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Page 15
Campus Review
May 19, 2014
that, “you think he’s a friend you’ve
known forever.”
While Hynes may not have known
Crafton forever, he has worked with him
on academic projects at various levels
since 1997. Thus, it’s not surprising that
Hynes’ tribute encompassed all of the
aspects of someone he labeled, “an
incredibly complex human being.” And
while Hynes acknowledged Crafton’s
complexity, he also said there were four
perpetual things that forever characterize
J. Micheal Crafton; forever academic, for-
ever amused, forever curious, and forever
human.
Included with tributes to Crafton’s
humanity and administrative work were
words of his academic prowess. Dr.
Antoinette Miller, in her own unique
style, opened the reception with a tribute
that included a series of Old English
phrases that are still in use, turning her
address into a pop quiz for the provost by
insisting that Crafton ring a bell every
time she uttered something with an Old
English background. (He didn’t miss a
single one.)
Fittingly, Dr. Barbara Goodman, chair of
the English Department, spoke for the fac-
ulty as a whole, noting that Crafton had
taught World, British and Medieval
Literature at Clayton State and noting that
Apr. 23 was, in fact, the 450th anniversary
of the birth of William Shakespeare.
“The generosity of spirit here at Clayton
State is profound; I cannot say enough
about it,” says Crafton. “There is some-
thing untranslatable about Clayton State
University. To forget you is to forget who
I am.”
“The foundation he has helped us estab-
lish here at Clayton State in academic
affairs guarantees nothing but success for
learning here in the future,” concludes
Hynes. “He’s left this institution better.”
with a Marine rifle company, Gant made
the transition from saving lives on the bat-
tlefront to helping others protect their
investments on the home front.
“When I became an insurance agent in
1974, a very wise senior agent gave me
the best advice; he told me, ‘If you take
care of your clients, they will take care of
you – if you don’t take care of them,
someone else will,’” says Gant. With a
goal of superb customer service strongly
embedded in his business ethics, Gant
began building a successful client base
that would eventually make him one of
Clayton County’s most honored and rec-
ognized businessmen.
As part of his commitment to the commu-
nity whom Gant says “has given me so
much,” Gant has served as Chairman of
the Clayton County Chamber of
Commerce, chaired the Pacesetters
Committee, was a member of the Military
Affairs Committee, and has served on the
Board of Trustees for the Clayton State
University Foundation since 1997.
“Being asked to be a trustee on the
Clayton State University Foundation was
and is one of the greatest honors I have
received,” says Gant. “I feel that as a
trustee, I can give back to the community
and make a positive impact on our
future.”
Clearly, serving others has always been a
high priority with Gant. When serving in
Vietnam in 1968, Gant fought in the Hue
City battle for which the USS battleship
Hue City – the first and only ship in the
United States Navy named for a battle in
the Vietnam War – was named. When the
ship was dedicated in 1991, Gant and his
fellow Marines who fought at Hue City
were named honorary crew members.
Gant thanks his wife, Vicky, for her sup-
port over the years and her contribution to
both the success of his career and his busi-
ness. Similarly, future generations of
Clayton State student veterans will be
thanking the Gants for their contributions
to making their dreams real.
Crafton, cont’d. from p. 3
Veterans, cont’d. from p. 7