By Tom Siebert
Judson University honored the heroism of Chariots of Fire protagonist Eric Liddell last night, launching a series of global events leading up to next year’s 100th anniversary of the Scottish sprinter’s record-breaking win in the 400-meter dash at the 1924 Olympic Games.
Kilt-clad bagpipers serenaded about 350 guests as they entered Herrick Chapel at the Elgin campus of the Christian college, which was hosting its internationally known World Leaders Forum.
“Eric Liddell was a great servant and brave humanitarian,” Sir James MacMillan told the audience of students, staff, Liddell family, elected officials, and members of the Chicagoland community.
“Long may his legacy continue into the future,” added the fellow Scotsman, a world-renowned composer who conducted a chorus and orchestra performing his hymn “Who Shall Separate Us?” at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London last September.
Liddell, whose story was told in the 1981 Academy Award-winning film Chariots of Fire, famously declined to participate in the 1924 Olympics’ 100-yard dash because the race was run on a Sunday, the Christian Sabbath.
The gold medalist went on to work in the North China mission fields from 1925 until 1943, when he was captured by invading Japanese forces during World War II and detained in an internment camp. There Liddell assisted the elderly and taught science and Bible classes to the younger detainees.
He died of exhaustion, malnourishment, and a brain tumor on February 21,1945, six months before the camp was liberated by the U.S. Army.
Also speaking in praise of Liddell was Lord Robert Smith, a native of Glasgow and prominent Scottish businessman. Lord Smith, former governor of the British Broadcasting Corporation, implored the college students to follow Liddell’s lead and choose service over celebrity.
“Find opportunities to volunteer and contribute to society,” he advised. “It will enrich your life.”
Co-hosts of this year’s event were ABC7 Chicago sports anchor Dionne Miller and Chicago Scots president Gus Noble, who inspired the audience with quotes from Abraham Lincoln, Scottish poet Robert Burns, and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan.
Near the end of the two-hour presentation, the World Leaders Forum announced its donation of $20,000 to the Eric Liddell Community, an Edinburgh care, charity, and community hub that helps the elderly who are struggling with depression, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
The forum also funds entrepreneurship, diversity programs, and RISE scholarships for developmentally challenged students at Judson.
Since its founding in 2011, Judson’s World Leaders Forum has featured former President George W. Bush; ex-Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice; former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev; ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair; former Mexican President Felipe Calderón; Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan; former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich; ex-Vermont Governor Howard Dean; and author, attorney, and diplomat Caroline Kennedy.
The forum also hosts an inspirational series whose past keynote speakers have been evangelist Nick Vujicic, Olympic gymnast champion Mary Lou Retton, magician Jim Munroe, Dallas Mavericks owner and Shark Tank host Mark Cuban, actor/entrepreneur Terrence Howard, and actor/activist Edward James Olmos.
Located in northwest suburban Elgin since 1963, the university has about 1,300 students and offers a Christian liberal arts and sciences education through its Bachelor of Arts degrees for more than 60 majors.
Judson president Gene Crume told the Tuesday night audience that he is often asked how a tiny school in the rustic Fox Valley of Illinois is able to attract such notable names to its World Leaders Forum.
“It’s because our mission is to shape lives that shape the world,” Dr. Crume asserted. “And there is no greater example of someone who did that than Eric Liddell.”
The event concluded as Crume presented honorary degrees to MacMillan and Smith, in addition to vintage Elgin watches, paying homage to the city’s one-time status as “watchmaker to the world.”
