|
 Mark
C. Ebersole, former President of Elizabethtown College,
Elizabethtown, PA, died Saturday, February 12, 2011 at Landis
Homes in Lititz, PA. He was 89 years old. Born on November 3,
1921, in Hershey, PA, he was the son of the late Benjamin and Mary
Ebersole.
Surviving are his wife of 67 years, former Dorothy Baugher, his
sons, Philip B. Ebersole of Silver Spring, MD (husband of Samantha
Ebersole) and Stephen B. Ebersole of Solebury, PA (husband of
Christine Ebersole), and three grandsons Gregory, Bradley and
Michael Ebersole. Also surviving are siblings Esta Craighead,
Naomi Kruger, Ben Ebersole and he was predeceased by Luke Ebersole.
Mark Ebersole received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from
Elizabethtown College in 1943. After graduating, he attended
Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, PA and received a Master
of Divinity Degree. In 1946, he volunteered in the United Nations
Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and traveled to Italy to
assist in the rebuilding process caused by the destruction of the
war. Upon returning, Mark Ebersole earned a Master's Degree in
History at the University of Pennsylvania in 1948, and a Ph.D.
Degree in Religion from Columbia University in 1952. He was also
awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree by Elizabethtown College
in 1963.
His teaching career in higher education began at Bucknell
University, Lewisburg, PA, where over a sixteen year period, among
other positions, he chaired the Religion and Philosophy Department
and was appointed Vice President and Provost before leaving
Bucknell University in 1968. But it was in his capacity as a
teacher that Dr. Ebersole always believed he had the most impact
upon the lives of the students.
After four years with the Ford Foundation as a Program Advisor in
New York City, he returned to academia at Temple University in
Philadelphia, PA as the Dean of the Graduate School and Vice
President for Academic Affairs. In 1977, he was named President of
Elizabethtown College for the next eight years. From 1986 through
1997, he accepted interim leadership positions at Saint Joseph
College in Philadelphia, Mount Saint Mary's College in Emmitsburg,
MD, Linden Hall School of Lititz, PA, The Cambridge School in
Weston, MA, and Maryville College, Maryville, TN.
Mark Ebersole served on twenty Board of Trustees/Directorships,
including, Co-Leader with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for the
Religious Emphasis Program, Virginia Union University; Chairman,
Board of Trustees, Linden Hall School; Chairman, Evaluation Teams
for Middle States Association of Colleges and Universities;
Co-Chairman, Bright Side Opportunities Center Campaign; and The
Lancaster Historical Society.
He lived a very active, full life. He enjoyed golf, tennis, skiing
and in his younger years, ice hockey. He authored two books
"Christian Faith and Man's Religion" and "Hail to Thee, Okoboji
U! A Humor Anthology on Higher Education". Additionally, he wrote
several published newspaper and magazine articles on a variety of
subjects.
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life Service to
be held Saturday, February 26that 2pm at the Lancaster Church of
the Brethren, 1601 Sunset Ave., Lancaster, PA. Interment will be
private. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions in his memory
may be made to the Mark C. and Dorothy B. Ebersole Scholarship
Fund at Elizabethtown College, 1 Alpha Drive, Elizabethtown, PA
17022. To send online condolences, please visit:
SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home &
Crematory 717-560-5100 |
