Pierce & Amelia Harrington Lively

Pierce Lively

Amelia Lively

Pierce Lively graduated from Centre in 1943 with degrees in history and English and earned his LLB degree from the University of Virginia in 1948. Following graduation and his admission to the Kentucky Bar, he served as law clerk to Judge Shackelford Miller, Jr., then judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth District. From 1949 to 1972, Judge Lively practiced law privately in Danville, specializing in litigation, taxation, and business counseling. In 1972, Judge Lively was appointed by President Richard Nixon to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, becoming the first person to serve as both a law clerk and judge for the entity. He was named Chief Judge for the Sixth Circuit in 1983 and served in that capacity until 1988. Judge Lively continued to serve on the court until January 1989, at which time he returned to Centre to teach.

Judge Lively was named to the Centre Board of Trustees in 1951 and became a Life Trustee in 1988. He received the Isaac Shelby Medallion in 1997, which recognizes persons who exemplify the ideals of service to Centre College and devotion to the public good that were embraced by Isaac Shelby. He was also honored with an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from Centre in 1988. Judge Lively served as the honorary co-chair for the Campaign for A More Perfect Centre.

Amelia Harrington Lively graduated from Centre in 1945 with a degree in chemistry. An active alumna, Mrs. Lively participated on her reunion committee, hosted reunion parties, volunteered as a class agent, and served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. The Amelia Harrington Lively Scholarship, established by Pierce Lively in her memory after her passing in 2000, is awarded so as to provide encouragement and assistance to promising chemistry students, with a preference for students with demonstrated financial need.

All three of the Lively’s children attended Centre: Susan Lively, Class of 1972; Katherine Lively, Class of 1975; and Thad Lively, Class of 1977.