EMILY's List Founder Endows Scholarship

Ellen Malcolm '69, founder of EMILY's List, a national organization that recruits and funds viable women political candidates, has made a substantial pledge to establish the Morning Star Scholarship for undergraduate students raised by single parents. The scholarship will be available beginning in fall 2010. In explaining her reason for establishing the scholarship, Malcolm said, "Today there are many families headed by single parents. They have the same dreams for their daughters but often half the income. I hope this fund will help these girls afford the first-class education that Hollins provides."

Malcolm, who was awarded the Hollins Distinguished Alumnae Award at her fortieth Hollins reunion, will deliver the Founder's Day address in 2010. She graduated from Hollins with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and received a master of business administration degree from George Washington University. Hollins awarded her an honorary doctor of humane letters degree in 1992.

Alumna Gift Names the Chapel Lawn

The lawn in front of the Jesse Ball duPont Chapel has a name now: the Helen Moncure Dillon Lawn. A plaque placed on the lawn recognizes Mrs. Dillon of Roanoke, a member of the Class of 1952, for her generosity in making a gift to establish two endowments – one to support general campus landscaping and one to help fund the First-Year Experience program. Mrs. Dillon was guided in making her gifts by her son, Stuart Dillon of Roanoke, who shared with her how much joy he derives from supporting his alma mater, Virginia Tech. Both of Mrs. Dillon's gifts support priorities of the Campaign for Women Who Are Going Places.

Tribute to Louis D. Rubin, Jr.

Some of the best writers in the country gathered at Hollins in early November 2009 to honor their former teacher and mentor Louis D. Rubin, Jr. and celebrate fifty years of the creative writing graduate program he founded at Hollins.

Rubin was lured to Hollins by an invitation to celebrate the program's anniversary; however, once the evening's festivities got under way in the Botetourt Reading Room, the deeper meaning of the gathering was revealed. Creative writing alumni, Hollins trustees, the English and creative writing staff, and friends were there to pay homage to Rubin and his successors, especially John Rees Moore and Richard Dillard.

Trustee Wyndham Robertson '58, who claims to have been Rubin's first student, showered confetti on Rubin and announced that those in the room and many others had responded to a fund-raising appeal from Lee Smith '67 and Shannon Ravenel '60 to raise $100,000 to endow The Hollins Critic and name a seminar room in Swannanoa Hall, home of the creative program, in Rubin's honor. Thanks to lead donors Ted and Carol Bayne Price '66 and the other donors, the effort was a great success, with more than $146,000 contributed. In addition to naming the room and endowing the Critic, the gift also funded creation of a wall on the first floor of Swannanoa Hall, which lists all the Hollins writers-in-residence, who since 2000 have been known as the Louis D. Rubin, Jr. Writers-in-Residence.

Photos from the event >>

Second Endowed Scholarship from Betty Stall

Elizabeth "Betty" Peace Stall '53, a former Hollins trustee from Greenville, South Carolina, believes in scholarships and in giving back to her college. For the second time she has put her money where her convictions are and established a scholarship for students wishing to attend Hollins. The Elizabeth Peace Stall Endowed Scholarship is secured with a five-year, $500,000 campaign pledge.

The Stall Scholarship is completely open and may be awarded on the basis of financial need, merit, or both to a student of any discipline. During the previous campaign (1992-1997) Stall established the Frances Peace Graham '36 Scholarship, in honor of her aunt, to provide need-based financial aid to students with community service experience and a strong potential to contribute to Hollins' student service programs.

In explaining why she started the new scholarship, Stall said, "Hollins shaped my life and opened doors inviting my mind to explore. I want other young women to have the same opportunities for growth and self discovery. Especially in these times they need help to do that."

Stall served ten years as a Hollins trustee and was awarded the Hollins Medal in 2005, for her financial generosity and volunteer support to Hollins and her community.

Belk Challenge for International Scholars Endowment

For the second time in the past eight months, Hollins has accepted a challenge from the John M. Belk Educational Endowment to raise $500,000 in order to receive a matching grant of the same amount. Hollins will receive the funds provided the university is successful in raising an equal amount in gifts and pledges by June 30, 2010. The grant and matching funds will support the Claudia Watkins Belk International Scholars Endowment, which offers deserving Hollins students the chance to study abroad for a semester or a year, participate in an international experience during the university's January Short Term, or engage in community service or career internship placements abroad.

Read more >>

Theatre Renovation Thanks to McDonnell Family

Hollins is embarking on a comprehensive renovation of its theatre, thanks to a $3 million commitment from the James S. McDonnell Family Foundation. Hollins will receive $1 million annually from the foundation over the next three years, beginning in 2009.

Based in Lincoln, Massachusetts, the James S. McDonnell Family Foundation is named for the noted aviation pioneer and founder of McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, which later became McDonnell Douglas Corporation. The organization's mission is to support scientific, educational, and charitable causes locally, nationally, and internationally. McDonnell’s daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Hall McDonnell, is a member of Hollins' Class of 1962 and currently serves on the university's Board of Trustees. Her husband, James S. McDonnell III, is a member of the foundation's Board of Directors.

Read more >>

Photos of the renovation >>

A Texas Sized Challenge to Hollins Alumnae and Friends

Texas philanthropist and Hollins son and grandson Robert Priddy of Wichita Falls has issued a challenge to all Texas alumnae, graduate alumni, current and past parents, and friends to raise $100,000 in new gifts to the Hollins Fund by December 31, 2010.  If we are successful, Mr. Priddy will match that amount, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000.

Read more >>