The following alumni and parents have made generous gifts to assist deserving students and enhance specific academic programs at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ:
David Bowden ’70 and his wife, Mary, of Lexington, Va., made a $52,200 scholarship gift to ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ to assist students majoring in economics. Bowden, a retired attorney, credits his economics and business administration studies at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ with creating a foundation for his future academic success. After graduating from ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, Bowden earned his law degree at the University of Miami.
He says endowing the David O. Bowden Economics Scholarship will ensure that future ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ students enjoy the same opportunities that he did. The scholarship will be awarded to seniors who are active in the economics department, demonstrate potential for success in the field and have a strong academic record.
Richard V. and Bonnie D. Downen of Charlotte, N.C., have made a $25,000 scholarship gift to assist deserving freshmen. The Downen Family Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to an entering freshman with a solid B average and a record of school and community service. Financial need is not a requirement but may be taken into consideration.
The scholarship will be matched by funds from the Cavanaugh Family Funds, which was established to encourage donors to endow new scholarships. With the matching funds, the Downen Family Endowed Scholarship will be fully endowed at $50,000.
The Downens served as dedicated members of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s Parents Council from 2002-2005 and chaired the council during the last year of their term. They have continued their service to ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ by joining the Board of Visitors. The Downens are the parents of Meredith L. Downen ’05, who majored in communications.
Jim Drummond ’50 and Joan Summers Drummond ’52 of Gibsonville, N.C., have made a gift to support annual giving at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ and to endow a scholarship to assist students and faculty in the university’s chemistry department.
A portion of the Drummonds’ gift will establish The Joan and James Drummond Endowed Scholarship in Chemistry, which will support students studying chemistry and the work of innovative faculty in the department. The couple’s gift to the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Fund qualifies them for continued membership in the President’s Circle of The ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Society, the university’s premier annual giving group.
The Drummonds are active volunteers on behalf of their alma mater, serving as past presidents of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s Golden Alumni Association and current members of the National Alumni Executive Board.
The Drummonds have been generous ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ donors, making a gift to name a research lab in the McMichael Science Center. Joan Drummond earned a degree in chemistry and biology at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ and retired from Proctor and Gamble in 1990 after nearly 40 years with the company and its predecessor, Vick Chemical Co. The Drummonds’ gift was matched by Proctor and Gamble for a total of $50,000.
ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ parents Dr. Bruce D. and Geri E. Schirmer of Charlottesville, Va., have made a $20,000 endowment gift to support the activities of the university’s women’s and gender studies program.
The couple established the Schirmer Family Endowment in honor of their daughter, Liza ’06, who was one of the student leaders of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s “Take Back the Night” program to promote sexual assault awareness.
Bruce Schirmer is a surgeon at the University of Virginia Medical Center and Geri Schirmer is a playwright and dedicated volunteer and advocate for women’s issues.