A FRIENDSHIP ROOTED IN SHARED VALUES
Professor Michael J. Gorman, a renowned New Testament scholar and professor at St. Mary's Seminary & University in Baltimore, connects with Greenville University through his friendship with Professor Brian T. Hartley, former Dean of Arts and Sciences.
This bond brought Professor Gorman to Greenville's campus in February of 2017. He arrived to deliver the first annual Andrews Lecture in Christian Unity guest lecture in Professor Emeritus Hartley’s class. Professor Gorman also delivered a chapel sermon and engaged with students and faculty.
A STORY OF COMPASSION AND CHANGE
During the visit, Professor Gorman shared a powerful story from the 1950s—a tale he learned from his close friend Mary Deffley Kurfess. The story centered on Mary’s parents, Harry (‘57) and Barbara (Lehr, ‘61) Deffley, who faced an uncertain future when Barbara, an assistant to Greenville’s registrar, discovered she was pregnant with their third child in 1956.
Barbara informed her supervisor, fearing her pregnancy would cost her the job—it was rare for women to work while expecting during that time. The situation escalated to the president, who convened a special meeting of the Board of Trustees.
In a remarkable and progressive decision, the trustees unanimously agreed that pregnant employees could retain their jobs. This decision directly challenged long-standing societal norms, which, as noted in a research document from the University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository, often used women’s biological capacity for pregnancy as justification to exclude them from employment in the public sphere.
Employers often contended that they should not be obligated to benefit women who prioritized their "natural role" over their jobs. Marriage or pregnancy was frequently interpreted to signal that women were prepared to embrace this natural role.
It wouldn't be until the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, created to amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, that sex discrimination based on pregnancy would be prohibited.
Barbara remained employed, and in May 1957, she gave birth to Mary, who (at two weeks old) became Greenville’s youngest “graduate” at that year’s commencement.
THE YEAR OF MERCY
Professor Gorman connected this story to the barren fig tree parable in Luke 13:6–9, which he preached in GU's chapel. The parable about giving second chances and bearing fruit resonated deeply with the story of the Deffleys.
Professor Gorman described the year following the trustees’ decision as GU’s "Year of Mercy"—a year where other pregnant secretaries also kept their jobs.
HONORING A LEGACY
After Barbara Deffley passed away in 2019, Professor Gorman and his wife, Nancy, honored her memory with a donation to Greenville University. The gift was accompanied by a letter recounting the story of mercy that profoundly impacted the Deffley family and the GU community.
Professor Gorman reflected, “The kindness and wisdom shown by GU’s leadership at that time left an enduring legacy—not just for the Deffleys, but for all who believe in mercy as core values of a Christian institution.”
A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO GREENVILLE
Professor Gorman’s relationship with GU is a testament to the university’s enduring mission. “I’ve always held GU in high regard," he shared. "My time on campus and connection through Brian Hartley have deepened my respect for the institution's dedication to fostering a Christ-centered community."
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Mary Deffley Kurfess and her parents, Harry and Barbara (Lehr) Deffley.
