The Tower Spring 2021 - 15

News from the Thaddeus Stevens Society
Ross Hetrick, President

W

hile students and alumni
of Stevens College are well
aware of the great contributions of
Thaddeus Stevens, they may not
be aware that there is a fan club
that promotes his legacy across
Pennsylvania and the nation.
The Thaddeus Stevens Society was
started in April 1999 in Gettysburg,
PA, where Stevens lived before
moving to Lancaster in 1842.
The Society has grown from a
dozen people to more than 200
members across the country with
a half a dozen in foreign countries.
And almost from the beginning,
Stevens College has been a faithful
supporter.
The Society holds meetings twice
a year -- the spring meeting in
Lancaster and the fall meeting in
Gettysburg. One of our first trips
was to Stevens College in January
2000 where we found the spirit
of Stevens alive and well. The
College's president at that time,
Bill Griscom, told the Society
that he would help us in any way
it could.
Since then there have been a
number of accomplishments
that have helped to promote
Stevens' name. One of the greatest

achievements was the erection
of the first Stevens statue, which
was unveiled at Stevens College in
2008. The Society is proud to have
assisted by making a contribution,
participating in writing the bronze
plaques that surround the statue,
and helping to make the audio
tape in the narrative box
The College and the Society have
worked on a variety of efforts
including the annual graveside
event to mark Stevens's birthday
in April and the screening of
Stevens videos and seminars.
Next year will be particularly
momentous since it will
mark the celebration of the
Great Commoner's 230th
birthday on April 1, 2 and 3,
2022. There will be banquets,
seminars, tours and most
importantly, the dedication of
the second Thaddeus Stevens
statue in Gettysburg. 
Interestingly, part of the money
for the statue comes from the
endowment of the Thaddeus
Stevens Alumni Association, which
originally came from the bequest
from Stevens himself to establish
the school. So Stevens himself
will be helping make the statue
possible. Thanks Thad.

If you would like to know
more about the Thaddeus
Stevens Society or to join, go to
www.thaddeusstevenssociety.com

MFWT Graduate Appreciation Lunch
Metals Fabrication & Welding Technology
Student Appreciation Luncheon

W

ith the extra challenges experienced by both students and
faculty over the past year due to COVID, the Metals Fabrication
& Welding Technology faculty decided to hold a special appreciation
luncheon for the Class of 2021. On the last day of hands-on classes
for the sophomores, John Wright Restaurant's Jim Switzenberg and
Blake Hallett set up a delicious southern-style barbecue, complete
with smoked brisket and pulled pork, in the MFWT Flex room.
Frank and Sharon Greiner, benefactors of the Greiner Advanced
Manufacturing Center, attended and had some inspiring words for the
students as they prepare to launch into their futures. As a parting
event, instructor Steve Hower received surprise recognition by both
his students and colleagues as he retires at the end of the semester.
Spring 2021  15
http://www.thaddeusstevenssociety.com
The Tower Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Tower Spring 2021
