A.J. Thurston Chair Of Choral Music

This endowed faculty chair was established in 2000 by Carolyn Thurston Holden, Class of 1941. It memorializes her grandfather, Dr. A. J. Thurston, class of 1870, and her parents, W. Eden Thurston, class of 1909, and Carolyn McCaslin Thurston, class of 1908. Dr. Thurston was a successful businessman in Shelbyville, Indiana, serving on the College's Board of Trustees from 1889 to 1935, receiving an honorary degree during his final year of service to the Board. Mrs. Holden wanted to honor her grandfather and parents in this way because she is "what she is today because of their education, sacrifices and hard work." In speaking of her grandfather she said, "It was he who had the ambition for an education, became successful and provided education and opportunity for his children on through to the great-grandchildren." Mrs. Holden's grandfather and father loved music and were talented musicians, making the establishment of this chair in Choral Music a fitting legacy.