PHILANTHROPY
PHILANTHROPY
Second Century Campaign serves up an ace
by Jeffrey Douglas
From the mezzanine overlooking the half-dozen indoor tennis courts of the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center, one gains a sense of perspective about Virginia Tech's Second Century Campaign. Just last year, both varsity tennis teams wrangled with afternoon classes for winter-time practice on three indoor courts. Student-athletes competing for Virginia's largest university hosted matches on courts borrowed from a local hotel.
Not any more. With three new indoor and six new outdoor courts, the Hokies now compete on a dozen-court indoor/outdoor complex, complete with team rooms and bleachers. It is, says men's coach Larson Bowker, one of the finest intercollegiate tennis facilities in the East. The center was made possible by gifts from Dave and Betty Burrows of Roanoke, their son Jack and his wife Lee of Roanoke, and their daughter Beverly and her husband Bob Burleson of Tallahassee, Florida. In addition, others who provided support for the new center were Mrs. Clifton P. Gaunt, Mr. and Mrs. Leo M. McMahon, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Hoge III, Mrs. Carol B. Rector, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Rector Jr.
The pride of the university's tennis community is the first visible result of the Second Century Campaign, a university campaign for intercollegiate athletics that has now raised $14.5 million toward a $17-million goal. "We've made a lot of progress," says Charles Forbes, vice president for development and university relations. "We're ahead of schedule and that speaks very well of our people."
Very well indeed. Despite challenges posed by one of the worst economic recessions in Virginia history, an "almost but didn't" football season, and a basketball program in transition, loyal Hokies have supported Tech's new vision of intercollegiate athletics with vigor. Since the campaign began in January 1990, campaign volunteers working in every sector of the Commonwealth and many parts of the country have increased donor rolls from 5,000 to 8,000 supporters. Development Director Mike Carroll thinks that number will rise to 10,000 by July 1, 1993.
But the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center is only one of several capital needs being addressed by the Second Century Campaign. Tops on the priority list, according to university athletic director Dave Braine, is renovating the Jamerson Center weight room and three separate training rooms into an integrated modern complex to serve all Hokie athletes.
"It is really important that when we attempt to recruit some of the outstanding high school athletes, we have the proper kind of facilities in order to remain competitive with other universities," he says.
Braine hopes the Jamerson project will get under way later this year. Next on the agenda is building a track and soccer complex between Jamerson and Lane Stadium. Construction plans have been approved by the state and about half the funds are on hand. In addition, plans are in progress to construct a new press box, concession stand, rest rooms, parking lots, lights, and additional fencing for English Field. Of particular importance is the need to raise capital funds in order to pay for the Lane Stadium expansion, and the Jamerson Center construction. Funds for these projects were advanced in anticipation of the university's ability to receive gifts in support of construction, and the university is obligated to secure these funds.
"This is the final year of our three-year campaign. We have been very successful to date, but the final $3 million may well be the hardest to raise," Carroll says. "Every alumnus and friend of the university who wants to see our athletic programs succeed will be called upon for support. We've got to get out and reach every Hokie we can."
Banquets honor endowment donors
The motto of Virginia Tech, "That I May Serve," gained new meaning at the first comprehensive scholarship reception and banquet in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences on January 22. Underwritten by Reese O. McCormick Jr. '42 and his wife Nancy, the Agricultural Club Council, and an anonymous donor, the event brought together benefactors and recipients of 275 separately named scholarships and endowments.
Throughout the evening, alumni and students emphasized the importance of scholarships in helping students excel at the university and in the professional world. William C. Latham '55, chair of the Annual Fund for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, spoke of scholarships as a way of investing in the future--the future of the student, the university, and the professional world--through the gift of knowledge.
Chair of the Development Advisory Committee for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Bob Delano '44, attributed his achievements to the firm foundation of his education at Virginia Tech and the college.
In the fall, the R. B. Pamplin College of Business recognized 18 endowed professorships, five established by Robert B. Pamplin, Sr. and Robert B. Pamplin, Jr. at a black-tie recognition dinner set against the plaques in the "Wall of Honor." Professorships enhance the college's prestige, attract outstanding faculty, assure students of superior educational opportunities, and benefit the university by qualifying it for financial incentives through the state.
Anonymous donation creates two endowed chairs
by Lynn Nystrom
An anonymous Virginia Tech engineering alumnus has pledged $1 million over the next five years to help upgrade two existing engineering professorships to endowed chairs.
Ten years ago, the College of Engineering celebrated the establishment of the W. Thomas Rice named professorship, created by an initial endowment of $100,000 from the CSX Corp. of Richmond. Several years later, the college received another endowment supporting a named professorship honoring James Bernard "J.B." Jones, a man who spent almost five decades as a faculty member and head of mechanical engineering in the college. The Jones professorship was supported by family and alumni.
Now, the anonymous donor is pledging the $1 million to elevate the positions to endowed chairs. Additional money will be sought from alumni and friends to complete the funding. Professorships and endowed chairs are used by the college to recognize eminent engineering faculty for effective teaching, as well as distinguished research.
"The generosity of our alumni and friends allows the college to continue to offer a quality education to our engineering students. They are providing the support we need to attract the best faculty to teach our students." said Wayne Clough, dean of the College of Engineering. "We are especially pleased to be able to bestow further honor upon the two individuals, Tom Rice, an outstanding alumnus, and J.B. Jones, a name that is practically synonymous with the mechanical engineering department on campus."
Rice, the retired chairman and chief executive officer of Seaboard Coast Line Industries Inc.--which later merged with Chessie Systems to form the CSX Corp.--graduated from Virginia Tech in 1934. He had the highest academic average in his civil engineering class. He is an active alumnus, serving two terms on the university's board of visitors, including a stint as rector from 1962-64. He is a member of the College of Engineering's Committee of 100.
The late James Bernard Jones received his bachelor's from Virginia Tech in 1921. He then earned three master's degrees and began working as a teaching assistant for the university. In 1932, he was promoted to professor and department head of engineering.
The anonymous donor indicated that the "role model" that both Rice and Jones provided to a number of young people influenced his decision to make the commitment to help fund the chairs.
During the past two decades, approximately three dozen professorships and three endowed chairs have been established in the College of Engineering. The latest gift will bring the number of endowed chairs to five. Income from the permanent endowments qualifies for matching funds through Virginia's Eminent Scholars program.
How to create a legacy
Creating a bequest provision in your will or estate plan can be a surprisingly simple process.
Substantively, a bequest can take the form of a stated amount of money, a certain percentage of your estate, or all the remainder of your estate after other bequest provisions have been set forth. It can also take the form of a specific asset such as real estate, personal property, or individual securities.
Although unrestricted gifts represent the most flexible way to benefit Virginia Tech, many alumni and friends choose to designate their bequests to establish a permanent endowment that will support a specific purpose or program in perpetuity. The most frequently used examples include scholarship funds and professorships to supplement faculty salaries. Other endowed funds can support library book or research equipment purchases, visiting scholar programs, lecture or concert series presentations, faculty and student travel grants, and building renovation funds.
All gifts to Virginia Tech, including bequests, are received, administered, and distributed on behalf of the university by the Virginia Tech Foundation Inc., a separate not-for-profit entity created in 1948. The Legacy Society is Virginia Tech's way of recognizing the special bond that results from the creation of a bequest provision. Currently, more than 100 alumni and friends have made this commitment to the university.
The typical bequest need not be elaborate or complicated. Here is how an unrestricted bequest would read:
"I give __ percent of my estate to the Virginia Tech Foundation Inc., Blacksburg, Va., on behalf of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, to be used at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Foundation to promote, foster, and enhance the growth, progress, and general welfare of the university."
A restricted bequest to create, for example, an endowed scholarship fund, would read as follows:
"I give __ percent of my estate to the Virginia Tech Foundation Inc., Blacksburg, Va., on behalf of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, to be used to create the John Doe Endowed Scholarship Fund, annual income from which shall provide financial aid to needy and deserving students enrolled [in the College of ______] at Virginia Tech."
It is that simple. We would be pleased to work with you and your lawyer to suggest draft language your lawyer could incorporate in your will or estate plan. Just call us at 1-800-533-1144.
Jeffrey Douglas is the information officer for the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
Lynn Nystrom is director of news and external relations for the College of Engineering.Virginia Tech Magazine Volume 14, Number 3 Spring 1992