The word “transformative” tends to be overused, but there is perhaps no better way to describe the significance of George and Marian Langford’s gift to Florida State University’s Department of Classics.

In the early 1990s, a $1 million endowment from George Langford, founder and chairman of Municipal Code Corporation, enabled the department to establish the Langford Family Eminent Scholar Chair and host its inaugural Langford Conference. The annual spring conference has since grown to become one of the premier university classics colloquia in the United States.

Langford, a longtime supporter of FSU and beloved civic leader, died Jan. 3, at the age of 95.

“For over two decades now, our students and faculty have benefited from hosting the leading scholars in classics from all over the world here in Tallahassee at our annual Langford Family Eminent Scholar Conferences,” said Daniel Pullen, chair of the classics department. “The Langford Family Eminent Scholar Chair has literally put FSU and Tallahassee on the national and international map in the world of classics.”

Pullen added that the Langfords’ generosity has been instrumental in helping to mold the department into one of national importance, with a reputation equal to or greater than that of classics departments at other top public universities throughout the country.

“As our department grows, we attract some of the best and brightest students and are able to recruit the best new scholars to join our faculty,” he said. “We couldn’t be doing this without the support of the Langfords.”

Sam Huckaba, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, expressed his appreciation for the Langfords’ generosity.

“We are very grateful to the Langfords for their gift to support the Department of Classics,” he said. “It has made an enormous impact on the academic lives of scores of students and faculty members, and will continue to do so.”

Pullen echoed Huckaba’s sentiments.

“We are honored to be entrusted with this gift,” he said. “I know that our department will continue to fulfill George’s desire to make an impact in the education of our students and the intellectual life of the classics department in the coming generations.”

Read more about George Langford’s extraordinary life and generosity toward FSU.