MANSFIELD, PA— One Mansfield University President honored another when current President Fran Hendricks awarded the Presidential Coin
for Excellence to former President Rod Kelchner on Saturday, July 11.
The presentation took place at the annual Steve Zegalia Memorial Golf Outing at Corey Creek Golf Club in Mansfield.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor than President Kelchner,” Hendricks said. “I’m confident in saying that no one in the last 50 years has had a more positive impact on Mansfield University and its students. President Kelchner changed lives, including my own.”
Hendricks credits Kelchner with influencing him to come to Mansfield as a student when Kelchner was dean of students in the 1970s. Hendricks graduated from Mansfield in 1979.
Kelchner came to Mansfield in 1964 as a history instructor and assistant dean of men and held several positions during is his 34 years of service to the university, including dean of students, head football coach, associate professor, dean of development and external relations.
He was named interim president in 1983 and then president in 1984, serving until his retirement in 1998. Kelchner was awarded coin number 15 in honor of his 15 years as president.
Kelchner launched the drive to save and restore North Hall and in 1996 oversaw the dedication ceremonies for what is the centerpiece structure on the Mansfield campus.
In 1998, MU students began a movement that resulted in the Council of Trustees passing a resolution to name the then new campus fitness center in Kelchner’s honor.
Kelchner was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters at Commencement in December, 2005. He also served as speaker for the ceremony.
The Presidential Coin for Excellence was developed by Hendricks and designed by MU Publications Director Andy Worthington. It is awarded selectively to persons who have contributed greatly to the university, using the Mansfield Creed; Character, Scholarship, Culture and Service as a guideline.
The coin bears several symbols representing historical highlights and other aspects of the university that make it distinctive.
For more information on the Mansfield University Presidential Coin for Excellence and to see the gallery of honorees, go to president.mansfield.edu/coin-for-excellence