Alumni Update
WC Honors Alumni Service Awardees
MEMBERS OF THE Board of Visitors and Governors, the Alumni Council,
and family, friends and colleagues of the late Edward M. Athey
’67 and Harry C. Rhodes ’35 gathered in February
to celebrate their generosity and commitment to Washington College,
and to reminisce. There were trademark tokens—Bazooka
bubblegum for Ed and pencils for Harry—and lots of stories.
A member of the Board of Visitors and Governors, Ed Athey grew
up on campus, studied here, and throughout his adulthood volunteered
his time as a coach, athletic booster and alumni leader. He
helped establish the wrestling program, and served as head coach
in 1974-75. He coached the junior varsity lacrosse program for
several years, and served as a varsity lacrosse assistant coach
under Mickey DiMaggio. Among his many leadership positions,
Ed Athey served on the Hall of Fame Committee, was Chair of
the WC Community Fund, served on the Alumni Council, and since
1997 had been an alumni-elected representative to the Board.
He chaired the student life committee and sat on committees
overseeing admissions and financial aid and development.
Ron Athey spoke eloquently about his brother on behalf of the
entire Athey family. He depicted what it was like for the Athey
kids to grow up literally on the “playground” of
Washington College.
Bill Russell ’53 recalled Ed Athey as “a quiet,
but most effective member of the Board who represented his alumni
constituency very well. His common sense benefited several committees
of the board, to which he gave freely of his time and talent.
He was a builder of consensus with a marvelous sense of humor.
There are many endearing stories about Ed; all evoke the essence
of a man considerate of others, a friend who is sorely missed
by all who knew him.”
Harry Rhodes, a lifelong educator, has lent his support to several
College initiatives in the sciences, including the Joseph H.
McLain Chair in Environmental Studies and construction of the
John S. Toll Science Center. He also led his class’s effort
to raise more than $258,000 in gifts and pledges for Louis L.
Goldstein Hall, the academic building named for his fellow classmate.
Harold Kennerly ’35 described Rhodes as “a very
dedicated person. He was that way when we were students, organizing
the football team and getting all the proper equipment ready
for games. He was active as a student and has remained so as
an alumnus. He was highly respected by his classmates and continues
to be respected today.”
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