THE AMERICAN COLLEGE MOURNS

 December 15, 2011 - 1.30 pm

All the teaching and non-teaching staff members, former professors of The American College (fighting for the college freedom) assembled near the Flint House to mourn the death of three of the great friends who also served as members of the Board of Trustees of the College.

Dr. PR. Anbudurai, Principal-in-Charge and Secretary, addressed the gathering. He faithfully remebered all the help and concerns extended by the departed souls and mentioned that their loss is irreplaceable. He also read the obituary messages sent by Professor Richard P. Riesz, President, American College Endowment Trust and Rev. Dr. Sidney D.  Fowler, First Congregational United Church of Christ , USA. 

Former Professor and Head of the Physics Department of The American College, DR. V. Srinivasan shared his associations with Rev, Kelly, Dr. Eric Gass and particularly about his great friend Rev. Kelly.

On October 14, 2011 Rev. William A. Kelly passed away.

He was a UCBWM missionary for two terms as Chaplain of the American College in the 1950's and 1960's. He and his present wife visited the College a couple of years ago and were at that time enthusiastic about the Progress of the College. He was a colleague of  Professor Dr. Richard P. Riesz, (President, American College Endowment Trust) when we arrived in 1963 and we depended on him for a lot of things.

On December 6, 2011 Reverend Dr. Richard B. Griffis, United Church of Christ (UCC) pastor and former  national staff member,passed away in Washington, D.C. He served as a faithful and hard-working Secretary of the American College Endowment Trust till his death. He had visited the College a number of times, with great affection. His demise is an irreplaceable loss to us as well the American College Endowment Trust, USA.

On December 10, 2011 another of the Trustee member, Dr. Eric Gass passed away. He  had been a UCBWM missionary in India for many years, and was for some time the South Asia Secretary for the UCBWM.  He was ailing from cancer for which he had been under treatment for about 20 months. He always had deep concern and the well- being of American College. He visited our campus recently (in 2010).