| Why do people support the University of Delaware?
UD DONOR PROFILES
Sandra Singer Rauschenberger, AS ’92, made her initial gift to the University in 1999. It was for an impressive $5,000. An anthropology major who holds a master’s degree from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, Rauschenberger said the gift was her first to the University for one simple reason. "I never had the money before." Once able, she was more than willing to give, believing that her gift is part of a continuum.
"You get the benefit of great professors, and that costs money. Somebody paid for you, with their gift or endowment, to provide you that quality education," Rauschenberger said. "Now it is your turn to give back. It is a continuation in the chain of education."
Rauschenberger was motivated to give by her positive college experience. "What the University of Delaware gave me was priceless, so the least I can do is give back to them after they gave me so much," she said.
"I really loved Delaware. I tell everyone who will listen they should go to Delaware," she added. "Delaware is a very large school, but I never felt overwhelmed. I always felt like I was at a small college. The professors always had time for you."
The $5,000 donation is earmarked for the Department of Anthropology, for which Rauschenberger has particularly fond memories. "I am hoping my gift will help them further their work, so that they can give even more back to the students by expanding their knowledge," she said.
Ed Kee and his wife Deborah decided they wanted to participate in the Campaign for Delaware as a way of thanking the University of Delaware for the central role the institution has played in their lives. Kee earned a bachelor of science degree from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 1973 and a master of science degree two years later, and has enjoyed a successful career as a crop specialist working out of the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension Service office in Georgetown. His wife is a 1974 graduate of the University with a degree in education. Daughter Karey is a 1997 graduate of the University, and daughter Jessi is a junior studying fashion merchandising.
"The Campaign really focused our thinking about how grateful we have been for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and for the University," Kee said. After some discussion, they decided their participation should come in the form of a scholarship endowment. "We thought, if we can help somebody go to college, that’s a good thing."
The Kees pledged $5,000 per year for five years to establish the Ed Kee Endowed Scholarship Fund to support a student from a Delaware high school enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, with first preference to an athlete.
As the idea came to fruition, Kee went to J.G. Townsend Inc., a Sussex County company with which he has had a strong relationship since his days as a University graduate student, to discuss the possibility of financial support for the scholarship endowment. Kee discussed the project with J.G. Townsend Chairman Sue Birchard and "asked them to match what I was doing."
He later got a call from J.G. Townsend Vice President Roger, who said, "We can give you $20,000."
Kee responded, "That was a little less than I’d hoped, but that is nice."
"No, we’re giving $20,000 a year for five years," Townsend said.
Stunned by the company’s generosity, Kee said, "I was sort of speechless for a while."
"We’ve worked with you for years, and we’ve enjoyed that association," Townsend explained. "But also, the company has worked with the University folks for three generations now, and it was an opportunity to thank the University."
Kee was moved, saying, "That continuing relationship they have had with the University since the 1930s and 1940s is something special."
Charlie Pinto’s enthusiasm for the University of Delaware springs from a deep well of sentiment. His grandfather, Peyton Patterson, graduated in 1911 with a degree in engineering. His father, George J. Pinto Jr., graduated in 1948 and his uncle, Charles W. Pinto, in 1949, both with degrees in engineering. His mother, Rebekah Patterson Pinto, has been a loyal friend to the institution.
Pinto himself graduated in 1969 with a degree in business and economics, having been captain of the University’s Middle Atlantic Conference championship golf team. And Pinto and his wife are "Double Dels," she the former E. Joy Brown, a 1972 University graduate with a degree in education.
Given the family history, the Pintos believed it would be a fitting tribute to give something back to the institution through a memorial. They conceived the newly established Pinto Family Scholarship – to be presented to a male or female athlete in any sport enrolled in the College of Business and Economics – which honors the family’s near century-long association with the University. The Pintos are funding the scholarship through a $125,000 gift.
"We have this long history," said Pinto, senior vice president and chief human resource officer for PPL Resources Inc. of Allentown, Pa., a global power and energy company. "We’ve been with the University well nigh about one hundred years. When my father was still alive, we thought it might be nice to do something to recognize the three generations. We thought it might be nice to give the University some kind of remembrance of this clan."
Pinto said the idea remained dormant until the Campaign for Delaware kicked off in October 1998. "When the Campaign came up, we thought it might be a good time to do it."
No matter where Pinto has gone or what he has done, he has consistently promoted the University of Delaware. "I don’t hesitate at all to recommend Delaware to good students and good athletes because it’s a fabulous institution," he said. "I thought the University was a good school when I was there, and that was 30 years ago. I just think it has gotten that much better, that much more dynamic since. It is one of the best educational values around." |
