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Advancing Northwest
Legacy of a loyal Bearcat
The family of the late Chuck Place ’72, a former Northwest Foundation Board President, Phi Sig, philanthropist and Bearcat football fanatic, has created a scholarship in his memory.
Keeping alive the spirit of a loyal and enthusiastic Bearcat and celebrating his values is the premise behind the scholarship created in memory of Chuck Place ’72. Place passed away in 2009 after a battle with cancer. He was an astute businessman and in retirement dedicated his life to philanthropy, including serving as the president of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors. Place, the 2003 recipient of the Northwest Alumni Association Turret Award, was president of Place’s Discount Stores until his retirement in 2000. Previously, he was a CPA with
McGladrey and Pullen. “It was one of the great joys of Dad’s life to be associated with the amazing group of people that are the faculty, staff, students and alumni of Northwest,” said his son Ted Place ’99. To preserve his legacy and to continue to give back to their alma mater, Place’s family established the Charles M. Place Memorial Scholarship through the Northwest Foundation. Place was an accounting major at Northwest, so his family thought it was fitting to establish the scholarship for Northwest students majoring in accounting, economics or finance. Preference will be given to students from Place’s hometown of Albany. Applicants must also demonstrate leadership in campus organizations as well as financial need. “We believe that investing
in the University is a responsibility of each member of the Northwest family, and helping students financially is a great way to pass what Northwest has given us on to the next generation,” Ted Place said. “Chuck’s family has created another opportunity to help ease the financial burden of a Northwest student while encouraging them to get involved in their campus community, just like he did,” said Polly Parsons Howard ’00, ’09, a development officer for the Northwest Foundation. “The Place family hopes that gifts like theirs will continue to inspire other alumni to give back in the same way.” To contribute to, or learn more about, the Charles M. Place Memorial Scholarship, contact Polly Howard at pollyh@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1248. n
Gray estate gift to benefit Northwest music majors Living in the Nodaway County area, Forrest and Lucile Gray always considered Northwest a significant part of their community. Additionally, it was the couple’s desire to enable deserving students the opportunity to pursue higher education. As a result, Northwest recently received a gift of more than $117,000 from the Gray estate for an endowed scholarship. The Forrest Gray and Lucile Gray Scholarship will be awarded to a fulltime Northwest student who has declared a major in music, with a preference to instrumentalists. Throughout Lucile Gray’s life, music was close to her heart. She played the trumpet in her high school band and orchestra as well as at solo performances at the Hopkins Christian Church.
Northwest Alumni Magazine
“As the Grays watched the University grow, so did their interest in the performing arts that the University offered,” said Teresa Gustafson ’97, ’05, director of strategic donor development. “They appreciated what the University brought to Maryville in the field of education as well as what it contributed to the community. We are honored that they chose to remember Northwest and its students in their estate.” Northwest music majors will benefit from an endowed scholarship established from the estate of Lucile and Forrest Gray. For more information about the Forrest Gray and Lucile Gray Scholarship, contact Teresa Gustafson at teresa@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1248. n
Spring 2012