Gifts to KWU reflect the heart of their donors

MEDIA CONTACT: Leslie Eikleberry, Director of Public Relations, 785-827-5541 ext. 1227

May 8, 2008

Sometimes the more unassuming people in the world are the ones who make the greatest impact on the lives of others. Such is the case of the late Wilma and Cecil Davis and Susan McDonald, who collectively contributed nearly $1 million to Kansas Wesleyan University to benefit students for years to come.

The University recently celebrated the lives and contributions of these extraordinary individuals during its annual Founders Day celebration at the Salina Country Club. The event was attended by members of the University’s Heritage Society, Board of Trustees members, University officials, and students who have benefited from scholarship donations. KWU Heritage Society members are recognized for including Kansas Wesleyan University in their estate plans, establishing an endowed scholarship, or both.

Both the Davises, a local couple, and McDonald, a Kansas Wesleyan alumna who lived in California,  made estate gifts to the University that were settled during the past fiscal year. Darin Russell, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, said that the Davises’ gift of approximately $200,000 would be used for scholarships while McDonald’s gift of nearly $750,000 would be used to help pay for the University’s new Student Activities Center.

Trisha Marietta, who had been a friend of the Davises, told the Founders Day group that Cecil Davis was born on January 6, 1911, and grew up on a farm near Bavaria, Kansas. Wilma Davis was born on August 27, 1913, and grew up on a farm near Tescott, Kansas.

“Life on the farm taught them many lessons,” Marietta said. “They learned how to work hard, how to make something out of nothing, how to repair almost anything, and the value of a dollar.”

Marietta said that one of Wilma’s jobs as a child was to gather eggs, a job she didn’t care for.  As she grew, she helped tend the family’s garden and helped cook for the family and the harvest crews.

In addition to helping with the family farm, Cecil also served the United States in World War II.

The couple was married in 1957 after dating for about 20 years. Marietta explained that the long courtship was the result of Cecil living at home and helping his parents. After they married, Wilma cleaned houses and Cecil worked at the Western Star Mill in Salina.

“They were great neighbors and well liked by everyone. Wilma loved to visit and knew all of her neighbors by name, their children, what their employment was, and anything else she could glean from them,” Marietta said.

She added that Cecil and Wilma were both extremely honest people.

“When Wilma would find money while cleaning, she would make sure her employer knew she found it and how much,” Marietta added as an example.

Marietta said her family came to know the Davises when Wilma started working for her parents in 1959.

“She received quite an education caring for the six of us,” Marietta said. “We made up for the fact that they never had children and they became a part of our family.”

Marietta said the Davises always gave from the heart.

“Our family will always remember the awesome pecan rolls they brought every Christmas, the homemade popcorn balls, and the seasoned flour Cec brought us from the Western Star Mill,” she said.

Marietta explained that having grown up in the Depression, the Davises were frugal people and never spent money unnecessarily.

“It is because of their spending and saving habits that they were able to leave this sizable gift to Kansas Wesleyan. They are a great example of how two people of very modest means were able to accomplish a great thing simply by living carefully and saving well,” Marietta said.

Although the Davises never went to college, they both valued education.

“Wilma also worked for our grandmother, Lulu Marietta. Both she and her husband, C.O., were KWU graduates. Her uncle, T.W. Roach, was a president of KWU. Our mother and her sisters, as well as two of us kids graduated from KWU,” Marietta said.

“Was this the reason they left this wonderful gift? We’ll never know,” she added. “But we do know, because of their saving, sacrifice, and generosity, they will live on in the countless students who receive their gift of an education.”

Cecil Davis died June 19, 1986. He was 75 years old. Wilma Davis died November 28, 2005. She was 92 years old.

Susan McDonald

Kansas Wesleyan University alumna Susan McDonald had a zest for life. She also had a love for her alma mater.

The following information was provided to Kansas Wesleyan by a friend of McDonald’s.

Susan M. McDonald was born in Kansas February 11, 1906. She was one of six children – brothers Francis, Donald, Paul; sisters Margaret and Ruth.

After graduating from high school (in 1924) she attended Kansas Wesleyan University and then taught in a grade school. But the city – Kansas City – was more exciting and interesting. She applied for and was hired as a saleslady at I. Magnin for the cosmetic department. Vacation was a trip around the world with no stop-overs, which proved her love of travel. The next vacation was a visit at San Francisco, California, and its charm and appeal said “California, here I come!” She then transferred to I. Magnin (in San Francisco) where she continued working for about 28 years. A gold wristwatch and gold angel pin were presented to her for years of service. Again the world called and away she flew around it but on a different route than before. After retirement, her traveling was done by long daily walks.

McDonald died January 26, 2006, just a week before her 99th birthday.