Mr. & Mrs. Nelson D. Rodes, Jr.

Nelson D. Rodes, Jr.

Nelson graduated from Centre in 1954 with a degree in English and received an honorary degree from Centre in 1999. He is retired as president of Farmers National Bank in Danville and serves as chairman of the board for the Boyle County Public Library. Nelson joined the Centre Board of Trustees in 1980 and became a Life Trustee in 2006. In addition to his service on the Board, he has also been an admission match volunteer, a member of his reunion committee, a reunion party host, a committee member for the vice presidential debate, committee chair for the Front & Centre Campaign, and a committee member for the Campaign for A More Perfect Centre. Nelson also donated the game ball from the legendary win over Harvard in 1921.

The former Martha Butler is a member of the Centre Class of 1955. Martha has served as an admission match volunteer, a member of her reunion committee, and she has hosted numerous class reunions in her home.

The Rodes family has a long tradition at Centre, with five consecutive generations attending the school. Their daughter, Martha (Priss) Rodes Hovious, graduated from Centre in 1988. Their son and daughter-in-law, John and Julie Clemmens Rodes, both graduated in 1981, and their grandson, Nelson Rodes, graduated in 2008. Three of Nelson’s brothers also attended Centre: Clifton, Class of 1949; Robert, Class of 1951; and Joe, Class of 1953.