Friends of ACU Library hosted their annual luncheon on Mon., Sept. 16 in the Barry and Diane Packer Forum with a dedication of the Davis – Tucker Conference Room and Friend of the Year presentation.

Dr. John B. Weaver, Dean of Educational Technology and Library Services,  honored Dr. Donald Davis, Professor Emeritus of library history at UT Austin, longtime editor of  the journal, Libraries and Culture, and committed friend and donor to the Brown Library.  Weaver shared, “Dr. Davis is a close colleague to three generations of library deans at ACU, but it was with former library dean Dr. Mark Tucker and his wife Barbara that Don and his wife Avis enjoyed a most special relationship”.  The Tuckers and Dr. Davis agreed earlier this year to fund the construction of a large conference room in the Library Packer Forum. The gorgeous space overlooking the center of campus is now named the “Davis – Tucker Conference Room.” 

Mark and Barbara Tucker could not be at the dedication, but sent these words to share, “Our hearts are filled with gratitude and praise to have partnered with Don and Avis Davis and John Weaver on the Davis-Tucker Conference Room.  In our eight years in Abilene, we were encouraged and inspired every day by the faculty and staff of the ACU Library. Their thoughtful, collaborative work with our professors and their devotion to the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth of our students testify to their commitment to the highest ideals of Christian higher education.  In the words of Royce Money, they engage in Kingdom business, and it is a joy to honor their faithful labor and sacrifice.”  

Dr. Douglas Foster, University Scholar in Residence, introduced and presented this year’s Friend of the Year award to Dr. Lynn Anderson (’90 D.Min.).  Foster thanked Anderson for entrusting the Lynn Anderson Collection to ACU, and for inspiring generations of scholars through teaching, writing, preaching, and mentoring. 

Dr. Anderson’s friends and family shared many stories of Dr. Anderson’s lifetime of service to the kingdom. Dr. Weaver explained that historical archives like the Lynn Anderson collection is a collection of documents and other primary sources created by a person and selected for long-term preservation as evidence of their activities.  Weaver shared, “Archives tell stories, like those we’ve heard today. They increase our sense of identity and our understanding of cultures and history and God’s mission in the world.”

Left photo: Wes and Michele English, Jon and Joanna Gomez Anderson , Debbie and Randy Boggs, Lynn and Carolyn Anderson

Middle photo: 2006, Don Davis honored as FACUL Friend of the Year.  Pictured here are Don and Avis Davis with Mark and Barbara Tucker, Photographer – Debbie Riggs

Right photo:  Dr. Douglas Foster, Lynn and Carolyn Anderson, Dr. John B. Weaver