Dr. Leslie Hart Fordham was a valued member of the Emmanuel Agriculture Department until her passing in June of 2022. She was a shining light in her classroom and shared her love of agriculture and her Christian faith with Emmanuel students for five years. She was a champion of learning through doing and used her connections within the agriculture community to provide experiences for students to learn and grow.
Because of her example of Christian love, she impacted the lives of countless students during her time at Emmanuel.
“Dr. Fordham’s love for God radiated off her and had a way of inspiring everyone around her, including her students,” said Emmanuel Agriculture alumna, Grayson Richardson. “I will never forget how Dr. Fordham always empowered me to do more than I thought I was capable of. Whether we were working cattle or in the classroom, Dr. Fordham saw her students’ potential and believed in each of us. She taught us to trust in the Lord first and to find our strength in Him, and with God, we could do exceeding and abundantly more. She continues to inspire me every day as I strive to love the Lord as she did.”
A graduate of the University of Georgia Veterinary School, Dr. Fordham led a life of service to agriculture and her community. She was an active member of the Georgia and National Cattlemen’s Association and Georgia Veterinary Association. Leslie was a state officer and director for the Outdoor Dream Foundation. She also served as the Chairman of the Sacred Heart Medical Board and the Medlink Georgia Board.
Dr. Fordham’s family held on to the traditions of American agriculture and still operates Covenant Cattle Company which is a fifth-generation farm. The family markets cattle in graded and group sales along with selling naturally-fed beef from the farm.
A friend of Dr. Fordham and Emmanuel College has donated to establish an Endowed scholarship in her honor. The Emmanuel Agriculture Department would like to match this donation so more funds can be made to help students meet their financial obligations for college.
If you feel led to contribute, you can mail a check to Emmanuel College – PO Box 129 Franklin Springs, Ga. 30639 and write “Dr. Leslie Fordham Endowed Scholarship for Agriculture” in the memo or give online at https://myec.ec.edu/ecart/?payee=donor.
Original source can be found here.
