RADFORD – Sixteen Radford University alumni recently purchased a plaque through the Covington Center Seat of Honor Campaign, permanently honoring the legacy of former RU director of bands Bennett Lentczner.

Lentczner, director of bands from 1981 to 1988, was revered by colleagues and students. He served as dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts from 1981 to 1988 and founded the Virginia Governor's School for the Arts. Lentczner was known for a strict regime of practice and the pride he took in his students.

“I’m really honored by the students’ gesture. It’s humbling to think of what I contributed to their lives,” Lentczner said, “Sometimes a teacher doesn’t really know what an impact they’ve had until many years later. What these students did was heartfelt, and I was warmed by their gift.”

Amy Matze Duncan ’75 sat on the student committee that interviewed candidates for the band director’s position at RU. Thirty-five years later, she still remembers the interview with Lentczner, including his recital performance and even specific answers to questions he was asked. Duncan says when she received a brochure for the seat-naming campaign, Lentczner immediately came to mind. She proposed the idea to 15 other alumni about coming together to purchase a plaque in his honor. One of those alumni was Robin Osborne ‘85.

Osborne’s memories of being under Lentczner’s tutelage reflect the respect Lentczner had for his students not only professionally but personally. Osborne recalls, “One Thanksgiving, the band was in Detroit and we had gone down for Thanksgiving dinner. They had the tables set with paper plates and plastic cutlery. I remember Dr. Lentczner telling the dining room staff that we were all away from our families and he would not have us eat Thanksgiving dinner off paper plates. He sent us all back to our rooms and when we came back to the dining room they had tablecloths, china and crystal. He always made sure we were taken care of.”

Alumni contributing to the purchase also include Carol Wheeler Doss ’79, Ellen Parlman ’78, Laurie Duquette ’78, Nelson Edwards ’78, Laurel McAfee ’77, Gerald Pope ’82, Scott Neprud ’80, Mike Peters ’83, Elizabeth Spoth ’78, Carlotta Moulder ’83, Pam Hermann ’84, Mary Beth St. John ’81, John Wilkerson ’77, and Gary Curtis ’78.

Giving opportunities through the seat-naming campaign are still available. To learn more, call Elizabeth Ton in the Office of University Advancement at (540) 831-6117, e-mail eton@radford.edu or visit the website at http://www.radford.edu/seatofhonor.