U of M unveils paintings of 3 of its presidents, including 1 who served more than 80 years ago
Portraits, from left, of current University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave and former presidents David Rudd and president Richard Jones are seen during an unveiling Oct. 27. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
The two women held their breath as the blue drapery was pulled off the painting of their grandfather at the University of Memphis on Tuesday evening.
When that drapery fell away, Teresa Stojan had an immediate reaction: “It’s him! It’s him!” She was talking about Richard Jones, the fourth president of what would become the University of Memphis. Jones served from 1939 to 1943, but unlike the other presidents in the school’s history, no official portrait of him was ever painted.
So when the granddaughters were asked to come to Memphis for a small ceremony Tuesday evening in the school’s administration building to unveil not only their grandfather’s portrait, but also ones of former U of M President David Rudd and current President Bill Hardgrave, they accepted.
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University of Memphis David Rudd Bill Hardgrave Jason Colbert Oil painting Subscriber OnlyThank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
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Jody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
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