VU Foundation Receives Largest Single Gift of $4.5 million - External Relations
VU Foundation Receives Largest Single Gift of $4.5 million
February 25, 2019 / Vincennes University Foundation Receives Largest
Single Gift of $4.5 million
LINK to photo of Alexandra Page
Clark, click
HERE
VINCENNES, Ind. - The Vincennes University Foundation has
received its largest individual donation to date - a $4.5 million
bequest from Alexandra Page Clark who passed away on August 22, 2017,
at the age of 55. Including the name of her “soul mate and husband,”
the Alexandra Clark and Oscar Dunn Scholarships will benefit students
in the Practical Nursing and Music programs at Vincennes University.
VU President Chuck Johnson stated, “This gift represents a
historic level of support for Vincennes University. We have been
fortunate to have a long-standing relationship with the Clark-Dunn
family and are humbled by their generosity. A gift of this magnitude
will have a multi-generational impact on VU, our students, their
families, and the communities we serve.
The family’s relationship with Vincennes University began 30
years ago when Oscar Dunn and the VU Foundation established a
scholarship in memory of his father, Oscar L. Dunn, a long-time
mathematics teacher and band director for Vincennes Lincoln High
School. The program annually awards almost $20,000 in scholarships to
selected LHS math students and band members who will be attending
Vincennes University.
“At the VU Foundation, one of our primary roles is to enhance
student success by removing financial barriers for our students.
Thanks to the landmark donation to establish the Clark-Dunn
endowments, even more students will have access to a high-quality VU
education,” added Gregg Sturm, chair of the VU Foundation Board of Directors.
The gift will be divided into a $3.5 million permanent
scholarship endowment for students studying music and performing in
the band or other music ensembles and a $1 million endowment for
students pursuing the one-year certificate to become a licensed
practical nurse. Many students begin their careers by earning the LPN
certificate and continue their studies to earn an associate degree to
become a registered nurse. VU also offers a Bachelor of Science in
Nursing degree.
Clark envisioned the scholarships helping students who may not
be the typical award recipient. Financial need and the student’s
desire to learn are to be greater factors for consideration than high
scholastic achievements. Also, the scholarships will help fill the gap
where the student needs the most assistance, whether it be housing or
other college expenses.
“Alexandra Clark and Oscar Dunn have created a legacy that
demonstrates stewardship at an inspiring level. They had a strong
affinity for Vincennes University and were passionate about the
sciences and performing arts. Thanks to their kindness, more students
will be presented the opportunity to turn their potential into
reality,” said Kristi Deetz interim Foundation Director.
ABOUT ALEXANDRA PAGE CLARK
(Excerpt from the San
Francisco Chronicle, October 8, 2017)
Alex, a descendant of a California pioneer family, died in the
City of San Francisco, the home of her birth, on August 22, after a
valiant battle with glioblastoma brain cancer, with her family by her side.
Alex was the daughter of the late Susan Page of San Francisco
and Edgar "Sandy" Clark of Mill Valley. She grew up in San
Francisco and Brussels, Belgium, attending the Convent of Sacred Heart
in Brussels; the French-American Bilingual School, and the Lycee
Francaise in San Francisco. She held degrees in horticulture and
culinary sciences and also earned her baccalaureate degree at UC
Berkeley in 1993.
After meeting her soul mate and husband, Oscar Dunn, she made
her home in Florida, and also in New York City where she continued her
education, earning her master’s in biology at NYU. Alex worked as an
assistant research scientist in the Department of Biology at NYU where
she helped co-author several scientific articles on plant genes.
Alex was an accomplished skier, learning the sport at a young
age during family trips to Chateau d'Oex, Switzerland. She and her
late husband, Oscar, were also avid tennis players and were members of
the River Club in New York.
ABOUT THE VU FOUNDATION
In advancing the University’s missions of higher education and
community service, the VU Foundation, through the generosity of its
donors, administers endorsements and contributions established by
corporate and individual gifts, as designated. During the 2018-19
school year, the Foundation will have offered or awarded more than $2
million in scholarships. Additional information is available by
contacting the VU Foundation at 812-888-4510, or online at vinu.edu/foundation.
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LINK to VU Online Newsroom, click HERE
VICKIE PUFFER, Communications Coordinator & Online Newsroom
Manager
812-888-4162 office, 812-887-4635 cell,
VUNews@vinu.edu, vpuffer@vinu.edu
MARCIA MARTINEZ, University
Life Reporter & Sports Information Director
812-888-4164
office, 314-599-1519 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, mmartinez@vinu.edu
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, Department of University Relations, www.vinu.edu/newsroom