A rich Martin Methodist College legacy lived on Friday night, May 2, during the 2008 Jubilee Dinner as the son and daughter of a beloved former president and religion teacher were inducted into the alumni’s Hall of Distinction.

Dr. Eleanor Fowler McCrickard and the Rev. Dr. William J. Fowler not only earned degrees from then-Martin College in 1959 and 1961, respectively, but they lived on the campus as teenaged children of Dr. J. Fort Fowler, who served as president of the college from 1954-61 and his wife, Elizabeth, who taught religion.

Both of the honorees noted how significantly Martin College shaped their later lives.

“I feel very fortunate to have spent time here,” said McCrickard, who went on to earn degrees from Birmingham-Southern College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before embarking on a highly distinguished career as a music scholar and a member of the music faculty at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. “As I look back, therew were some wonderful teachers here who got us going in what would become our chosen paths.”

Her brother went on to earn degrees from George Peabody College, the University of Tennessee, and Duke Divinity School. He has served a number of churches in the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church, including his current position as senior pastor of Church Street UMC in Knoxville, Tenn. He will retire this year after 42 years in the ministry.

“If Mom and Dad were here and could see how many steps forward Martin College has taken, and to see my sister and me receive this honor, they would be truly thrilled,” Fowler said.