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Donor Stories

Dr. Madie Barret

After 47 years in New Hampshire, Dr. Barrett retained the graceful accent of her Alabama home. She created the Foreign Language Department in 1956, and for 25 years guided the department while teaching French, Spanish, linguistics and foreign language pedagogy. In 1981, she became Dean of the College, later serving as interim president. "My years at Plymouth were very special to me. … I've reached a point in my life where I'm putting together my estate plan, and I'm making Plymouth a part of that. I've already started by making a gift to set up a pooled income fund. The proceeds of that fund will eventually be joined with a scholarship endowment to benefit foreign language students," said Madie. "It gives me great pleasure to have the capacity to do this for Plymouth State, and it will connect me forever with the institution. Now, that's a legacy." Madie passed away on January 28, 2005. Her plans will now be fulfilled for the institution that meant so much to her during her life.

Richard "R.E." Collins

The late R.E. Collins sponsored the first floor lobby of the new Boyd Hall and the construction of a student art gallery in addition to his countless gifts and support to the arts at Plymouth State. He had a long and distinguished career in business and education in New Hampshire and Maine. He taught for more than 15 years at the high school level in both Maine and New Hampshire. A native of Kenilworth, N.J., R.E. received a bachelor's degree from Keene State College. He moved to Alton, N.H., when he retired in 1980.

R.E. included Plymouth State University in his estate planning by naming the University as the beneficiary of a trust.

Joan Cook '69

"When I was a student I remember seeing the alumni who would come back to campus for events and programs. I thought that they were part of the past of Plymouth State University. Now, as an alumna coming back to campus I realize that I am a part of Plymouth's future."

In addition to being active with the Plymouth State University President's Council and supporting the Expanding Our Reach campaign, Joan has named PSU as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy that will ultimately support endowment.

Richard and Carol Flate Gerken ’67

Richard and Carol Flate Gerken ’67 recently established the Raise the Curtain Endowment Fund to benefit the performing arts at Plymouth State University and the surrounding community. Several years ago they funded the Children’s Library Collection in Lamson Library, and they are members of the PSU Heritage Society with a planned gift to the University. A charter member of the President’s Council, Carol currently chairs the Stewardship Committee and has been integral in the Expanding Our Reach Campaign. “The vision of President Wharton, exemplified by the renovated Boyd Hall and the campaign for university status has inspired alumni, faculty and friends to participate in the growth of the University. It is so exciting to be part of the process and to see such tangible results.”

Wally Stevens '62

(PSC President's Council) best expresses the spirit of the Expanding Our Reach campaign: to share the power of transformation through education. As president of Slade Gorton Company in Boston, Wally credits Plymouth with putting him on his career path. Wally and Meredith inspired their class to undertake a 50th reunion gift campaign with a goal of $100,000. "I value my education at PSC now perhaps more than I did then," Wally says. "There were a number of individuals who influenced me, my values and ethics: Norton Bagley, Karl Drerup, Regis Horace, Judge Ernst. And then of course, Plymouth is where I met my wife. It's nice for us to be in a position, at this point in our careers, where we can give something back to Plymouth."

Recently Wally and Meredith became members of the PSU Heritage Society when they named PSU as the beneficiary on two life insurance policies. Eventually, these gifts will be added to the Class of 1962 Scholarship Endowment.