Tena Roberts ’60, beloved Wesleyan librarian for 41 years, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2020.
In her official capacities at Wesleyan, Tena supervised the moving of books from the original Rivoli campus library in the Candler Building to the new Willet Library, completed the transition from the Dewey Decimal System to the Library of Congress System, began the computerization process of the library, started an archival program, and brought Wesleyan’s media facilities into the twenty-first century.
In 1996, Tena became Wesleyan’s first archivist and served as the resident expert and final word on Wesleyan’s history. She wrote successful applications to have the campus named to the National Register of Historic Places and to have the Rivoli campus and original conservatory site named Historic Sites of the United Methodist Church.
Tena retired in June 2004 and was named Professor Emerita. In 2005, she was honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association.
Her unwavering devotion to Wesleyan College, her role in preserving Wesleyan’s history and traditions, and her time and talents to her alma mater will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 501 Bass Rd., Macon, GA, 31210. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. with a celebration service immediately following at 3 p.m.
The Green Knight Class of 1960 adopted a 60th reunion project for Alumnae Weekend 2020 to name the Librarians Suite on the second floor of the newly renovated Willet Library in honor of their classmate Tena. All classes are welcome to make donations to this special project by making a gift online at www.wesleyancollege.edu/give or by mailing a check to the Advancement Office at 4760 Forsyth Rd., Macon, GA 31210. Please indicate that your gift is to be used for the Class of 1960 project in honor of Tena Roberts.