Development
Southern States Boosts Equine Program
 |
Houston Staton, director of marketing and promotions for Southern States Cooperative, Inc., presents a $25,000 contribution to support Virginia Tech’s equine programs during the Hokie Harvest Sale held on October 27. The in-kind gift will benefit teaching and student activities such as the Equine Sciences Program and the Equestrian Club. Vernon Meacham, corporate relations officer for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, stated “the gift represents the ongoing commitment Southern States has to sustaining a great partnership with Virginia Tech and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Pictured from left to right: Mark McCann, associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of Virginia Cooperative Extension; Rebecca Splan, associate professor of animal and poultry sciences; Vernon Meacham, corporate relations officer for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Houston Staton; and Teresa McDonald, instructor of animal and poultry sciences.
Scholarships Provide Opportunities for Students
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has set a goal of raising $5 million for scholarship support during the current capital campaign. Under current endowment spending policies, this would mean that an additional $250,000 dollars could be made available to students for both need- and merit-based scholarships.
This type of gift is an investment in the future. A $50,000 endowed scholarship provides nearly $2,500 in annual support for students. These endowments can target specific regions, majors, or interests and the donor works with the college development office to set up parameters that fill a need or are of interest to the donor. This is an excellent way to leave a perpetual legacy at Virginia Tech.
The endowments can be set up to honor a friend or loved one, or can be a tribute to one’s lifetime of achievement. There are some points to consider when setting up a scholarship:
• $50,000 is the minimum endowment.
• A pledge can be stretched out over time and the endowment can enhanced with an estate gift.
• The entire endowment can be set up with an estate gift.
• Development works with donors to set scholarship parameters, but fewer restrictions allow the college to target a larger group of students.
• Endowment agreements can be written to include support for graduate and/or undergraduate students.
As the college looks at its challenge to “Invent the Future” at Virginia Tech, its ability reach out to the top students is critical in continuing the land-grant mission of being effective in discovery, learning, and engagement.
More information about establishing an endowed scholarship or how to contribute to current endowments is available from Max Bales, director of development for the college, (540) 231-1987 or e-mail mbales@vt.edu.
Lerch Joins Development Team
 |
| Dawn Lerch |
Dawn Lerch of Richmond, Va., has been named assistant director of development for the college. As the assistant director, Lerch assists the college’s fundraising efforts to support current operations, endowments, and capital projects.
As the primary staff member for donor prospects, Lerch develops and implements fundraising strategies. She works closely with the Office of University Development, fundraisers, volunteers, and other individuals and agencies affiliated with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
An avid philanthropist, Lerch intends to take full advantage of her personal experience as a donor. “My husband and I are members of the Ut Prosim Society and the Legacy Society, so I am looking forward to using my experience as a philanthropist in my new position,” she said.
Lerch earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture from Virginia Tech. A Master Gardener since 1985, she worked as a part-time horticulturalist and educator at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Va., before accepting her current position. Before that, she spent nine years as an environmental educator for Virginia Cooperative Extension’s office in Chesterfield County.
Her extensive community service track record includes lecturing and directing workshops on flower arranging and botanical decorations, serving on the Virginia Cooperative Extension Leadership Council, and participating in programs and activities with the Salisbury Garden Club, of which she is a former president. Her husband and two children are all Virginia Tech alumni.