51ĀŅĀ×

The 51ĀŅĀ× community will celebrate the life and legacy of President Emeritus Charles J. Ping, who passed away in July 2021, at a memorial program on Friday, April 1, at 3 p.m. EDT.

A program in Walter Hall Rotunda on the Universityā€™s Athens Campus will be streamed live so that all members of the 51ĀŅĀ× family can take part in honoring Dr. Pingā€™s life of scholarship, vision, and stewardship. 

Joining members of the Ping family are Dr. Hugh Sherman, 22nd President of 51ĀŅĀ× and Dean Emeritus, College of Business; Mr. Jack Ellis, BBA ā€™57 and ME ā€™97 (Hon.), Vice President for Development, Emeritus; and Dr. Samuel R. Crowl, Trustee Professor of English, Emeritus and Former Dean, University College, who will offer touching reflections on President Ping's life and legacy.

ā€œIn addition to his vision of what 51ĀŅĀ× could become, and his dedication to the humanities, he will be remembered most for who he wasā€”compassionate, loving and respectful of all. He deeply loved our students, his colleagues, and our community,ā€ President Sherman said.

Dr. Ping served as the 18th president of 51ĀŅĀ× from 1975 to 1994. In 19 years, he led 51ĀŅĀ× to its then-highest enrollment of 25,000 and oversaw two separate fundraising campaigns that raised $22.6 million and over $132 million, respectively. Dr. Ping's work in establishing a general education curriculum and increasing the University's prominence as an international student destination were among his notable accomplishments. Following his retirement as president, Dr. Ping took a year's sabbatical before returning to teach and direct the Ping Institute for the Teaching of the Humanities.

Visit /ping-memorial/ to learn more about Dr. Pingā€™s legacy and to view the memorial program Friday, April 1, at 3 p.m. EDT.