Methodist College AnnuAl RepoRt 2005 - Methodist University

A Portrait of GivingThere are a handful of special people in this world whose lives impacteveryone they touch in a positive way. Dr. Bill Lowdermilk was one of thosepeople.his retirement. In fact, in 2004, he helped establish a Bible study for golfmanagement students titled “In His Grip.” He was also very involved withthe Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Men’s Bible Study.Dr. Lowdermilk did not intend to spend his life in theworld of education. Rather, he attended Duke University,earning a bachelor’s degree in divinity and was ordainedas a Methodist minister. Still, when his bishop asked himto go and help a young Methodist College get on its feet,he answered the call, and Methodist College became hismission field.Dr. Lowdermilk was employed with Methodist College from1963 until his retirement in June 1995 as vice presidentof Church and Community Relations. He served under allthree of the College’s presidents. Methodist College studentswere his passion and his family, earning him the moniker“Uncle Bill.” He was known for hosting student gatherings rich with greatfellowship and wonderful desserts. These gatherings continued even afterThe Rev. Dr. William P. Lowdermilk(1933-2005)During his life, Dr. Lowdermilk made modest gifts toMethodist College. He established two small endowments,which he added to over the years, to eventually fund ascholarship and an award in his name.Dr. Lowdermilk was not born into a family of great financialmeans. This was not a man who should have been able toleave Methodist College over $1 million dollars in his will,yet he did, largely by living a life of frugality. His scholarshipand award endowments are well-funded and will continueto impact the lives of countless Methodist College students.Methodist College salutes “Uncle Bill” Lowdermilk for alifetime of service and giving to the Methodist College family. His life trulywas a portrait of giving.In MemoriamMethodist College has been blessed with a family of caring individuals who have helpedshape and make the College what it is today. We bid a sad farewell to a number of thoseindividuals in 2005. The College pays tribute to those listed below and others whosenames may have been missed for their caring spirits and generous hearts.Mr. Henry C. Campen, Sr. Aug.16, 2005A faithful friend and supporter of MethodistCollege, Mr. Campen was honored in 2004for 45 years of annual consecutive giving tothe College.Mrs. Margaret T. Clark Nov. 26, 2005Mrs. Clark was a devoted friend andsupporter of the College. Her husband,Walter Clark, served on the MethodistCollege Board from 1981 until his death in1997. An endowed scholarship and Walterand Margaret Clark Hall (which houses theCharles M. Reeves School of Business andEconomics) are named in their honor.Dr. Anthony J. “Tony” DeLapa Jan. 6, 2005Dr. DeLapa served Methodist Collegefrom 1989 through 2003 as a professorin the Education Department, chair of theEducation Department, vice-president ofAcademic Affairs and academic dean of theCollege. The Anthony J. DeLapa Art Awardis named in his honor.Mr. Samuel Reese Edwards, Sr. April 21, 2005Mr. Sam Edwards joined the MethodistCollege staff in 1960 as registrar, director ofAdmissions and Financial Aid, and physicaleducation instructor. He was employed for14 years until his retirement in 1974.Dr. J. Nelson Gibson, Jr. April 18, 2005Mr. Gibson was a member of the originalMethodist College Board of Trustees,serving from 1956 through 1965, then from1969 through 1987. He remained active withthe College and earned trustee emeritusstatus in 1988.Dr. Bert Ishee Nov. 16, 2005A devoted friend and supporter of MethodistCollege, Dr. Ishee served as president ofthe Methodist College Foundation in theearly years of the College. His wife, JeanIshee, was one of the first faculty membershired at the College and served as chair ofthe Fine Arts Department.Mrs. C. Wallace Jackson(Garnett “Pinkey” Jackson) Sept. 28, 2005Mrs. Pinkey Jackson was a founding memberof the Fayetteville College Foundation,which later became the Methodist CollegeFoundation. A lifelong friend of the College,she participated in the College’s LoyaltyDay for many years.Dr. Pauline Longest Nov. 1, 2005An assistant professor of biology, Dr.Longest taught botany and other biologycourses at Methodist College from 1962through 1979. She was given assistantprofessor emeritus status following herretirement. The Pauline Longest EducationAward and Pauline Longest Nature Trail arenamed in her honor.The Rev. Dr. William P. Lowdermilk July 18, 2005An employee of Methodist College for32 years, Bill Lowdermilk worked as theassistant director of Public Relations (1963-68), director of Public Relations (1968-74),assistant to the president (1974-77) andvice-president of Church & CommunityRelations (1977-95). In 1997 Dr. Lowdermilkbecame a member of the Methodist CollegeBoard of Trustees. An ethics seminar,scholarship, achievement award, alumnigolf tournament and the main street in to theMethodist College campus are all named inhis honor.Mrs. Jane Peyrouse April 16, 2005Mrs. Peyrouse was a long-time friend andsupporter of the College. Her husband, JackPeyrouse, was on the faculty of MethodistMajor GiftsCollege from 1977 through 1996 and servedas chair of the Theatre Department.Dr. Lorenzo P. “Joe” Plyler Nov. 9, 2005Hired as professor of religion in 1966, Dr.Plyler served Methodist College for almost20 years. He also served as head of theDepartment of Religion and Philosophy andthe Division of Humanities.Mr. Charles H. Von Rosenberg Oct. 29, 2005Mr. Von Rosenberg established theaccounting firm of Haigh and VonRosenberg—the College’s original auditors.A faithful supporter of the College, he alsoserved as an organizer and board memberof the Methodist College Foundation.In 2005, the College received gifts of $1,235,000 from Mr. Shelby M. C.Davis and Mrs. Gayle L. Davis (Davis World Scholars Program) committedto students attending Methodist College from one of the ten United WorldColleges located around the world.The Rev. Dr. William P. Lowdermilk, a member of the College’s Board of Trustees,left the College an estate gift of $1,010,627 designated for endowment. Dr.Lowdermilk had worked at Methodist College for 32 years before he retired inJune 1995 as vice president of Church and Community Relations.Wachovia Bank, through The Wachovia Foundation, committed to a giftof $250,000 to establish the Wachovia Scholars Program, a distinguishedmerit program for students from North Carolina who demonstrate highacademic achievement, leadership qualities, commitment to communityservice and good citizenship.Methodist College Annual Report 2005