Writer and theologian Dr. Frederick Buechner will speak in Chattanooga on January 26 during an evening dedicated to the memory of the late UTC Guerry professor of English George Connor.
Dr. Buechner and Chattanooga physician Dr. Clifton Cleaveland will engage in a conversation about the life of Mr. Connor and other topics during a presentation at the Dorothy Hackett Ward Theater on the UTC campus.
The program, which begins at 7:30 p.m., is free and open to the public.
Dr. Buechner is the author of more than 30 works of fiction and nonfiction, including novels, memoirs and theological writings. His works include The Sacred Journey, Whistling in the Dark and Godric. His writings have been runner-up for the Pulitzer Prize, nominated for the National Book Award and honored by the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature.
Mr. Connor and Dr. Buechner, who lives in Vermont, became friends after Buechner spoke at UTC during the school’s centennial celebration in 1986. They visited in each other’s homes on several occasions and corresponded frequently.
Mr. Connor compiled, edited and wrote the introduction for a book of meditations from Buechner’s canon, titled Listening to Your Life: Daily Meditations (Harper San Francisco).
“My admiration for Frederick Buechner as a writer is virtually without limit,” Mr. Connor wrote in the introduction. “If there is a writer with a more felicitous style now working in the English language, I do not know who it is.”
“We are delighted that Fred Buechner could be with us for this special evening,” said Dr. Cleaveland, one of the founders of the Connor Society, sponsor of the program. “We think his presence will provide a wonderful launch for what we hope will be an annual event honoring George.”
Prior to the program in the Ward Theater, the Connor Society and UTC will hold a reception welcoming Dr. Buechner back to campus. The reception will begin at 6 p.m. in the Patten House.
Admission to the reception is $25. Individuals who would like to attend the reception are asked to mail checks made out to the Connor Society of the UC Foundation to The Connor Society, 732 Cherry Street, Chattanooga 37402.
“Proceeds from the reception will be used to help fund the establishment of an annual program that celebrates George Connor’s life and the passions and high principles by which he lived,” Dr. Cleaveland said.
Mr. Connor joined the University in 1959. He was head of the English Department from 1963-69 and executive assistant to the Chancellor from 1967-70.
Mr. Connor’s eloquence, wit and mastery of his subject made him a teacher of enormous popularity. His exemplary life of duty, kindness and generosity made him a mentor of immense influence.
In 1963 the UC senior class presented him with the Ivy Award, the highest honor given by the graduating class, and in 1969 the University yearbook was dedicated in his honor.
In 1973 Mr. Connor was named Guerry Professor of English, the most prestigious honor the University bestows upon a faculty member. Ten years later he was presented the National UT Alumni Outstanding Teacher Award.
When he retired from UTC in 1985, the George Connor Professorship in American Literature was established in recognition of his 26 years of service.
Admired off-campus as well, Mr. Connor taught literature, the Bible and religion courses at his parish, Senior Neighbors and the Chattanooga Bible Institute. He also served on the Executive Council of Friends of the Bicentennial Library and on the Board of Directors of the Public Education Foundation.
He co-edited the popular text Discovering Modern Poetry (Holt, Rinehart and Winston).
Mr. Connor was a communicant of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He served on the vestry of St. Paul's and of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, where he was a charter member in 1957.
Upon Mr. Connor’s retirement, then UTC Provost Dr. John Trimpey, said, “The University is losing more than a superb teacher, a tireless contributor; it is losing a whole perspective, a philosophy, a view of academe which it shall not likely ever replace.
“We will hire new, young, brilliant teachers and dynamic researchers, but they will not have the impact on our students that you have had. They won’t bring the integrity to their work that you have done. They won’t replace your wit, style and high seriousness. We will miss you for all the English students who didn’t have the opportunity to study with George Connor.”