Endowment

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - The Shepherd College Foundation announces the endowment of the C. Thomas Baxter Jr. Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was established in memory of Baxter, former vice president of administration and finance at Shepherd College for his support of the foundation's mission to see that every qualified, deserving student has the opportunity to attend Shepherd. Donations to the scholarship can be sent to the Shepherd College Foundation, Ikenberry Hall 205, Shepherdstown, W.Va.

marlob@herald-mail.com James Taylor has a dream that the interest from endowment funds might someday offset 100 percent of the operating expenses of the United Way of Washington County. That goal may be a long way off but Taylor, the United Way's executive director, said another step has been taken toward it with the recent creation of a United Way endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Washington County. The newest fund was started with $10,000, Taylor said.

A keepsake, according to Webster, is "anything kept, or given to be kept, as a token of friendship or affection; remembrance. " Perhaps you have something from your parents or grandparents that you consider a keepsake. Seeing it or handling it stirs fond memories. A bride may keep her wedding dress for years as a treasured keepsake, a remembrance of a special day in her life. A daughter may wear this same dress in her own wedding and keep it to pass down someday to her daughter.

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- The Shepherd University Foundation has announced the creation of an endowment funded by Shepherd University's Washington Gateway Program. Funds will be used to provide financial assistance to Shepherd students who once took part in the Junior High Washington Gateway Academy. Shepherd University recognizes and accepts the opportunity to take advantage of its close proximity to Washington, D.C. Since 1991, Shepherd's Washington Gateway Program has been providing academic, cultural and career experiences both on campus and in the political and information capital of our nation.

By BRYN MICKLE / Staff Writer, Martinsburg photos: MARLA BROSE / staff photographer MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - There was just one bad thing about George Hancock's $100,000 scholarship donation: It kept him from seeing the end of Sunday's Baltimore Orioles game. "The (Orioles) had two men on in the ninth inning and my nephew tells me we have to go to church," Hancock said with a grin. With Baltimore trying to stage a comeback against the New York Yankees, Hancock turned off his television and headed over to Mt. Zion Methodist Church in Martinsburg.

WILLIAMSPORT -- Every day, health care professionals wade through a tide of need at the Community Free Clinic of Washington County. They serve people with jobs, but no health insurance; senior citizens who need routine checkups to keep them out of the emergency room; and the displaced and homeless with few options. The clinic is their safety net -- and Dr. Dan McDougal wants to keep it that way. That's why he established an endowment fund. McDougal has served as a volunteer physician at the free clinic and is a member of its board of directors.

Festival seeks venders CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - The Charles Town Heritage Festival is seeking vendors and groups interested in participating in the downtown arts and crafts festival running from Thursday, Sept. 21, through Sunday, Sept. 24. Deadline for applications is Tuesday, Aug. 15. A $20 nonrefundable application fee must accompany the application. Pick up an application at Charles Town Visitors Center, 108 N. George St., which is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and closed Mondays and Tuesdays; or call Bob O'Connor at 304-535-2627.

chambersburg@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - While noticeable progress has been made this year on the planned Capitol Theatre Center, funding is still necessary for its completion and future upkeep. That was the message from Paul Cullinane, president of Downtown Chambersburg Inc. (DCI), at a semi-annual town meeting Tuesday evening that drew about two dozen residents and business owners interested in hearing where several downtown projects stood. Thanks to an almost $1.2 million donation from The Wood Foundation of Chambersburg, there is only a $700,000 shortfall for construction and DCI is halfway to its $2 million endowment goal, Cullinane said.

Construction projects to alter traffic patterns SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - Construction projects at Shepherd University will change traffic patterns during residence hall move-in on Aug. 15, 17 and 20. Access to Kenamond and Turner halls will be from W.Va. 480 near the bridge due to construction of the new nursing building on East Campus. Gardiner Hall will be accessed from King Street. Also, motorists will notice increased traffic during move-in hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the W.Va.

Last October, a Hagerstown couple and a foundation named for a Washington County aviation pioneer pledged $5 million in a challenge designed to get local nonprofit organizations to start their own endowment funds. Last week that generosity paid off for 16 local groups, which will get the opportunity to win matching money to build a fund to offset their expenses for many years to come. The challenge was launched through the Community Foundation of Washington County by John and Margaret Waltersdorf and the Richard A. Henson foundation.

The Drew Michael Taylor Foundation and the Summit Health Community Health department recently received grants from Summit Endowment to aid them in implementing or continuing programs to benefit the community. The grant awarded to the Drew Michael Taylor Foundation will be used to expand the foundation's grief and loss lending library. The grant awarded to Summit Health's Community Health Department will be used for a Drop 10 in 10 with Smart Technology program. This program is an enhancement to the weight loss education now being offered in Summit Health's GetFit!

With twinkling lights hanging from the ceiling, an arena that normally hosts athletic events was transformed Friday night into a venue of celebration for generosity and philanthropy to higher education in Washington County. Billed as one of the largest fundraisers in the county, about 750 people came together inside the Athletic, Recreation and Community Center at Hagerstown Community College for an annual event put on by the HCC Foundation and the HCC Booster Club. “I think this is the premiere event annually in Washington County in regard to raising funds for a terrific cause,” HCC President Guy Altieri said of the 14th annual fundraiser.

The renovation of the John Stewart Memorial Library at Wilson College has received a boost, thanks to a gift of as much as $3.6 million from Marguerite Lenfest of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Wilson College President Barbara K. Mistick announced the gift with its matching elements at a meeting of the college's board of trustees in late February. “This gift is significant because libraries are the heart of a college and representative of quality academics,” Mistick said. “We are excited about the plans for a progressive, modern library with a learning commons that will become the center of our academic community.” The college has embarked on a $12 million fundraising effort to repair and restore the original 1923 library building, while razing a 1961 addition and replacing it with a learning commons equipped to meet the changing needs of today's educators and students.

Shepherd University President Suzanne Shipley announced the name of the new theater in the second phase of the Center for Contemporary Arts. The 180-seat theater and multipurpose venue will be called the Stanley C. and Shirley A. Marinoff Theater when it opens later this spring. The naming opportunity is in recognition of a recent legacy endowment contribution to the Shepherd University Foundation by Dr. Stanley C. Marinoff, of Shepherdstown and Chevy Chase, Md., and in memory of his late wife, Shirley.

The Greencastle-Antrim (Pa.) Endowment presented $2,000 scholarships from the endowment to Greencastle-Antrim High School students Ethan Koons, Ammarah Spall and Gregory Boyer during the school's annual academic awards ceremony. Boyer plans to attend Liberty University to pursue a degree in medicine. Koons plans to attend Shenandoah University to pursue a degree in pharmacy. Spall plans to attend Hood College to pursue a degree in medicine. This was the first year Greencastle-Antrim Endowment offered the scholarship.

The Johns Hopkins University is known throughout the world for medical research, but the late Hagerstown businessman Michael G. Callas remembered his alma mater by endowing a professorship for his profession, civil engineering. Somnath Ghosh, who holds joint faculty appointments in Hopkins' departments of Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, was installed Dec. 5 as the first Michael G. Callas Professor of Civil Engineering in a ceremony at the university. Callas, who died in 2004, earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1943 at Hopkins and his master's degree in structural engineering in 1947, according to the biography provided by the university.

The Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday that its Centennial Endowment Fund has reached $150,000 in donations and pledges. The money will be used to support programs in education, workforce development and leadership. The chamber unveiled a plaque with contributors' names at its annual business breakfast at Wilson College. The chamber publicly launched the fund drive on Aug. 21, its 100th anniversary. The Centennial Endowment Fund was created through one of its affiliates, the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation, to ensure that the chamber will continue to positively impact future generations.

Hagerstown Community College recently announced the addition of four new endowed scholarships due to the generosity of Jack and Anna Hershey, both of Hagerstown. The Hershey family donated more than $120,000 in proceeds from the HCC Foundation Tribute Dinner, held annually in March in HCC's Athletic, Recreation and Community Center. Each year, members of the HCC Foundation recognize philanthropists and community leaders for their dedication and efforts to improve life in Washington County.

After five years, the Waltersdorf-Henson Endowment Challenge Campaign has achieved its goal of raising $5 million through the Community Foundation of Washington County MD Inc. and 15 other local nonprofits. The money raised will be matched by the endowment. The challenge ended in December with more than $10 million being raised through the campaign and the matching endowment grant. The total raised through the campaign was $10,144,964.84, according to Marsha Jackson, director of marketing and communication for the Community Foundation.

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - The Shepherd University Foundation has announced the creation of an endowment funded by the Shepherd University Alumni Association. Funds will be used to provide financial assistance to full-time students, or part-time or full-time graduate students. First preference will be given to a Shepherd University graduate or the child, spouse or sibling of a Shepherd grad. According to board member Larry Strite, the endowment was originated as a way for the association to establish a lasting legacy of support to financially disadvantaged Shepherd students and, in turn, encourage them to help future students and fellow alumni.