Benjamin Franklin Ormand, Jr. '34
(Year Awarded--1999)

The Davidson Class of 1934 enjoys a benefit which almost no newspaper readers or TV news watchers can claim. For over 20 years these Davidson men have received the news (of their class) from the same familiar source-Ben Ormand. As he and his classmates celebrate their 65th reunion, it is fitting to mention the name of the man who has mentioned their names in nearly 100 issues of Davidson Journal Class Notes.

Ben is a tried and true preacher of the gospel; yet he successfully resisted filling his columns with sermons. But he was just the right one to deal, over the years, with those pastoral concerns like the honors, the moves, and the many other life changes going on within his circle of college comrades. Meanwhile, back at his own series of homes and jobs and towns, he did what he expected his classmates to be doing-representing the best Davidson heritage of service to others.

From the Virginias to the Carolinas, he served as a pastor, ran a presbytery for a decade as its executive, moderated a presbytery five times, played golf-and taught it in summers while being a camp chaplain. He appreciated, he said, the sense of values he acquired by being at Davidson in the hard times of the Great Depression, so he always made room for trips back to his alma mater. In fact, if Davidson gave out attendance pins, as Sunday Schools used to do, Ben could be wearing one with merit bars dangling down from his chest to his knees. When chances to see old college friends came, he was there. When chances to step up and help were announced, he responded. This "scout" has been faithful!

Because your enthusiasm for Davidson is catching; because your sense of duty is innate, and because you represent your college with winsomeness and zeal, as you do your faith, the Davidson College Alumni Association honors you, Benjamin Franklin Ormand, Class of 1934, and presents you with the Alumni Service Award on the occasion of the 65th Reunion of your class.