Centre College alumni establish Dr. C. Eric Mount Jr. Faculty Leadership Award

Centre College has announced the establishment of the Dr. C. Eric Mount Jr. Faculty Leadership Award, made possible through a $50,000 gift from alumni Robert L. and Jane H. Elliott, both members of the class of 1971.

The annual award will recognize a Centre faculty member for exceptional involvement and leadership on campus, in the Danville community and beyond. It honors the impact of beloved professor and administrator C. Eric Mount, who left an enduring mark on generations of Centre students before his retirement in 2002.

"When I found out they were creating an award in honor of me, I was floored,” Mount said. “The fact that they wanted to link me to that image of what it means to be a good citizen, as well as a good faculty member — that they had picked me to carry that title — I was overwhelmed."

Mount served as a professor of religion and ethics, college chaplain, tennis coach and dean of men during a distinguished career spanning several decades before his retirement in 2002. Beyond his classroom teaching, Mount was deeply involved in campus life during pivotal moments in Centre's history, including the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War era.

"This award honors the kind of faculty leadership that has always been at the heart of Centre's mission,” Centre President Milton C. Moreland said. “Eric Mount's commitment to his students, to this campus and to the larger community set a standard of engaged citizenship that continues to inspire us today. We are grateful to the Elliotts for ensuring that this legacy will be celebrated for years to come."

Mount helped bridge relationships between the College and Danville community and played a crucial role in making students of color feel welcome and valued on campus. A life member of the NAACP, Mount received the 1985 John E. Haycraft Award from the state NAACP for outstanding contributions to civil rights. He served as chair of the Boyle County Human Rights Commission and United Way, and volunteered with a host of community agencies, including serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children.

Along with his teaching, Mount organized a community ethics discussion group, first for area business leaders and later for other professions as well. It was held once a month for members of the Danville and Centre communities and lasted more than 20 years.

For the Elliotts, Mount wasn’t just a professor or coach; he changed their lives. He officiated their marriage in 1971, coached Robert on the tennis team and was there with support and guidance when they needed it most.

“There were numerous difference makers in our lives at Centre, but Eric Mount was a joint difference maker for both of us,” Robert Elliot said. “You can't pay back somebody who has made that kind of difference in your life."

"Eric has this aura of empathy, “Jane Elliot said. “He is a gentle soul who made a difference in people's lives in such a caring way."

The Elliotts want to emphasize that this award isn’t about competition — it’s a way to say thank you and recognize current faculty who, like Mount, go above and beyond for Centre and the community.

"Faculty members here have an innate gift to give, and that gift can extend beyond just the classroom into the community,” said Robert. “That's what Dr. Mount did, and that's what we hope this award will recognize."

During a celebration in January, Faculty Senate President Marie Petkus presented the Elliots with a resolution of gratitude for establishing this award at Centre. The resolution was unanimously passed by the faculty to honor the Elliots' devoted service to Centre College and its mission.

The first recipient of the Dr. C. Eric Mount Jr. Faculty Leadership Award will be selected by the faculty and presented at the end of this academic year in May. 

Now 88 and living in Louisville, Mount continues to embody the values the award celebrates, volunteering regularly with Kentucky Refugee Ministries.

"Eric continues to inspire us," said the Elliotts. "At 88, he's still serving others, still making a difference. That's the kind of leadership we hope this award will recognize and encourage in Centre faculty for generations to come."