NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) paid tribute to the legacy left by George and Cora Leavell and their descendants Jan. 28 with the dedication of Leavell College, formerly known as the College of Undergraduate Studies.
Eight of the Leavells’ nine sons went on to serve in some type of vocational Christian ministry. These eight men participated in almost every imaginable ministry in the Southern Baptist Convention, and many were innovators in their areas of service.
“As we thought about the mission of our college of undergraduate studies, our trustees made the determination that they wanted the college to be renamed Leavell College in honor of this wonderful family,” said Chuck Kelley, NOBTS president. “The [Leavell] boys became a tremendous force in the kingdom of God. They literally gave shape to the Southern Baptist Convention in the early and middle years of the 20th century.”
In addition to the college dedication, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of a museum containing memorabilia from the family. The museum, once housed in the seminary’s chapel, was moved to the Hardin Student Center nearer the Leavell College classrooms.
NOBTS President Emeritus Landrum P. Leavell II, George and Cora’s grandson, was on hand for the event along with approximately 30 other Leavell descendants. The former president’s 20-year tenure is indicative of the ongoing legacy of the Leavell family.
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