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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (May 13, 2013) — Milligan College presented its Fide et Amore award to Dr. Richard Lura for his loving and faithful service to the college.
The Fide et Amore award, Milligan’s highest acknowledgement of service, was announced and presented at the May commencement ceremonies held May 10 and 11, in the Mary B. Martin Auditorium in Seeger Memorial Chapel. During the ceremonies, Milligan also awarded a total of 219 degrees.
Lura joined Milligan’s faculty in 1971. He serves as professor of chemistry.
Dr. Diane Junker, chair of Milligan’s area of scientific learning, presented the award to Lura.
“Dr. Lura has dedicated his professional career to challenging students to master rigorous subjects at Milligan with both faith and love,” Junker said. “He is a major facet in the ties that bind our science alumni to the college and has been central to the life of Milligan.”
Junker noted that Lura’s contributions during his 43-year association with Milligan have inspired his colleagues and students.
In 2000, Lura oversaw renovations to add a gross anatomy lab to Milligan’s Science Building. He also serves as the college’s chemical safety officer, helping oversee the set-up of EPA-compliant waste collection sites on campus.
Alongside colleague Dr. Gary Wallace, professor emeritus of biology, Lura has led hundreds of students on pelagic trips and Milligan’s May biology trips. These trips provide hands-on learning opportunities for students interested in many fields of science.
In addition, Lura has cultivated his personal interest and expertise in ornithology (birds) through his more than 20-year affiliation with the Lee and Lois Herndon Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society.
Lura served as Milligan’s science area chair for 12 years and has chaired the tenure and promotion committee for several years, leading efforts to ensure thoughtful deliberation is given to each portfolio reviewed by the committee.
Lura attends Watauga Avenue Presbyterian Church, where he has served several terms as an elder. In the community, he has assisted as librarian for the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra and acted in plays at the Johnson City Community Theatre, as well as at Milligan.
In 2001, he was invited to join the admissions committee at East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine.
“I am well aware of the service and mentorship Dr. Lura has provided Milligan and a host of its students through the Milligan alumni we have had in our medical school,” said Doug Taylor, assistant dean of admissions and records at Quillen College of Medicine. “His word and comments are well respected by all as an accurate and insightful evaluator of those seeking admission to professional school.
“I commend our colleagues at Milligan for their wisdom in honoring this servant of your school, our school and, most of all, the students he teaches, advises and mentors.”
Milligan President Dr. Bill Greer highlights Lura’s contributions that influence students’ lives far beyond their time in the classroom.
“We’re proud of the impact Dr. Lura has upon our students and, in turn, the impact they have upon the world,” Greer said. “He is committed to excellence in all things and carefully prepares his students for medical school, other graduate programs, as well as professional careers.”
To learn more about Milligan, visit www.milligan.edu.