Emeritus professor donates for Cornell chaplain, chapel

MOUNT VERNON – A $60,000 gift from Linda and Truman Jordan, professor emeritus of chemistry, will help endow the Cornell College chaplain position and further improvements to King Chapel.

Jordan is an honorary alumnus of Cornell who began his career at Cornell in 1966. He was granted emeritus status in 2002 and has remained active on campus.

The bulk of the gift will fund the chaplain endowment, with the remaining $10,000 used to supplement the annual fund and purchase wireless headphones for the hearing impaired for King Chapel, the primary venue for campus speakers and performances. The idea for wireless headphones came from local videographer Dean Traver, who let Jordan borrow a pair during a recent performance.

“I finally figured out the solution to my problem was to donate headphones to Cornell so that I and others with a similar problem would be able to take advantage of the wonderful public presentations Cornell offers to the community,” said Jordan.

Jordan added that the support for the chaplain fund was a way to honor his father and mother.

“Neither of my parents had the opportunity to be college students, but if they had, I am sure they would have found the chaplain’s work to be important to them,” said Jordan. “This gift provides the perfect way for me to honor them in a manner that I know is meaningful to them.”

Jordan said that, during his over 40 years at Cornell, the Chaplain’s office, first through The Rev. Dr. Richard H. Thomas and now The Rev. Quehl-Engel, has always been a strong source of leadership in the community.

“We cannot thank Truman and Linda enough for their dedication to Cornell,” said Vice President for Alumni and College Advancement Peter Wilch. “It is humbling to think of all the wonderful things the Jordans have done on campus and as part of the community over the past 42 years, and after these many contributions they have chosen to give a generous gift to Cornell at a crucial time. The college is fortunate to have friends like the Jordans.”

The Jordans’ gift is part of Cornell College’s comprehensive campaign Extraordinary Opportunities: The Campaign for Cornell College which will continue through December 2009. The campaign will enhance the Cornell experience by increasing the college’s endowment, upgrading its facilities, and enhancing the academic program.

For more information about the campaign or making a gift, visit cornellcollege.edu/campaign.