GROVE CITY, Pa. – Grove City College will dedicate its new organ in honor of alumna Miriam (Shellito ’52) Parker on March 9 at the Pew Fine Arts Center on campus. The day-long ceremonies are free and open to the public. Registration is required.

The Miriam (Shellito’ 52) Parker Memorial Organ was donated by Royal Parker ’52 in memory of his wife. The tracker organ was built by Fritz Noack of Georgetown, Mass., and produces sound mechanically. Noack used a traditional method of organ building that has been practiced for more than a thousand years. The organ was installed in January.

The day’s program will include discussions with Noack and College Professor of Music and College Organist Dr. Richard Konzen, a reception and a recital by Konzen, which will be offered twice in the evening.

Royal and Miriam Parker, both graduates from the Class of 1952, shared a love for music of all kinds. They met at the College and sang in the choir together at East Main Presbyterian Church. Royal, a member of Nu Lambda Phi fraternity, and Miriam, a Gamma Chi sister, were both business students. During her years at the College, Miriam took organ lessons under College Organist Stanley Seiple, becoming an accomplished musician. Throughout her life, she served as an organist for several churches.

Royal Parker, originally from Oil City, Pa., currently lives in Princeton, N.J., and retired as financial professional with such firms as U.S. Steel Corporation, Peat Marwick Mitchell accounting firm, Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation and Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. Miriam Parker grew up in Grove City, and after graduating from the College, received her master’s degree from Pace University in New York City and went on to become a business teacher and legal administrator. The couple has three children, David, Cindy and Judy (Parker ’76) Zenowich.

Two years ago, Royal Parker was inspired to donate the organ in honor of his wife after reading an article from Grove City College’s alumni magazine, the GeDUNK, about alumnus J.R. Daniels ’88, who was involved in organ restoration in Pittsburgh.

The schedule of the March 9 ceremonies follows:

10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.   Conversation with Noack and Konzen
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.          Conversation continues with Noack and Konzen
6:30 p.m.                     Recital by Konzen
7:30 p.m.                     Light reception, Stauffer Lounge, Pew Fine Arts
                                    Center
8:30 p.m.                     Recital by Konzen (same program as 6:30)

Registration deadline is March 2. Call (866) 386-3422 or e-mail clroudybush@gcc.edu to reserve seats.