Commencement exercises at Davis & Elkins College on Saturday took a surprising turn when Board of Trustees Chair June B. Myles announced that two longtime friends of the College are giving $250,000 in recognition of Dr. Michael Mihalyo’s first year as President. The donors expressed the hope that others will join them in a similar expression of support by contributing an additional $250,000 during the final 45 days of the College’s fiscal year that ends on June 30.
Myles read from a letter from one of the donors, as follows:
“I was much impressed with President Mihalyo when he and Carol Schuler came to see me a few months ago. With the continued and remarkable progress of the College under his leadership, I decided one way to express my confidence in the College’s future is to provide tangible support as the academic year draws to a close.
“Toward that end, I and another friend of the College are together committing $250,000 to this year’s D&E Fund in recognition of President Mihalyo’s leadership during the past year, and in appreciation to the faculty and staff. We should like to request that $125,000 help support this year’s Highlands Scholarships, and $125,000 go toward the enhanced programs in the Fine Arts.
“While our gifts are unconditional and we prefer to remain anonymous, we hope others – Trustees, alumni and friends – will join us in a similar expression of support by contributing an additional $250,000 to The D&E Fund by June 30.”
Following the announcement, President Mihalyo commented, “Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined such thoughtfulness. I am deeply touched by their generosity. We will get right to work encouraging others to follow their example.”
Carol Schuler, Vice President for Development, noted that, “While gifts through The D&E Fund are running about 15 percent ahead of a year ago, these two magnificent gifts position us to reach our $1.5 million goal, provided others respond generously in the next 45 days.” The College’s fiscal year ends on June 30.
Davis & Elkins opened last September with 847 students, the largest full-time enrollment since 1948-49. Officials fully expect to open this fall with the largest enrollment in the College’s 110-year history.
Continuing its place as one of the nation’s best values among private colleges and universities, Davis & Elkins announced in January a freeze in the 2014-15 tuition for all returning students, and a four-year tuition guarantee for all new students.
Those wishing to help meet the $250,000, 45-day goal can reach Schuler at 304-642-5576, via email at schulerc@dewv.edu or at 100 Campus Drive, Elkins, WV 26241.
Related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Davis & Elkins College is located in Elkins, 2 hours east of Charleston, 3 hours south of Pittsburgh and 4 hours west of Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit the College website at www.dewv.edu or call 304-637-1243.
