McGovern Library DedicationO C T O B E R 2 0 0 6 WESLEYAN TODAY • 9

wt feature

The weekend of Oct. 5-7 was a flurry of activity, andaccording to one guest, “a whirlwind of excellence.”

Following nearly 10 years of fundraising and planning,the George and Eleanor McGovern Library andCenter for Leadership and Public Service wasdedicated in style with thousands of guests on hand forthe celebration. In attendance were alumni,McGovern family members, students, faculty, staff,lawmakers, community members, trustees and 1972McGovern supporters.

This edition of Wesleyan Today is your keepsake fromthe dedication. The next few pages include photos ofthe event as we saw it – from the nostalgic, stirringconcert by the legendary Peter, Paul & Mary, to thereminiscent documentary, “One Bright ShiningMoment: The Lost Summer of George McGovern.”

It was a historic weekend at DWU, one that will not beforgotten anytime soon by those who attended.

a whirlwind of excellenceC O L L E C T O R ’ S E D I T I O N

Keynote speaker formerPresident Bill Clintonbrought with him theneed for heightenedsecurity on campus.(Inset, right) A policeofficer watches overthe crowd from theroof of the library.

Photos byKaleidoscope Photography

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McGovern Library DedicationT H U R S D A Y

Oct. 5 • 7 p.m. • Corn Palace

Legends. Icons. Activists.All of these words have been used todescribe Peter, Paul & Mary, the folksinging trio who have been performingtogether for nearly 50 years. Theycame to the Corn Palace in Mitchell toperform for their friend GeorgeMcGovern. Their concert for a crowdof about 2,800 was the first event of theweekend of festivities surrounding thededication of the George and EleanorMcGovern Library and Center forLeadership and Public Service.

Singers Peter Yarrow, Noel “Paul”Stookey and Mary Travers provedthat, while their appearance haschanged a bit, their voices are stillpowerful. Audience members, rangingfrom 60-year-old former hippies to theirteenaged grandchildren, were visiblymoved as the group launched intoclassics like “Puff the Magic Dragon,”“Five Hundred Miles” and “WhereHave All the Flowers Gone.”

Peter, Paul & Mary

Sen. George McGovern introduces the singing trio.

Photos by Kaleidoscope Photography

Peter, Paul & Maryvisit with actor MikeFarrell and GeorgeMcGovern backstagebefore the concert.

WESLEYAN TODAY • 11McGovern Library DedicationF R I D A Y

Much like McGovern conferences of past years, thededication celebration included a day of inspiringspeakers and panelists. “Celebrating a Legacy of

Oct. 6 • 8 a.m. • Sherman Center

McGovern Conferencecelebrates

Leadershipand service

Leadership and Service”featured speeches byCatherine Bertini, formerexecutive director of theWorld Food Programme,and Jeffrey D. Sachs,director of the Earth Instituteat Columbia University andthe UN Millennium Project.

There were several paneldiscussions, including“Leadership and Service: AChoice for a NewGeneration,” which featuredthree people under age 40who have chosen to beinvolved in public service.The conference alsoincluded book discussionsand book signings, and twoof the sessions werebroadcast live on SouthDakota Public Radio.

Morededication

photos?www.mcgoverncenter.org

Public ServantsLeadership and Service: A Choice for aNew Generation panelists include DustyJohnson, S.D. Public UtilitiesCommissioner; Paula Larson ’02,environmental specialist; Cooper Garnos’91, S.D. state legislator; and DonaldSimmons, director of the McGovernCenter for Leadership and Public Service.

Jeffrey D. Sachs

Tom Haskell and Catherine Bertini

Photos by University Relations

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McGovern Library DedicationF R I D A Y

Special guests and donors to theMcGovern Library project gatheredin the library for a gala receptionand the grand opening of theMcGovern Legacy Museum.

This beautiful interactive museumbrings to life the legacy of Georgeand Eleanor McGovern, from theirhumble upbringing in rural SouthDakota through the challenges ofWorld War II and their work torevitalize South Dakota’sDemocratic Party. Other exhibitsfeature George McGovern’s 1972presidential campaign and histireless work to eradicate worldhunger. Throughout the museumthere are video displays that tell theMcGoverns’ story through shortfilms narrated by GeorgeMcGovern.

The museum was designed bySplitrock Studios, St. Paul, Minn.

Oct. 6 • 6 p.m. • Sherman Center

Contributors’Dinner

recognizesdonors

Mary and Wayne Puetz with Sen. Tom Daschle

Puetz Corporation served as the general contractor for theMcGovern Library project.

DWU Board ofTrustees ChairmanRoger Musick

George McGovern; Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today; and SanderVanocur, veteran oftelevision news

Faculty members Dr. JeanieO’Laughlin and Dr. Rocky VonEye pause for a photo before theirvolunteer duty as dinner servers.

Photos by University Relations

Photo by Kaleidoscope Photography

WESLEYAN TODAY • 13McGovern Library DedicationF R I D A Y

Following the reception, guests movedto the Sherman Center for a banquetfeaturing former Sen. Bob Dole. Dolereceived the first McGovern Award forLeadership and Service and gave theevening’s keynote address. He receiveda bust of McGovern created by SouthDakota sculptor Dale Lamphere.

Bob Dolereceives

McGovernAward

at donor banquet

Members of the McGovern Library National Steering Committee wererecognized, as were members of the DWU Preparing the Way Campaign.Volunteers received prints of the official painting of the library by SouthDakota artist Jon Crane.

Photos by University Relations

Members of the McGovern Library National Steering Committee who were present (leftto right): V. Hale Starr ’67, Al Neuharth, Marshall Matz, Tom Daschle, CatherineBertini, Jack Billion, DWU President Bob Duffett, Morris Dees, Chris Dorval andJeff Smith.

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McGovern Library DedicationS A T U R D A Y

With an enormous American flag whippingin the South Dakota wind as a backdrop,

the official dedication ceremony for theMcGovern Library began.

At no other time in the university’shistory has such a distinguishedgroup gathered on the campus lawn.In addition to George McGovernand former President Bill Clinton,speakers included Bishop DeborahLieder Kiesey; DWU BoardChairman Roger Musick; Preparing

the Way Campaign Chairman JackBillion; DWU President Bob Duffett;

USA Today founder Al Neuharth;former Sen. Tom Daschle; South

Dakota’s current congressionaldelegation, Rep. Stephanie Herseth,

Sen. John Thune and Sen. TimJohnson; and South DakotaGovernor Mike Rounds. Themaster of ceremonies waslongtime friend of theMcGoverns, TV newspersonality Sander Vanocur.

Oct. 7 • 11 a.m. • DWU Campus

The Dedication

If you would like to order souvenirs from theMcGovern Library Dedication, go towww.mcgoverncenter.org and click on“McGovern Merchandise” to view the selection.

Kory VanSickle of Kory andthe Fireflies performs a freeconcert following the ceremony.

Photos by Kaleidoscope Photography and Inertia

Former President Bill Clinton addressesthe crowd of more than 4,000 people.

WESLEYAN TODAY • 15McGovern Library DedicationS A T U R D A Y

Due to failing health,Eleanor McGovernwas unable to attendany of the weekend’sfestivities, which madeVanocur’s introductionof a flyover by a B-1Bomber from EllsworthAir Force Base, all themore poignant.

“In 2004 Ellsworth named this B-1 ‘Dakota Queen,’” hesaid, “to memorialize the first Dakota Queen, flown incombat by Sen. McGovern in World War II. Sen.McGovern called his B-24 ‘Dakota Queen’ in honor ofhis young wife, Eleanor.”

The day’s comments by all the speakers weredecidedly apolitical, focusing not on what divides theaisles, but what the left and the right have in common.Several speakers talked about and quoted JohnWesley, in addition to sharing memories of Georgeand Eleanor McGovern, and honoring them for theirlives of service and leadership.

SenatorTom Daschle

Jack BillionChairman, DWU

Preparing the WayCampaign

Al NeuharthFounder of USAToday and TheFreedom Forum

RepresentativeStephanie Herseth

SenatorJohn Thune

SenatorTim Johnson

Michael RoundsGovernor ofSouth Dakota

Robert DuffettPresident, Dakota

Wesleyan University

speakersdedication

Photos by Kaleidoscope Photography and Inertia

Sander Vanocur, televisionnews personality and longtimefriend of the McGoverns,served as Master ofCeremonies for the dedication.

Faculty member Nancy Sonne of the DWUDepartment of Nursing joins in singing theNational Anthem, played by the 147th Army BandBrass Quintet.

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