Varchetto Leaves a Legacy for the Future of His Beloved Davis & Elkins College Burky Scholarships Aid Local Freshmen

Burky Scholarships Aid Local Freshmen

Two Davis & Elkins College freshmen, Emily Marple and Katelyn Leary, both of Randolph County, have additional financial assurance as the 2020 recipients of the William H. Burky Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was created in memory of William H. Burky, son of the late Ralph and Elsie Burky. A native of Pickens and the 1972 valedictorian of Pickens School, Burky graduated cum laude from Davis & Elkins College in 1976 and received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. He passed away in 1981. The scholarship was first established in 1997 to assist one student and just this summer was expanded to include two students. Selection is based upon need, strong moral character and academic achievement. Students from West Virginia, preferably Randolph County, are eligible to apply. Marple, a resident of Harman, says she was surprised and excited to learn she had received the scholarship. “College is a big expense and this has really helped take down the cost,” she said. “I really want to thank them for selecting me.” A first-generation student, Marple is the daughter of Jackie Mullenax and Jeremy Marple. In high school, she was the salutatorian of her graduating class, a member of the basketball team, FBLA and National Honor Society. She also was a student in the Davis & Elkins College Upward Bound program for three years. At D&E, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. “I want to help others; I don’t like to see people suffer,” Marple said, adding that she has a special interest in obstetrics. Leary, a native of Elkins, is studying elementary education with hopes of teaching in grades one through three. “Since I was in ninth grade, I’ve wanted to be a teacher,” Leary said. “All my positive role models were my teachers and I want to be like them. I think I will enjoy teaching because I get really excited when someone understands something I’m explaining to them.” Also a first-generation student, Leary is the daughter of Julie and Billy Leary of Elkins. While a student at Elkins High School, she was a member of the band, honor guard, Tigerettes and color guard. Leary said she was surprised to be selected for the Burky Scholarship and the award has provided encouragement. “I feel incredibly lucky and honored,” Leary said. “I appreciate what the Burky family has been doing by awarding scholarships. I’d like to meet them in person and thank them.”

Burky Scholar Emily Marple Burky Scholar Katelyn Leary

CARES Act Offers Tax Benefit

Did you know that the CARES Act includes a tax benefit for donations to non-profit organizations? Those who itemize their tax returns may claim 100% of their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) in charitable donations for the 2020 tax year. This is an adjustment from the traditional 60% allowable deduction. If filing with the standard deduction, up to $300 of the AGI can be deducted without itemizing. These new tax benefits are in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and may not be offered beyond the 2020 tax year. As a certified non-profit organization, gifts to Davis & Elkins College are tax deductible.

Although D&E gatherings were put on hold early in the spring, we certainly started the year off with a bang as D&E’s 2020 Snowbird Tour traveled to Arizona, Jan. 21-22, and to Florida, Jan. 29-30 and Feb. 8-11.

Starting on Jan. 21 in Arizona, the Briarwood Country Club in Sun City West, was the perfect venue for lunch with Bill Jones ’51 and his wife, Jo; President Chris A. Wood; Lindsay and Dave Whitmoyer ’67; Kelvin ’69 and Mary Vine Langley ’70; Mary White ’70 and Chuck Kerzan; Senior Director for Institutional Advancement Cathy Nosel; Kala Maddox; and Director of Alumni Engagement and Support Wendy Morgan ’12. Next stop ... Chandler, Arizona.

Stop No. 2 found us in Chandler, Arizona, at the Chop House. Everyone enjoyed a lovely dinner, great conversation and wonderful memories. Those joining President Chris A. Wood, Cathy Nosel and Wendy Morgan ’12 were Joe Harris ’63, Beverly Kaufman ’74, Kala Maddox, Paula and Hux Madeheim ’62, Lee Murray ’65, Harry Reed ’58, Bob Doyle ’70, and Kathy and Mike Judge ’74.

The final stop in the first series of D&E’s 2020 Snowbird Tour came to a close at Trattoria Pina in Tucson, Arizona. It was a perfect evening for dinner with alumni and friends. Those joining President Chris A. Wood, Cathy Nosel and Wendy Morgan ’12 for food and fellowship were Len ’63 and Sandy Moore Rudnick ’63, Caitlin Cole ’19, Tim Fantry ’14, George and Lori Fantry, and Richard Wilfong ’64. Next up....

...seven stops in Florida! Beginning in Ormond Beach, it was a wonderful dinner at Stonewood Grill & Tavern with Vice President for Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement Dr. Rosemary Thomas. Those joining Dr. Thomas were Anita Talbott ’83, Gary Benson ’73, Dale and Ellen Mills Smith ’69, and Babs Condon.

And then, it was on to Boca Winter Park in Winter Park, Florida, for great food and fellowship with Marquita DeLorme Anderson ’67; Ed Langolf ’76 and wife, Pat; Linda Keller-Zierold ’69 and husband, Ed; Dr. Rosemary Thomas; Babs Condon; Cindy Jenkins and Mary Jo Thomas. Next, we enjoyed a lovely evening at the Farmer’s Table in Boca Raton, Florida, with President Chris A. Wood, Cathy Nosel, Wendy Morgan ’12, Terry and Preston Thomas ’71, Steve ’93 and Karen Cadwallader Wilkens ’94, LuElla “Sunny” Everett Rutherford ’56, David Duffy and Amy Ouellette ’96, David Simms ’85, Dick ’61 and Sue Ellen Russell Brown ’64, and Connie Sayre-Bahnsen ’64.

After a hop, skip and jump across Alligator Alley, the D&E 2020 Snowbird Tour landed in Naples for a delightful brunch with alumni and friends at the Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar. Those joining President Chris A. Wood, Cathy Nosel and Wendy Morgan ’12 for the afternoon were Bob and Dottie Herring Wamsley ’61, Dick ’63 and Arlene Seybolt, Chris ’71 and Linda Spade, Linda Cross, Janice Baker, Steve and Jean Jory, Sandy Grahame, Judie Smith, Bob ’67 and Ann Baird ’88, Scotty ’72 and Anita Norton Smyth ’69, Drew ’77 and Alice Sigler Malfi ’78, Mark Barber ’75 and Jenni Caves.

Traveling up the Gulf Coast, our next stop was Mar-Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub in Longboat Key. It was the perfect day for lunch with great friends, and WOW! What a view! Attending were President Chris A. Wood, Cathy Nosel, Wendy Morgan ’12, Ray Snyder ’69, Kathy Cordero Hultquist ’68, Paige McNeil ’14, Bob and Nancy Douglas, Rob Beckwith ’67 and Stewart Macsherry ’66. Next, we traveled to …

… Lakeland, Florida, for a wonderful dinner at the Grillsmith restaurant. It was a lovely evening filled with great conversation and many memories. Those joining President Chris A. Wood, Cathy Nosel and Wendy Morgan ’12 were Jim Douglas ’63, Dave ’71 and Diane Weese Buerger ’71, and Barbara and Dick Huggins ’60.

Last stop for D&E’s 2020 Snowbird Tour was in The Villages, and, once again, the Havana Country Club provided the perfect location for great food, fun and fellowship with President Chris A. Wood. Attending were Pat Margulis and David Rutherford, Gus ’71 and Carol Cliff Bruno ’71, Dianne and Lee Levering ’58, George Scott ’62, Haydee Britton ’71, Gail Sneddon Simon ’68 and Bobby Bragg, Jack McDonald ’60, Judy Mewha Jack ’62, Peggy and Gary Murphy ’60, Heather Jack Antolini ’84, Cathy Nosel, Jean and Stuart Hendler ’57, and Wendy Morgan ’12. So very many thanks to all for being a part of such a special Snowbird Tour.

As the West Virginia hills welcomed us home, we were back on the road traveling to Martinsburg’s Brix 27 on Feb. 19 and to the Primanti Bros. in Clarksburg on Feb. 29 where alumni and friends met with prospective students and members of our Admission Team. Those attending the Martinsburg event were: Enrollment Advisor Derek Tennant, Director for Student Recruitment and Success Angie Scott, Director for Alumni Engagement and Support Wendy Morgan ’12, Steve Fortino ’04, Sierra Kelley ’18, Pete Dougherty ’75, Hannah Carl ’16 and Jennifer Lantz. Those joining in Clarksburg were: Christian Scott ’16, Paige Fisher ’18, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement Dr. Rosemary Thomas, Wendy Morgan ’12, Angie Scott, Heather Rogers, Hope Rogers, Chelsea Faris ’17, Kelsie Roby ’19, Parker ’10 and Jordan Hall Kwafo ’12, Ama Kwafo, Kim Farry ’85, John Kolodziej, Mike Thomas, Hannah Hoffman, Patty and Don Cover ’79, and Director of Enrollment Technology Matt Shiflett ’96. As we welcome new students Jennifer Lantz and Hope Rogers to our D&E family, we hope to see you the next time we are in YOUR area.