A longtime Emory & Henry College employee commonly known as “Mr. Emory & Henry” died Monday at the age of 81.
A.L. “Al” Mitchell, a former E&H director of admissions and long-serving registrar, epitomized for many what was valuable about the small-college experience and the generous Christian spirit that serves as Emory & Henry’s foundation.
Alluding to Mitchell’s spirit and his expressions of love for all people, Dr. Dan Leidig, another beloved college employee who died in December, suggested that one could get a letter deliverd to Mitchell by simply addressing the envelope to “The Nicest Man in Emory.”
In addition to holding important staff positions, Mitchell also taught occasional courses in English until his retirement in 1992. He possessed a deep commitment to and concern for the welfare of all students.
A longtime sponsor of Beta Lambda Zeta fraternity, he served as a role model for any and a loyal friend to hundreds of young men who passed through the halls of the College. Known affectionately to generations of students and to his colleagues as “Mr. Emory & Henry,” Mitchell also was an avid fan of E&H athletics.
Mitchell, a 1946 E&H graduate, has been honored in numerous ways by the College. His honors include the Earnest E. And Elizabeth C. Maiden Award in 1990, The DeFriece Award in 1996 and the E&H alumni Association Distinctive Service to Emory & Henry Award in 1993. In 2005, the Alumni Association honored him by naming one of its awards for him, the A.L. Mitchell Young alumnus of the Year Award.
Funeral services are set for Wednesday, March 21, in Emory & Henry’s Memorial Chapel. Visitation begins at noon, and the funeral will follow at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the A.L. Mitchell scholarship fund at Emory & Henry (PO Box 950, Emory, VA 24327).
7 Comments
March 20, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Mr. Mitchell is the reason I attended Emory. I owe him so much; Susan Tickle, my wife, was an Emory girl, many of my friends that I still value and talk to continuously, are Emory friends and so many of my fond memories of growing up are Emory memories. Yes, I owe Mr. Mitchell a lot. His legacy will be that he touched so many lives in such a positive way
March 20, 2007 at 9:19 pm
A group of us gals (‘80 and ‘81) met last June for a girls’ weekend in Emory. We roamed the campus, stayed at the Alpine Motel, ate a picnic lunch in the cemetery, talked and reminisced into the night. But, for me, the most memorable event of our weekend was our visit with Mr. Mitchell at his home right across from the entrance to the college. He remembered each and every one of us, as he did most, if not ALL, of the E&H students, by name. He knew where people were living and what they were doing. He kept up with us. A couple of times since last summer, he and I corresponded by snail mail. Those will be cherished writings I received from him. He talked about his love for the students of Emory even then, and how much the homecomings meant to him.
God’s Peace be with you, Mr. Mitchell. What a blessing you were to those who crossed your path.
Emily Wooley Rhodes ‘81
Oklahoma City, OK
ewooleyrhodes@aol.com
March 21, 2007 at 12:56 pm
I am convinced that we have lost a leading citizen with Al Mitchell’s loss. I will never forget his warm smile and kindness. I saw him most often at the Emory Post Office. I assume he is in heaven now, and it’s a better place up there with him in it.
March 21, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Truly a wonderful man and responsible for many memories during my time at Emory. Mr. Mitchell attended almost evey one of my basketball games and he always had a hug and an encouraging word for the team, win or lose. I would honestly not be the man I am today without Mr. Mitchell’s presence in my life. I am only sorry that I didn’t have the opportunity to let him know how much he meant to me. We are missing an admirable human being, and I trust that a new face now has a place in heaven.
March 22, 2007 at 1:49 pm
After stuggling through my first year in college, and making the decision to change my major, I ended up under the wing of Mr. Mitchell. He helped me decide on a major that still serves me today. He also helped me get on the right track academically. This is what he did with everyone he encountered. As a member of BLZ , I could not have asked for a better sponser and friend than Mr. Mitchell. His love for me as a student and his big hug will missed the most.
March 23, 2007 at 8:33 pm
I’ve been lucky enough to have known Mr. Mitchell for as long as I can remember. He had a smile and a hug for me each time I saw him, and in my years away from Emory, a trip home just wasn’t complete until I saw his face in the King Center. He represented all that I cherish about E&H, and it is difficult to see these men of Emory go (Fred Selfe, Dave Thomas, and now Mr. Mitchell). He will be missed. Sting ‘em Waspers!
May 21, 2007 at 8:31 pm
I only had one real interaction with Al Mitchell. I doubled in Business and Communications and in the spring of my Sophomore year, I was picking my classes for the rest of my stay at Emory. I realized I couldn’t get everything in without an extra term. I went to Mr. Mitchell with my problem of too many classes and too few time slots. We tried every possible combination and finally he said, “Well, if you can get your department chair to waive this one required course, then you work everything in.”
I tracked her down in the Hut and explained my situation and pleaded for some help. In a huff, she wrote “Mark can skip Mass Comm. 254″ on a napkin, pretty much to get rid of me. I took the napkin to Mr. Mitchell. He smiled and said, “Looks good to me. That’s all I need.” He waived the required course and I was able to graduate on time.