History of the Foundation

July 1961: The Shepherd College Foundation incorporated by Charles J. Unseld '06, James M. Moler '30, Oliver S. Ikenberry, John L. Engle, and Shirley M. Hunt with William R. Thacher, president

1964: Jessie Hendrix, the Foundation's office assistant, compiles first alumni directory

March 1965: Amended charter provding fora more extensive operation is adopted

Spring 1968: Foundation Office established in newly-constructed Ikenberry Hall

Spring 1972: Dr. James Moler '30 becomes second president of the Foundation

1979: Charles Doss appointed CFO

1981: Foundation serves as fiscal agent to Festival of the Arts

1983: Foundation pays tuition for 50 unemployed persons to attend Shepherd

1984: Foundation provides funding for the recruitment of students

October 1984: Foundation celebrates 20 years with a reception for 160 friends and supporters. Approximately $70,000 awarded in student aid, exceeding any other year in its 20-year history.

September 1985: Foundation fund for faculty support added to the Foundation program

November 1985: Foundation creates fund to pay tuition of students who were victims of the devastating flood of 1985

1991: Wilma Neff hired as executive secretary and treasurer

1991: Shepherd Classified Employees start Foundation scholarship for children of classified employees

July 1995: McMurran Society established

December 1996: Monica Lingenfelter hired as executive vice president

September 1997: First Foundation Donor/Scholar Reception held at Popodicon

1998: James Davis '59 elected third president of Foundation

Spring 2000: Foundation board votes to adopt mission to expand funding to support innovative curriculum, up-to-date technology, faculty development, and capital building projects

Spring 2000: Foundation begins Campaign for Shepherd, a gift-giving program to support library addition and stadium expansion

Spring 2002: Scarborough Society established to support library programs

July 2003: Assets reach $17.5 million; $1.2 million distributed for scholarships and programs during 03-04 academic year

September 2003: Kenneth J. Boone Field House dedicated--first building to be built with use of private funds raised by the Foundation

March 2004: Foundation goes online for donations

May 2004: Shepherd University Foundation moves offices to new home in historic McMurran Hall. Anticipate assets to exceed $20 million by fall 2004

July 2006: Shepherd University Foundation, in conjunction with other university support groups, begin working toward the first ever comprehensive campaign

September 2006: Ramon A. Alvarez '62 elected fourth president of Foundation

July 2011: Shepherd University successfully completes its first Comprehensive Campaign exceeding its $20 million goal by 30%

September 2011: The Shepherd University Foundation celebrates its milestone 50th anniversary of supporting the students, faculty, and programs of Shepherd University. As part of the celebration, the Foundation dedicated two teak benches in honor of its first president, William "Pappy" Thacher and current leader Ramon A. Alvarez '62. The benches join those previously dedicated to former Foundation presidents James M. Davis '59 and James M. Moler '30 in front of McMurran Hall.

2012: The Scarborough Society celebrates 10 successful years of supporting and strengthening the Shepherd University library system