Dr. Donald F. Whalen
Scholarship Endowment
An opportunity to contribute to
athletic and general scholarships
About Dr. Donald F. Whalen
President Emeritus Dr. Donald F. Whalen has touched the lives of hundreds of Fort Lewis College students and alumni. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Whalen received bachelor and master of arts degrees from the University of Arizona. After three years of teaching and coaching basketball at Yuma City, Calif., he received his doctorate in health education from Indiana University, and began his long career at Fort Lewis College.
He coached the men’s basketball team from 1959-70 and added duties as head golf coach and Director of Athletics from 1962-70. Dr. Whalen’s 1969 golf team was the first Fort Lewis College team in any sport to win a league championship after the college became a four-year institution in 1962. The team was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000, making Dr. Whalen one of two individuals to be inducted as head coach and as part of the team.
In 1970, Dr. Whalen became dean of the School of Education and held the position until 1983. Dr. Whalen served as vice president for student affairs and held a number of other important administrative roles during his tenure at Fort Lewis College. In late 1984, with the announcement of the retirement of President Rexer Berndt, Dr. Whalen agreed to serve as acting president for the college. He was again called upon to serve as acting president in 1986, and provided leadership through financially troubled times for the next 18 months until his retirement in 1988.
Although he retired from Fort Lewis College in 1988, he has remained an active part of the campus and Durango community. In 1989 the Don Whalen/Tamarron Presidential Scholarship Golf Tournament was established to raise funds for scholarships.
Dr. Whalen has been married to Pauline Whalen for 52 years. They have two sons and daughter-in-laws, Dann Whalen and Patricia Smith and Gary and Terri Whalen, all graduates of Fort Lewis College. They also have four grandchildren. |
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Donald F. Whalen Scholarship
History of the Dr. Donald F. Whalen Scholarship
In 1989, the first Don Whalen/Tamarron Golf Tournament was held with a myriad of alumni and college staffers launching a tournament and scholarship campaign to recognize and pay tribute to Dr. Donald F. Whalen, a man who has made lasting contributions to Fort Lewis College. The vision of the founders of the golf tournament was to build a lasting scholarship legacy to assist future generations of Fort Lewis College students and to eventually place a name on a building on the Fort Lewis College campus.
The tournament became quite successful because of the dedication and leadership of Harlan Steinle, Class of 1968, and as a result, the scholarship endowment has reached approximately $200,000 today. It was Don Whalen’s wish that the scholarship monies from the golf tournament go for scholarships in all academic disciplines.
Current Status
Fort Lewis College President Robert Dolphin, Jr. believed with the recent remodel of the Fort Lewis College gymnasium, it was now time to place Dr. Whalen’s name on the gymnasium. President Dolphin voiced the importance of being able to celebrate Don Whalen’s devotion to the campus and Durango area communities.
A committee has been formed consisting of alumni, Foundation and Talon Club members to provide leadership to Fort Lewis College to establish a stronger base of scholarship support to assist future generations of students. |
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Endowment
What is an endowment?
An endowment fund maintains a principal amount that perpetuates interest income on an annual basis. A donation to an endowment fund is a permanent gift that sustains itself, and only investment earnings are used to support scholarships.
Why does Fort Lewis College Athletics need an endowment?
The Fort Lewis College athletic program is growing in the academic quality of the student athletes and their competitive ability in NCAA Divsion II sports. The athletic program is in need of endowed scholarships as Colorado funding support for higher education continues to decline. As a result, the budget and scholarship funds have been reduced in the department of athletics. Compared to the 13 other institutions in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Fort Lewis College ranks among the lowest in the number of scholarships granted.
Data from the National Student Clearinghouse shows the “Success Rate” (defined as graduation or continuation in higher education) of Fort Lewis College student athletes is 90%, compared to 75.7% of the general student population. Scholarships will allow us to continue or improve this success rate for all Fort Lewis College students. |
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Pledge Card
In recognition and celebration of decades of progress that Fort Lewis College has experienced under the capable vision and direction of Dr. Donald F. Whalen, an endowed scholarship fund has been established in his honor with gifts from those who have shared his vision and are proud of the legacy he has left to Fort Lewis College.
Donations and pledges can be made to one of two funds, or split between both funds. Donations can be donated to a specific scholarship fund or academic department in honor of Dr. Whalen or can be earmarked to a particular athletic department sport or activity.
Restricted donations will be charged 10% administrative fee, with the proceeds going back to the general scholarship fund to build these funds. Please review the donation options below:
Pledge of
_____$5,000 _____$1,000 _____$500 _____$100 Other Amount $_________
Pledge Duration
_____5 years _____4 years _____3 years _____2 years _____ 1 year
Enclosed is my gift of $_____ as an outright donation.
Please credit my pledge/donation to:
_____ Don Whalen Endowed Scholarships (Athletics)
_____ Don Whalen Endowed Scholarships (General)
Please earmark my gift for the following:
_____ General Academic Department (specify____________________)
_____ Athletic Scholarship (sport______________________)
Please make checks payable to Fort Lewis College Foundation and mail to:
Fort Lewis College Foundation
210 Kroeger Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colo. 81301
We accept American Express, Master Card and Visa.
CC #:___________________________________________________________
Expiration Date:__________________________________________________
Signature:_______________________________________________________
Print Name:______________________________________________________
SSN (For ID Purposes Only) _________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Daytime Phone ___________________________________________________
Email Address ___________________________________________________ |
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For more information on the
Dr. Donald F. Whalen Scholarship Endowment, please contact
Sandy Jameson at:
210 Kroeger Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Fort Lewis College
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-7121
rochford_s@fortlewis.edu |
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