NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION
THE LIBRARY
UN IV. OF NORTH CAROLINA
CHAPEL HILL, NC 27514
#• r o s s r o ti s
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Vice President Gerald A. Ford
New V.P. Spoke At Abbey
On Friday, January 21,1972, in
the Abbey Cathedral, the Vice-
president of the United States,
Gerald Ford, received an
honorary degree of Doctor of
Laws. On that day, he was
Congressman Gerald Ford,
Minority leader of the House of
Representatives.
Ford, who addressed the
convocation, was recognized for
dedication to leadership and
public service to the American
people. In his address, he said,
“Belmont Abbey College is a
most inspiring institution. It is
inspiring because it reflects the
Security Guard
Officer Perkins Dies
Lee Perkins
Abbey security guard Lee
Perkins died recently following
an illness of one month. Born
March 10,1929, he was the son of
Lola and Sidney Perkins.
Officer Perkins (as he was
known by. Abbey students)
before coming to Belmont Ab
bey, had been a Wills Fargo
guard, a constable and, at the
time of his death, a Gaston
county special deputy. He was
also a member of the South Point
Volunteer Fire Department.
Last year, Perkins and his wife
assumed the management of the
Belmont Abbey College snack
bar.
LeRoy Howard, head of
security for Belmont Abbey,
said, “Lee Perkins was the kind
of man who would get out of bed
at 3 in the morning to go help
someone. He gave until it hurt.
He would give even if it meant
taking from his own. I guess if
(See PERKINS, Page 9)
Twenty-Two
Graduate
best qualities of America -the
eagerness of young adults to
prepare themselves for positions
of leadership in communities
willingness of a dedicated
faculty to help them attain that
goal.”
Following the convocation.
Ford attended a press con
ference and then met with
students. Ford was later honored
at a faculty cocktail party and
dinner.
The new Vice-President has
recently been mentioned by the
press as a leading contender for
the Republican Presidential
nomination in 1976.
Twenty-two seniors from
Belmont Abbey College,
Belmont, North Carolina have
been graduated in December of
1973.
Those who have received the
bachelor of arts degree are
Gerald B. Baker, an accounting
major from Charlotte, N.C.;
Richard S. Barry, a psychology
major from Jersey City, N.J.;
David A. Bowers, an English
major who graduated cum laude
from Roanoke, Va.; Bobby E.
Bradley, a sociology major from
Gastonia, N.C. who graduated
magna cum laude; Reginald K.
Davis, an economics and
business major from Gastonia;
Gerald J. Dionne, an English
major from from Charlotte,
N.C.; Edward H. Ferris, a
political science major from
Gastonia, N.C.; John J. Ganem,
Jr., a history major from
Thunderbolt, Ga.; Thomas W.
Harwell, Jr., an economics and
business major from Lowell,
N.C.; Bruce E. Jenkins, a
sociology major from Estes
Park, Colorado; Robert A.
Lange, an economics and
business major from Richmond,
Virginia; Robert N. Lineberger,
Jr., an English major from
Dallas, North Carolina; Thomas
J. McCarthy, a political science
major from Philadelphia;
Pennsylvania; Harry J. Me,
Partland, Jr., a political science
major from Dowington, Penn
sylvania; George L. Samson
from Arlington, Virginia, who
(See GRADUATES, Page 9)
Science Division Chairman
Dr. Matthews Dies
Dr. Joseph A. Matthews
Dr. Joseph A. Matthews, who
retired as head of the Chemistry
Department and Chairman of
the Science Division last year,
died recently in Washington,
D.C.
At the 1973 graduation
ceremonies Dr. Matthews was
declared, by the Board of
Trustees, a Professor Emeritus
of Belmont Abbey College. He
was also presented a plaque by
the Rev. John Bradley,
President of the Abbey, in public
recognition of his great con
tribution to the college.
Dr. Matthews was honored at
funeral services at Holy Trinity
Catholic Church in Washington,
D.C., and at Belmont Abbey
Cathedral. He was interred in
the Belmont Abbey cemetery.
Survivors include his wife
Mary; five daughters; Mrs.
Mary Schaible of Baltimore,
Md.. Mrs. Salley Hinkel of Silver
Spring, Md, Mrs. Helen
Delaney of Chevy Chase, Md.,
Mrs. Julia Brittingham of New
Castle, Del., and Mrs. Margaret
Maines of Vienna, Va., and two
sons: Joseph A. Matthews Jr. of
Washington, D.C. and Richard
L. Matthews of Arlington, Va. He
is also survived by one sister,
Mrs. Mary Benchat of West'
wood, California.
r» Missouri,
Dr. Matthews spent much of his
'"Colorado. He took his
A.B. at Regis College in Denver
and received his M.S. from Holy
Cross, Worcester
Massachusetts. Dr. Matthews
earned his Ph. D. at Georgetown
University, and did advanced
studies at Catholic University of
America and George
Washington University.
Dr. Matthews came to
■Belmont Abbey College in 1957
having had much experience in
positions in both private and
governmental agencies. He
served on the staff of the Food
and Drug Administration and
H.E.W., and taught in Civil
Defense Schools throughout the
country.