Local couple endows first Shepherd University chair in history

ISSUED: 12 June 2007
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
(Local couple endows first Shepherd University chair in history)

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Shepherdstown, WV--The Shepherd University Foundation announces the establishment of the first endowed chair at Shepherd University by Ray and Madeline Johnston, owners of the Woods Resort in Hedgesville. The Johnstons established the chair to help assure faculty excellence in the area of history.

"Both Madeline and I were born into large, poor but proud families during the Great Depression," says Ray Johnston. "We received excellent public education, and the GI Bill of Rights helped finance my college education. We want to show our gratitude for what the public has done for us."

"The establishment of the endowed chair is absolutely wonderful news for our program," said Dr. Anders Henriksson, chair of Shepherd's Department of History. "The history program, like the University as a whole, is poised to make major forward progress. We have hired some excellent new faculty, our Civil War concentration has attracted national attention, the number of history majors has nearly doubled over the past five years, and we are in the planning stages for a master's degree in public history. The addition of the endowed chair in American history will enable us to strengthen our faculty resources in a crucial area of study."

According to Ray Alvarez, Shepherd University Foundation president, the Foundation views this donation as the beginning of a new direction in charitable giving. "This gift is unique as it endows Shepherd's first chair and offers a promise of enduring impact on faculty excellence."

For further information about this endowment or about creating and endowment or scholarship contact the Shepherd University Foundation at 304/876-5397.

-30-HORST

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