One of this year’s Alumni Medallion recipients is near and dear to our hearts at Swem Library: Bruce Christian ’73, former vice-chair of Swem's Board of Directors. He was honored at a special ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 9, along with fellow recipients Nancy Wommell Mathews ’76 and Donald Owens ’65. The Alumni Medallion is the highest and most prestigious award the Alumni Association can bestow on a graduate of William & Mary.
“I’m deeply appreciative and humbled by this recognition,” Christian said. “William & Mary is, and always will be, a place where great things happen. I am blessed to play a very, very small role in its story.”
Christian received his B.A. from William & Mary in Latin American studies in 1973 and completed graduate work at Tulane University. He was the first in his family to attend William & Mary, and the College’s first Latin American studies major.
Education is a key passion for Christian. He created the Christian-Ewell scholarship for study in Latin America in honor of his favorite professor, Judy Ewell. He and his wife, Spas, actively support scholarships, Swem Library and the Fund for William & Mary, among other interests. He serves on the W&M Strategic Planning Committee as well as the Grand Challenge One subcommittee and as a trustee and secretary of the W&M Foundation Board.
“Bruce is a true friend and advocate for Swem Library. He is passionate about education and supporting undergraduate research, and dedicates tremendous time and talent to every endeavor he undertakes on behalf of the College,” said Dean of University Libraries Carrie Cooper.
It’s the little things that make Christian special: often driving from his home in Lynchburg, Va., to Williamsburg several times per month for meetings, finding time to attend a fellow alumnus’s book reading, visiting with undergraduate student volunteers or stopping by campus just to check in.
“Bruce often stops in to visit Swem – as he often says, ‘I just love this place!’ And this place certainly loves him! So much so, that we cannot think of a more deserving member of the William & Mary community to receive this honor,” said Karlene Jennings, senior director of development for Swem Library.
Philanthropy is another passion of Christian’s. The list of his philanthropy and service is extensive. He is the former president of the Central Virginia Chapter of the Virginia Society for Human Resources Management. He was president of American Wholesale Ltd., vice chairman of the Virginia College Fund and a board member for the Employee Assistance Program of Central Virginia, Lumen Christi Institute at the University of Chicago, Interfaith Outreach Association, Lynch’s Landing Advisory Board, First Presbyterian Weekday School and the Tulane Parents Council. The Virginia Piedmont Chapter recognized Christian as Philanthropist of the Year in 2004.
Christian works to continue the mission of his family’s privately held company, N.B. Handy — one of the leading wholesale distributors of commercial roofing, HVAC and sheet metal. The company was awarded the 2011 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education. Christian serves as the volunteer executive director at the Old City Cemetery and Arboretum of Lynchburg — a testament to the philanthropic legacy of his family; as it was his sixth great uncle, John Lynch, who donated the original acres so that the cemetery could be established in 1806.
“When Bruce commits to a cause, organization or project, one can count on a fully engaged participant,” said Sophie Lee ’90, former Swem board member. “He prefers to go about his business in the background with little fanfare but there are times when an individual should be lauded in a very public way for their unwavering faith and steadfast friendship.”