Candlelight Dinner 2009
Candles burned brightly as more than 100 people held them as they sang Rocky Mountain College’s Alma Mater during the centennial celebration of the annual Candlelight Dinner.
The 100th anniversary of the tradition of the first meal shared on campus was also occasion to honor Ron Sovey, RMC ’65, with the Outstanding Alumni Award, and Dr. Lawrence Small, with the Distinguished Service Award. Both men exemplified the legacy of those who, from the first day of the College to the present day, demonstrate faithful friendship and generous support.
Mr. Sovey, who serves on the Board of Trustees, was unable to attend due to family health related problems, but Myron Vogele, a classmate of Mr. Sovey’s, accepted the award on his behalf.
Mr. Sovey was honored for demonstrating his devotion and admiration for Rocky Mountain College in a number of ways. First by showing how the education he received helped him in his career. He is retired from John Deere International where he was the Director of Wage Administration, establishing all the wages for John Deere in North America.
Second, Mr. Sovey honored RMC by helping to establish the Larry Pretty Weasel Endowed Scholarship. He made a very generous donation to that scholarship to acknowledge his good friend from college, but also to help future students who he knows will benefit from an RMC education.
Third, he honored his college by making a 10-year pledge to the RMC Annual Fund and by joining the RMC Quarter Back Club to support RMC football.
Fourth, his service to RMC, which includes membership on the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association, has been loyal and long.
While he could not attend the dinner, Mr. Sovey sent along his thoughts about his devotion and commitment to Rocky, which is refreshed whenever he is on campus.
“It has always been a pretty campus, one I enjoyed looking down on from the rims as a student,” he said.
The preservation of the historic sandstone buildings has been rewarding as he served as a trustee. He recalled how close the Rocky students were when he attended and is glad that friendship endures today. In 1961-65, he played second base for the Rocky baseball team and went to nationals his senior year. Those teammates still stay in touch, he said.
Mr. Sovey also said he regretted not being able to attend because he especially wanted to be here when Dr. Small was honored. In his absence,
President Mace introduced Dr. Small, “one of the College’s most distinguished advocates.”
Noting that he considered Dr. Small a special comrade in arms, since they both served as president of the College. President Mace said he valued Dr. Small’s "advice and counsel, and humor and wit."
Dr. Small came to RMC in 1959 as a professor, and was named president in 1966. He served as president until 1975 when he returned to teaching, retiring in 1990. He served from 1984-1990 as executive director for the Montana Association of Churches. He was also founder and chair of the RMC Institute for Peace Studies. He was a leader in the “Not in Our Town” campaign to fight racism, from which the Institute and its annual Festival of Cultures grew.
In addition to other books, Dr. Small authored the two-volume college history, "Courageous Journey," and "Pathways to the Present." He is Rocky’s institutional history in the flesh.
“He and his wife, Elfie, are enthusiasts for all things Rocky. It is a pleasure to see them at the concerts, at lectures and receptions on campus. They bring special warmth to those occasions,” President Mace concluded.
Also speaking at the 100th Candlelight was RMC alumni Rod Svee, who is also a member of the RMC Board of Directors and president of the RMC Alumni Association, and Matthew Prasch, the president of the Associated Students of RMC.
Entertainment was provided by RMC students, Ellen Moak, a sophomore majoring in music/anthropology, from Billings, Mont.; Christa Salomon, a junior majoring in music performance/, from Ronan, Mont.; Heather Grotbo, a junior majoring in geology/art from Helena, Mont.; and Tien-Wei Hueng, a junior majoring in music performance, from Taipei, Taiwan.
Read MoreThe 100th anniversary of the tradition of the first meal shared on campus was also occasion to honor Ron Sovey, RMC ’65, with the Outstanding Alumni Award, and Dr. Lawrence Small, with the Distinguished Service Award. Both men exemplified the legacy of those who, from the first day of the College to the present day, demonstrate faithful friendship and generous support.
Mr. Sovey, who serves on the Board of Trustees, was unable to attend due to family health related problems, but Myron Vogele, a classmate of Mr. Sovey’s, accepted the award on his behalf.
Mr. Sovey was honored for demonstrating his devotion and admiration for Rocky Mountain College in a number of ways. First by showing how the education he received helped him in his career. He is retired from John Deere International where he was the Director of Wage Administration, establishing all the wages for John Deere in North America.
Second, Mr. Sovey honored RMC by helping to establish the Larry Pretty Weasel Endowed Scholarship. He made a very generous donation to that scholarship to acknowledge his good friend from college, but also to help future students who he knows will benefit from an RMC education.
Third, he honored his college by making a 10-year pledge to the RMC Annual Fund and by joining the RMC Quarter Back Club to support RMC football.
Fourth, his service to RMC, which includes membership on the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association, has been loyal and long.
While he could not attend the dinner, Mr. Sovey sent along his thoughts about his devotion and commitment to Rocky, which is refreshed whenever he is on campus.
“It has always been a pretty campus, one I enjoyed looking down on from the rims as a student,” he said.
The preservation of the historic sandstone buildings has been rewarding as he served as a trustee. He recalled how close the Rocky students were when he attended and is glad that friendship endures today. In 1961-65, he played second base for the Rocky baseball team and went to nationals his senior year. Those teammates still stay in touch, he said.
Mr. Sovey also said he regretted not being able to attend because he especially wanted to be here when Dr. Small was honored. In his absence,
President Mace introduced Dr. Small, “one of the College’s most distinguished advocates.”
Noting that he considered Dr. Small a special comrade in arms, since they both served as president of the College. President Mace said he valued Dr. Small’s "advice and counsel, and humor and wit."
Dr. Small came to RMC in 1959 as a professor, and was named president in 1966. He served as president until 1975 when he returned to teaching, retiring in 1990. He served from 1984-1990 as executive director for the Montana Association of Churches. He was also founder and chair of the RMC Institute for Peace Studies. He was a leader in the “Not in Our Town” campaign to fight racism, from which the Institute and its annual Festival of Cultures grew.
In addition to other books, Dr. Small authored the two-volume college history, "Courageous Journey," and "Pathways to the Present." He is Rocky’s institutional history in the flesh.
“He and his wife, Elfie, are enthusiasts for all things Rocky. It is a pleasure to see them at the concerts, at lectures and receptions on campus. They bring special warmth to those occasions,” President Mace concluded.
Also speaking at the 100th Candlelight was RMC alumni Rod Svee, who is also a member of the RMC Board of Directors and president of the RMC Alumni Association, and Matthew Prasch, the president of the Associated Students of RMC.
Entertainment was provided by RMC students, Ellen Moak, a sophomore majoring in music/anthropology, from Billings, Mont.; Christa Salomon, a junior majoring in music performance/, from Ronan, Mont.; Heather Grotbo, a junior majoring in geology/art from Helena, Mont.; and Tien-Wei Hueng, a junior majoring in music performance, from Taipei, Taiwan.
