Mercer’s Chancellor R. Kirby Godsey Honors Wife With An All-Steinway School
As seen in the Winter 2015 edition of the Steinway Chronicle.
They crossed paths at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary more than half a century ago, beginning a strong and enduring relationship along a storybook tour of colleges and houses of worship across the South.
Born in Hattiesburg, Miss., Joan Stockstill started piano at age 7, a skill that would serve her well in lifelong ministry to the church. Receiving a bachelor’s degree in Music from Mississippi College, she moved to New Orleans to pursue master degrees in Church Music and Religious Education, eventually becoming a teacher in the School of Music. Meanwhile, R. Kirby Godsey just left Samford University with a bachelor’s degree in History and Religion, attending the Seminary to complete his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Theology degrees.
The couple married in 1959 and then in 1962 moved to Marion, Ala. During the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Godsey served as a professor at Judson College and Joan helped launch a Head Start program to serve underprivileged children.
Having three children and one yet to be born, they would return to New Orleans. Dr. Godsey continued his studies at Tulane University, receiving a Ph.D. in Philosophy while Joan played the organ at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church. After another stop at Averett College in Danville, Va., the road ultimately led to Macon.
In 1979, Dr. Godsey became the 17th President of Mercer University. Under his unprecedented 27-year tenure, the institution grew with the addition of seven colleges and schools, including the Townsend School of Music. Joan became organist-choir master at Northminster Presbyterian Church and later at First Baptist Church, where she was ordained as a deacon. In 2005, Joan was honored as Distinguished Churchwoman of the Year by the Baptist Women in Ministry of Georgia.
Becoming Chancellor in 2006, Dr. Godsey looked for the best way to express his respect and devotion to Joan, who, for him was an extraordinary woman. So quietly, he gifted $1.5 million to purchase nearly 40 new Steinway pianos, establish an endowment for future maintenance and create the Joan S. Godsey Center for Keyboard Studies at All-Steinway Mercer University.
The news came as a complete surprise to Joan, admittedly astounded when Mercer President William Underwood made the announcement during a board meeting.
"When Dr. Godsey announced his intention to fund this project. I was extremely grateful, appreciative and humbled," said Dean C. David Keith of the Townsend School. "He exhibits confidence in our commitment to excellence and desires us to have the best instruments available for our students and faculty. As an All-Steinway School, we now have the finest keyboards to complement our outstanding music facilities."
An anonymous donor provided the initial All-Steinway gift in 2011, when then-Dean John Dickson and Distinguished Soloist Elizabeth Pridgen went to New York to select the instrument that is now Mercer’s primary concert piano. Dr. Dickson first approached Dr. Godsey with the idea of recognizing Mrs. Godsey through the gift of music. After accepting another position at a school in Louisiana, he passed the torch to Dr. Keith.
Dr. Keith worked closely with Ike Van Meter of Steinway Piano Galleries of Alpharetta-Atlanta, who provided an inventory analysis and refined a list of models to best fit Mercer’s needs. With the belief that pianos are the backbone of all performing arts, Dr. Keith said, "In the classrooms, rehearsal spaces and practice rooms, the keyboard aids the student in developing a deeper understanding of music. It is the foundation in every musical discipline." Dr. Keith said.
Dr. Godsey said, "We are pleased to see the progress within The Townsend School of Music. This gift enabled us both to undergird and enhance the future of the School and to honor Joan, an outstanding musician who was my partner in the leadership of the University."
In September, the Joan S. Godsey Center for Keyboard Studies hosted the first in a planned series of concerts with a beautiful and deeply moving performance by Steinway Artist Orion Weiss.
