Claflin University News August 10, 2011 Claflin University Honors the Elmore Family with Paintings during Unveiling Ceremony The late Dr. James Elmore, Sr. and Mrs. Dorothy Z. Elmore, '61, felt a void in their hearts. As dedicated supporters of Claflin University, the couple recognized the institution was making tremendous strides. However, it had been decades since the University had a chapel to worship. When Mrs. Elmore arrived as a student at Claflin in 1957, she fondly recalled the memories she shared with her husband at the T. Willard Lewis Chapel on campus. In the 1970's, the Lewis Chapel was torn down to build the W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center. "Our memory of the old chapel inspired us to rebuild a chapel for generations to come," she said during an Aug. 10 ceremony honoring the Elmores for their contributions to Claflin. "Thanks to my husband for having a vision to make this a reality." President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale noted that the Elmores' legacy at the University will be forever marked by their dedication to seeing their vision to fruition. In 1999, the couple contributed $250,000 to build a new chapel and challenged University supporters to lend their support. The challenge was resoundingly met by alumni and friends of Claflin. In 2007, the Elmores' visionary dream was realized when a beautiful, ornately decorated $3 million chapel was completed on campus. The Claflin Board of Trustees named it the James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel in honor of the building's initial benefactors. Renowned photographer and author Cecil Williams, '60, created two mixed media interpretive paintings to honor the couple. The first depicted the Elmores together as a couple. The second was a collage which showed the couple, the Elmore chapel, the Lewis Chapel, Tisdale and the University Concert Choir performing, among other images. Dr. Elmore was shown hovering above the other imagery in the second painting. Williams said that was symbolic of the fact that Dr. Elmore was "still watching over us." "It was my great honor," said Williams of creating the commemorative artwork. The crowd assembled in the vestibule of the James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel voiced their approval with applause as the paintings were unveiled. Tisdale thanked the Elmores for their generosity, saying they made "this beautiful chapel possible." He noted they helped the University continue its longstanding tradition of affording students a high quality education in a Christian environment. "This is a day of rejoicing and celebration," Tisdale said. "We are fortunate God gave us a blessing." Dr. Elmore was a member of the University's Board of Trustees and Board of Visitors. He began his own plumbing business in 1949 and was also the proprietor of the Edisto Theater in Orangeburg for 15 years. Mrs. Elmore graduated from Claflin in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. For 43 years, she served in education as a teacher, librarian and assistant principal. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.