CONWAY, Ark. (Sept. 17, 2009) – Lucile Esmon Shivley, 97, of Little Rock was attending Hendrix College in 1930 when she had to drop out due to the Great Depression – the drastic fall of cotton prices at the time (to 2 ½ cents per pound) meant she could no longer afford to attend college and, sadly, she was not able to graduate with the Hendrix Class of 1932. On Thursday, Mrs. Shivley was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Hendrix College for her years or service to the college.
Also on Thursday, the Tulsa, Okla.-based J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation was awarded the Spirit of Hendrix Award for their dedicated commitment to Hendrix College. A relationship that has stretched more than 50 years, The Mabee Foundation has supported major building projects in every capital campaign at Hendrix College for the past half century, including the current Student Life and Technology Center scheduled to be opened in January.
Shivley and the Mabee Foundation, represented by foundation Trustee (retired Federal Judge) Thomas Brett, were honored Thursday during a special Convocation in Reves Recital Hall at Hendrix College.
ABOUT MRS. SHIVLEY: Lucile Esmon was born on Oct. 21, 1911, and grew up on her family's farm near Corning, Ark. She attended Hendrix College and is a member of the Hendrix Class of 1932. She married the late Charles Shivley on Sept. 7, 1932, and spent the next 69 years as a homemaker and as Charles's "public relations woman," as she has described her role.
She and Charles shared a deep commitment to the United Methodist Church. Lucile has been a vital part of the congregation of Highland Valley United Methodist Church for two decades. She is known as a progressive and forward-thinking church leader with the ability to reach out to and encourage others.
Lucile has a deep respect for higher education. Her enthusiasm and personal warmth make her a favorite with Hendrix students. Many of her gifts to Hendrix have supported initiatives that enhance social justice and help students expand their understanding of other cultures. She generously supported the construction of Bailey Library, a hub for learning on campus. Through a series of challenge grants, she encouraged increased giving in support of scholarships and financial aid for students. More recently, she has contributed toward Your Hendrix Odyssey, a curricular initiative that focuses on active, engaged learning. Her Odyssey gift is helping fund student projects that incorporate service learning into international travel or study abroad experiences in third-world countries.
Lucile's many interests include volunteering at Camp Aldersgate, a national project related to the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, and supporting Heifer International in its fight against world hunger. She has been an active volunteer with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army throughout the years. In Forrest City, she was involved with the United Council of Churches and was the first woman to receive the city's "Woman of the Year" award in 1950. Lucile received the 2005 Kresge Award, which is given annually by the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. The award honors “a United Methodist who embodies two important characteristics of the late Stanley S. Kresge: dedicated membership in The United Methodist Church and unselfish support of United Methodist Higher Education.” Lucile was awarded the 2007 Outstanding Philanthropist Award by the Arkansas chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).
ABOUT THE MABEE FOUNDATION: The Mabee Foundation has supported major building projects in every capital campaign at Hendrix College for the past half century. During that time, every Hendrix student has been the beneficiary of the Mabee Foundation’s generous philanthropy. Through its support of Hendrix, the Mabee Foundation has demonstrated a firm commitment to world-class teaching and learning facilities that allow Hendrix to better fulfill its mission to cultivate whole persons.
The Spirit of Hendrix Award was established in 2003 to recognize rare and outstanding service to causes consistent with the ideals of Hendrix College. The award is given to those organizations that exemplify by their actions the College’s love of learning, sense of social justice, responsibility to serve others, and concern for worthy values.
The J. E. and L. E. Mabee Foundation was formed in 1948 by Mr. John E. Mabee and his wife, Lottie E. Mabee, to aid institutions of higher learning, Christian religious organizations, hospitals, and other charitable organizations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Hendrix is pleased to be among the Arkansas nonprofits that have shared more than $50 million in grant awards from the Mabee Foundation. More than 80 percent of the awards given in Arkansas have gone to educational and healthcare organizations that improve the quality of life for all Arkansans.
The Mabee Foundation’s support has enabled the College to construct facilities that enhance academic, co-curricular, and student life on the Hendrix campus. The buildings constructed with support from the Mabee Foundation include classrooms, laboratories, libraries, study areas, wellness and athletics facilities, residence halls and the new Student Life and Technology Center opening in January 2010. The legacy of buildings that Mabee Foundation gifts have made possible through the years has given Hendrix a physical campus that meets the needs of a college that is recognized as a national leader in engaged liberal arts and sciences education.
ABOUT HENDRIX COLLEGE: Hendrix, founded in 1876, is an undergraduate liberal arts college emphasizing experiential learning in a demanding yet supportive environment. The college is profiled in Loren Pope’s book Colleges That Change Lives. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. For more information, visit www.hendrix.edu.