winter 2009-2010 - The University of Scranton

Estate Gift Will Endow
Two Faculty Chairs
The University has received an estate gift that
will fully endow two faculty chair positions. Robert
McDevitt, a well-known proponent of Jesuit
higher education, passed away on September 22,
2008. McDevitt was preceded in death by his
wife, Catherine, by just five months. McDevitt
and his wife had arranged for a planned estate
gift to the University to honor their longtime
friend, the late Rev. Dexter Hanley, S.J., former
president of The University of Scranton.
The McDevitt estate gift will be used to
establish The Robert L. McDevitt and Catherine
H. McDevitt Endowed Chair in Theology and
The Robert L. McDevitt and Catherine H.
McDevitt Endowed Chair in Philosophy, both
in honor of the late Rev. Dexter Hanley, S.J.
The McDevitts were third-generation owners
and operators of the McDevitt Brothers Funeral
Home in Binghamton, N.Y. Mr. McDevitt accumulated
much of his wealth through the savvy
investment of IBM stock, which he inherited
from his mother who worked as secretary to A.
Ward Ford, founder of a company that eventually
became part of IBM. It was this respect for
IBM investments that served him well in later
years.
While a student at Georgetown University,
McDevitt befriended fellow classmate Dexter
Hanley. Dexter Hanley went on to become a
Jesuit and, eventually, president of The University
of Scranton from 1970-1975.
The McDevitt/Hanley friendship lasted a
lifetime. When Fr. Hanley passed away in 1977,
McDevitt served as pallbearer. Shortly thereafter,
the McDevitts endowed a scholarship at Scranton
to commemorate their dear friend.
The William and Elizabeth Burkavage Fellowship
in Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
William J. and Judith G. Burkavage and
Burkavage Design Associates, Clarks Summit,
have long been committed to social responsibility
and sustainability. When contemplating their
commitment at The University of Scranton, the
Burkavages sought ways for the University to
address the growing need for socially responsible
leaders. Bill and Judy’s vision for shaping the
future business leaders studying at the University
culminated in the establishment of The William
and Elizabeth Burkavage Fellowship in Business
Ethics and Social Responsibility, in honor of
Bill’s parents, William and Elizabeth Burkavage.
The first Burkavage Fellow will be welcomed to
our campus in the fall of 2010.
With years of business experience to draw
upon, the Burkavages have a keen understanding
of the ethical issues facing business people in
today’s marketplace. In recognition of their belief
that successful business and socially responsible
business are not contradictory concepts, The
William and Elizabeth Burkavage Fellowship in
Business Ethics and Social Responsibility funds
faculty in the exploration of business ethics. This
fellowship is clearly aligned with the University’s
liberal arts and business curriculum.
The William and Elizabeth Burkavage Fellowship
in Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
will promote academic excellence at the University
and encourage intellectual curiosity across
academic disciplines. The University of Scranton
is proud to partner with William and Judith
Burkavage and Burkavage Design Associates,
whose generous support of our Jesuit mission
enhances the educational experiences of our students
and serves as an example of the Jesuit ideal
of service to others.
We’re Building
up to Something.
9
PridePassionPromiseCampaign
Find out more in January.
Check your mail in the new year to find out how you can be part
of the Pride, Passion and Promise at The University of Scranton.