Called “the conscience of the University” by Wittenberg President Baird Tipson, Richard P. “Dick” Veler '58 influenced hundreds of students during his 35-year career at his alma mater. A beloved professor of English, department chair, Mark Twain scholar, editor, and long-time senior administrator, Dr. Veler earned multiple awards, including Wittenberg’s top faculty prize, the Alumni Association Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1977, and the Wittenberg Medal of Honor in 2010.
In presenting the latter award to her colleague, fellow Wittenberg Professor of English Robin Inboden shared that Dr. Veler taught hundreds "to love literature" and that he had an "ardent devotion to a life fully lived and not measured, as T.S. Eliot would say, in 'coffee spoons.'" In her words, "he achieved the elusive wholeness of person" and "modeled a faith in students that continues to guide and sustain" his colleagues and friends alike.
This endowed chair in English was created by gifts from members of the Class of 1958, and the friends, students, and colleagues of Dr. Veler. Today, we have only $100,000 left to raise toward our $1.5M goal, in honor of this beloved man. Your gift on #Commit2Witt will help us close the gap and allow Dr. Veler's legacy to fuel future teaching excellence at the University he loved.
