Tennessee Wesleyan College

Leonard Lomell & Bill Selden

Class year: 1941

Background: A native of Toms River, N.J.; Leonard G. Lomell was the first sergeant of Company D of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, U.S. Army, acting as a platoon leader of the 2nd platoon in World War II. Late author and historian, Professor Stephen Ambrose stated, "If you want to pick out an individual other than General Eisenhower, more than any other individual that made D-Day a success, it would be Sgt. Len Lomell, Co. D 2nd Ranger Battalion, U.S. Army."

Lomell is the ranger who personally found and destroyed the five big coastal guns of Pointe Du Hoc, Normandy, France. For his action, Lomell has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. government's second highest medal, and the Silver Star, for extraordinary heroism in combat. He received numerous other medals for his courage in action and meritorious service, including the Bronze Star and medals from the British and French governments. He and his platoon have been the subject of many interviews and news articles related to World War II. Lomell's story was also included in Tom Brokaw's book The Greatest Generation.

Outside of the military, Lomell organized and became the first director of the Ocean County Veteran's Service Bureau in 1946. He headed the bureau until 1948 when he resigned to study law under the GI Bill of Rights.

He practiced law in Toms River, N.J., from 1951 when he was admitted to the New Jersey Bar until 1985 when he retired as the founder and senior member of the law firm of Lomell, Muccifori, Adler, Ravaschiere & Amabile. He remains as "of counsel" with the firm, which he started in 1957. The firm is now known as the Lomell Law Firm.

Fun Fact:The late author and historian, Professor Stephen Ambrose, wrote of Lenonard Lomell and his accomplishments during World War II.

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Class year: 1941

Major: Accounting

Background: A native of Athens, Tenn.; Bill Selden is a member of Tennessee Wesleyan College's prestigious Athenian Society –established in 1990 and named to represent a group of supporters who over the course of their lifetime, and through continuous giving, have contributed $100,000 or more to the college.

In 1999, Selden established the first of his two gift annuities that allow him to receive income during his lifetime while making a significant gift to TWC. He has been very active in TWC's Alumni Association, where he served a term as president.

As a native of Athens, Tenn., he has also been very involved in his community and has served as president or chairman for several organizations, including the McMinn County Historical Society, where he is a charter member; Kiwanis; Jaycees; Athens Area Chamber of Commerce; and the Keith Memorial United Methodist Church Board of Trustees. He was also instrumental in founding the McMinn Living Heritage Museum and served as the Museum's treasurer for several years.

 

Selden enjoys history, travel and spending time with friends. One of his favorite hobbies is genealogy. He is an active member of the Society of The Lees of Virginia and the First Families of Virginia as his family's history began in Virginia.

Selden's career spanned 43 years with Mayfield Dairy Farms, where he served as treasurer of the organization that has been a leader in the dairy industry. When Selden began working at Mayfield Dairy Farms, sales were $800,000, and the year he retired, sales had risen to $1.8 million.

Fun fact: Selden's grandmother attended Grant University, as Tennessee Wesleyan was named at the time, in the late 1870s.

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In the 1930s and 40s the campus of Tennessee Wesleyan College was much different than it is today, but in many ways it is similar. It was a place where lasting friendships were made and people came to make a better future for themselves.

A great example is the friendship of Leonard Lomell '41 and Bill Selden '41, who met at TWC during their freshmen year. The two continue to stay in contact with one another through letters, phone calls and visits, after a chance meeting after World War II, when both men served in the U.S. Army. Lomell, an Army Ranger, is considered by many to be the individual, other than General Eisenhower, who made D-Day a success.

Below are responses from the two on how their long-lasting friendship began and how TWC played an important role in who they are today.

Why did you choose to attend TWC?

Lomell: I chose to attend TWC because even then (1940) they were an outstanding college. They offered me a football scholarship and a work-for-pay program to enable me to go to college there. I had no money. It was during the years of the horrible depression of the 30s and 40s. My parents were Scandinavian immigrants with five children, poor and unable to help me financially. My father was elderly and a house painter and no one could afford to have their house painted during those years. I graduated from TWC in 1941. Then came World War II, where I served as an army ranger. Following discharge, the G.I. Bill enabled me to become a lawyer.

Selden: During the summer of the 1930s, TWC was a great playground where we would meet to play tennis, touch football, baseball, etc. And even during the school year there were many things that would attract school-age students.

And too, my great grandfather was one of the original incorporations of the college in 1857, as well as one of the first trustees.

What are some of your most memorable moments on the TWC campus?

Lomell: I made a lot of good friends at TWC and received a good college education there. College life at TWC was exciting and rewarding. There are only several dear old TWC friends still alive. We're in our late 80s and early 90s. Memorable moments at TWC resulted from sports, friendships, music and dancing and partying in the 1940s.

Selden: The music department was very fortunate to employ an important and well-trained musician to head the department (Dr. Wolfe). Many of the lead people thought he was a German spy. His Glee Club was exceptional and excellent. Our field trips to rural East Tennessee were delightful ventures into poorer areas of other impoverished communities. Those of us who knew Dr. Wolfe still appreciate the training he gave us.

How have the two of you remained friends after all of these years?

Lomell: We enjoy each other's company and have a good time when we occasionally meet. This is true with my other TWC classmates that are still in touch.

Selden: We first renewed our friendship after World War II. He had married an intelligent and attractive girl from New Jersey. I saw them here in Athens then visited them in New Jersey, where they still reside. And we still enjoy our visits. We particularly enjoyed the reunion last fall (2007) when they visited me.

What was your major at TWC and what was your professional career after graduation?

Lomell: While at TWC, my plan ultimately narrowed down to my goal of becoming a lawyer. After World War II, I studied law at Rutgers University and was admitted to the Bar of New Jersey in the year 1951. I retired as a lawyer at 65 years of age in 1985. I had organized and started my own law firm in 1957. Eventually, we had 16 lawyers plus staff. We furnished many of the prosecutors and judges in our county during the period of 1957 through 1980.

Selden: My major was accounting. I continued to work in that area at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where I graduated in June 1943 and left the next week for 30 months in the U.S. Army.

When I returned from the Army, I went to work for Mayfield Dairy Farms. It was a very pleasant and rewarding career, as well as a great relationship with my friends – the Mayfield family.

Why do you think it is important for yourself and others to give to TWC?

Lomell: TWC needs the means to advance its objective of becoming bigger and better and to help other poor kids like me to get a college education.

Selden: I have been fortunate to give generously to the college through the years and it is a pleasure to see how I have been able to join others in actually making a difference in the physical appearance of the campus, help improve the faculty or work toward other pressing needs.

What does TWC mean to you and your family?

Lomell: TWC was the only college I could find in the late 1930s that could or would help me get started with the necessary education it takes to become a lawyer. I had no money nor did I know where or how to get it to pursue my professional college and law school education. I owe my professional success to TWC.

Selden: My grandmother went to Grant University (as TWC was known then) in the late 1870s, and my sister and I each attended two years.

What do you want to see in TWC's future?

Lomell: I want to see more money in TWC's future so poor kids like I once was can get a start there on their college education. Charlotte (my wife) and I have put five kids through college and helped many more. There are still lots of opportunities to help others.

Selden: I am anxious that TWC continue to give students a quality education in a Christian and morally correct atmosphere so that the y may successfully meet the demanding challenges of the growing world, just as I was given the sturdy and correct basis to take my place in the world. I can never overestimate the value and the quality of the beginnings I received with the wonderful people I met on the campus of TWC – fine faculty, dear friends and a cultural center for the community and the people who have the opportunity to attend there.