The dedication of the Thrift Library at Anderson University on April 12 represents a high watermark in the history of that South Carolina Baptist institution.
Don KirklandEvans Whitaker, Anderson’s president, can and should take great satisfaction in this accomplishment under his quiet, but effective, administration. The library was properly called his “vision” at the dedication ceremonies.
Praise is due the Swift brothers, Sam and Tom, two Baptists who have consistently demonstrated their belief in Christian education by their service to Anderson for more than 40 years, and who were credited with laying “the cornerstone” of the new library with their gift.
Whitaker made it clear during his dedicatory remarks that Sam’s wife Joellen and Patsy Thrift, wife of Tom, deserve most of the credit for convincing their husbands to permit the library to bear their name. “The last thing they wanted,” said the Anderson president, “was to have the library named for them.”
The Thrift Library will serve in a more efficient and attractive way the needs of Anderson University’s growing student body. It also will be a source of pride as well as a valuable resource for the greater Anderson community, whose idea it was to organize a college in their city nearly a century ago.
In an earlier article appearing in The Baptist Courier, Barry Ray, director of marketing and communications for the school, said, “All of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends will carry their heads a little higher. This is certainly a facility to be very proud of.”
South Carolina Baptists – whether they are alumni or not, and even if they feel a greater kinship with Charleston Southern or North Greenville universities – also should hold their heads up high over the new Thrift Library at Anderson University.
Christian education is a joint endeavor of South Carolina Baptists, and we should take pride in, and give our support to, each of our Baptist universities. The cause of Christian education was an underlying purpose for the establishment of the South Carolina Baptist Convention in 1821. It remains a vital ministry when the need is so great for minds to be exposed to all of God’s truth with the purpose of viewing the world as Jesus did – and living as he did.
Anderson University deserves the praise received for its Thrift Library, which will increase the school’s service to South Carolina Baptists by enhancing its own ministry to its students.
It was aptly said, “The heart of the educational enterprise is the library, and we have a new heart.” May it beat for the enlightenment of fertile and seeking minds to the glory of God.