by Amber Neri
Staff Writer
ULV’s Board of Trustees has named the University’s newest building, currently under construction, the Landis Academic Center in honor of Richard and Beth Landis, prominent supporters of the University.
The art gallery housed in the Center, along with the school of Business and Economics, has been named the Harris Art Gallery in honor of Barbara and Benjamin Harris, and Harriet and Willard Harris, long-time contributors to the University.
An honorary trustee since 1966, Ida S. Howell, and her late husband Frank D. Howell, have also been honored with the new board room named in recognition of their generous support and dedication.
“Beth and Richard Landis were students in the 1940s and have been loyal supporters ever since,” said President Stephen Morgan. “Richard has honored his father, who was also a Trustee, with the establishment of a scholarship in his memory, and he and Beth have supported a multitude of University projects over the last 50 years, including scholarships, building renovations and departmental and leadership opportunities for students.”
Landis, one of six children, all of whom attended ULV, was first named to a three-year term on the Board of Trustees in 1948 and later served another 18 years of active membership. Now a Trustee Emeritus, Landis is one of the most outstanding volunteers in ULV’s 103-year history, according to Morgan.
Interested in helping young people further their education, the Landises were pleased to hear about the dedication of the center in their name.
“The honor of having a building named after us is a real tribute. I am most humbly grateful for it,” said Richard Landis.
“It is so critical to give back a portion of what you’ve benefited from in your lifetime,” said Landis. “I don’t seek, desire or need these things [named buildings], it is just a reminder to me of a good thing that I’ve done.”
The Harris brothers served on the Board of Trustees, as did their uncle, C.D. Harris. The Harrises have supported numerous scholarship programs, the centennial campaign in 1991, the library restoration, Music Department and Athletic Department programs, the President’s Advisory Council and the ULV Corporate Associates.
Benjamin Harris currently chairs the Board of Trustees. Both couples have been active participants and generous donors to ULV.
“The contribution of their services as general contractors made possible the building or renovation of the Oaks Residence Hall, the Student Services building, Woody Hall and the current expansion of the Wilson Library and construction of the Landis Academic Center,” stated Dr. Morgan.
Howell has been an honorary trustee since 1966, and life-long supporter of education. Her generosity to the University and dedication to promoting higher education among students is something that has contributed greatly to ULV.
Her support made possible the Ida Studebaker Scholarship, which was established in 1985, and she contributed to the building of the Student Center, the library restoration program, the Fasnacht Chair of Religion, the Frank Howell Scholarship and other scholarship funds, the Summer Service Program, the Music Department, the Wilson Library and Landis Academic Center.
Frank Howell was the longest serving Chairman of the Board, a position he held for 14 years, until his retirement in 1958, when he was named Trustee Emeritus.
The naming of the board room is something that Howell feels her late husband would have been ‘immensely’ pleased about.
Giving to others has always been a part of her life. “It’s a part of my philosophy in life to give and do all the good you can do. I enjoy giving,” said Howell.
