 22, during the sesquicentennial gala.
Oaklawn Racing Casino and Resort Online Auction
Also in support of the student success center project is an online auction for an Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort package donated by Bill and Janice Walmsley. The Dec. 16-18 package includes a two-night luxury hotel stay, track box seating for eight for two days, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the track with Bill Walmsley at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18. To place a bid, visit https://one.bidpal.net/lyon150/browse/8(details:item/14).
For more information about the Lyon College sesquicentennial celebrations, please visit Lyon.edu/150 or contact Pam Palermo, director of institutional events, at pamela.palermo@lyon.edu.
Image and information provided by Lyon College
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