[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Pages 4236-4237]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO A GREAT TEACHER--DR. GORDON T. CHAPPELL

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, there are persons of great importance in 
the lives of each of us. Outside our families, it is often teachers 
that have played key roles in our lives. One teacher of mine, Dr. 
Gordon T. Chappell was such a person. He awakened in his students a 
great love of history. He taught the importance of rigorous thought, 
and helped us understand our heritage. On February 6, 2002, Dr. 
Chappell passed away.
  His death was a cause for sadness for the thousands who were his 
students at our alma mater, Huntingdon College. Although he had lived a 
rich, active and happy life, the recent years had not been easy. A year 
ago, Dr. Chappell was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Winn 
Chappell. The two of them lived in a modest home on the campus, and 
frequently invited students over for tea, discussion or work. Mrs. 
Chappell was a magnificent teacher in her own right, and was loved by 
her students as much as any teacher who ever served at Huntingdon. I 
took her British Literature course and it was a rich experience, 
indeed.
  There can be little doubt that I would not be in the Senate today but 
for the inspiration of Dr. Chappell. In those days, the mid '60s, all 
freshman students were required to take Western Civilization. Dr. 
Chappell, though head of the History Department, always taught one 
freshman class and he hand picked his students. I was by chance, or 
perhaps as a result of having a historical sounding name, selected for 
the challenge and adventure that was his class. It was taught in the 
basement of the oldest building on campus, Flowers Hall. Ever since 
that experience, I have deeply understood that a great teacher in a 
poor room is far to be preferred to a lesser teacher in a room with the 
best of everything. With his small moustache, he was constantly thought 
to be the very image of Clark Gable playing Rhett Butler.
  Dr. Chappell, first and foremost, knew his subject. Attaining his 
doctorate in history at Vanderbilt during some of that department's 
glory days, he was exceedingly well trained. Without, I am sure, one 
course in ``how to teach'', Dr. Chappell dominated his class, commanded 
respect, and imparted knowledge to students in an exceptional but not 
flamboyant way. This was primarily because he was prepared in subject 
matter and because he had great wisdom. He lectured, asked questions 
periodically, and insisted on attention and on timeliness. This was not 
a class that endeavored to teach self-esteem by being easy. His 
students developed self-esteem as a result of mastery of difficult 
subjects.
  In addition to the substantial textbook, each student was required to 
read an additional five significant books each semester. The good news 
was that book reports were not required. The bad news was that upon 
completion of the book, the student was required to get an appointment 
with Dr. Chappell, in his basement office, laden with books and 
memorabilia, to discuss the reading. Make no mistake, everyone knew he 
could tell instantly whether the student had read the book. He was held 
in such respect that no one made the appointment without trepidation. 
Many could not sleep for days in advance. It was a brilliant way for 
him to teach and to know his students.
  As a result of this exceptional teaching, I became a history major. 
Being a history major opened a broad world to me, a world that was 
exciting and inspiring. It allowed an already existing interest in 
government and politics to grow.
  Dr. Chappell's freshman class, his upper level courses, and his 
friendship and advice over the years have played an important role in 
my life and career. For thousands of his respectful students, his 
teaching was equally formative. Small liberal arts colleges, like 
Huntingdon, with an emphasis on classical learning, respect for faith 
and philosophy, liberal in concepts and disciplines, and with love of 
country and region, have shaped for the better the lives of millions. 
The death of Dr. Chappell not long after the death of Mrs. Chappell, 
drives that fact home to me in a forceful way. Their lives, committed 
to faith, humanity and learning

[[Page 4237]]

bloomed like beautiful flowers and enriched the lives of many young 
people.
  As United Methodist minister, Dr. Charles C. Hays, Jr., a Huntingdon 
history major who was also a student and long time friend of Dr. 
Chappell, stated in his eulogy:

       He was an architect of the psyche who, through the medium 
     of history, shaped and molded the lives of countless hundreds 
     of students.

  Indeed he did. Though we have been sad, we should all remember that, 
at best, our lives are short--``like a vapor'', the scripture says. Dr. 
Chappell's life, along with his beloved partner, Winn, was rich, full 
and long. He spent it doing what he loved and wonderfully enriched the 
lives of all he touched. What more can one ask.
  He is survived by two exceptional children, Rick and Wendy. May God's 
comfort and blessing be with them at this sad time. Let us, out of this 
sadness, lift our heads and celebrate Dr. Chappell's beautiful life so 
well lived.

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