Endowments and Stakeholders
Endowments and Stakeholders
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The Duncan Family Endowment
Central Washington University alumni Don and Verna Duncan have spent their lives championing education and philanthropy.
They have received numerous awards and recognition for their endeavors, including:
- CWU Distinguished Alumni Award (Don)
- Phi Delta Kappa Distinguished Service Award (Don)
- Monmouth-Independence [Oregon] Elementary Teacher of the Year Award (Verna)
- Monmouth-Independence First Citizens Award (both).
A study room at Western Oregon University (WOU) and a flute room at CWU are also named after the Duncans.
The Duncans have had long careers in education. Verna worked as an elementary teacher for 23 years. Don held numerous positions in higher education throughout his career, such as Dean of Men and Students at CWU, Dean of Education and Psychology at WOU and Professor Emeritus of Special Education at WOU. Don also served as a coordinator and district representative for Phi Delta Kappa.
In 1980, the Duncans used a small inheritance to create a scholarship in their parents’ names through the Western Oregon University Foundation. This act sparked an ever-growing devotion to providing financial support for educational endeavors. They have funded support programs for classroom enrichment through the Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation, for Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars through the Rotary Foundation, and scholarships such as the Don and Verna Duncan Community Service Scholarship at CWU. Ever thinking forward, the Duncans have planned for funding of the scholarship and neighborhood obligations to continue well into the future.
In recognition of their efforts, the library at WOU contains a Donald and Verna Duncan Group Study Room. In 2007, CWU’s Center for Civic Engagement was named in their honor.
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David Wain Coon Center for Excellence in Leadership
David Wain Coon, Ed.D. became College of Marin’s 10th Superintendent/President in December 2010. Throughout his 30-year career in higher education, Dr. Coon has been recognized for his leadership locally, regionally and nationally. He came to Marin following five successful years as President of Evergreen Valley College in San Jose where he championed a richly diverse student body and was recognized for being an inclusive and collaborative leader. Prior to Evergreen Valley College, Dr. Coon held several high-level administrative positions at various colleges in Washington State.
During his tenure at the College of Marin, Dr. Coon has successfully presided over two facilities modernization programs in excess of $515 million, tackled a long history of acrimonious labor relations with a willingness to listen to all constituent groups and energized partnership opportunities with Marin County schools and nonprofits. Dr. Coon has had the unprecedented opportunity to hire a majority of full-time faculty across many disciplines at the College of Marin.
With a continued focus on social justice, Dr. Coon serves as co-chair to the Marin Promise Partnership with a focus on closing equity gaps in Marin County. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Coon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Public Relations from Central Washington University, a Master of Education degree in Student Personnel Administration from Western Washington University, and a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Organization Development from Seattle University.
In 2016, Dr. Coon was presented with the Special Achievement Award by the Central Washington University Alumni Association. In May 2007, Central Washington University dedicated the David Wain Coon Center for Excellence in Leadership.
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Don and Verna Duncan Community Service Scholarship
The Don & Verna Duncan Scholarship is for CWU students who are actively involved in community-based service initiatives.
Requirements:
- Full-time CWU student
- Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing
- Actively involved in service work both on and off campus
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
Application Process:
Complete the General Scholarship Application through your MyCWU account by February 1st and complete your FAFSA no later than February 1st.
If you are qualified to be considered for this scholarship, you will need to submit the following to your General Scholarship Application account by February 1st:
- 1,000+ word, double-spaced, typed essay conveying:
- What local, national, and/or global challenges have dedicated your time and/or education to and why do you feel these issues deserve your attention?
- How do your academic coursework and leadership opportunities poise you to provide meaningful service to your community?
- Why do you think it is important for Central Washington University students to be civically active scholars?
- What is your voluntary service experience(s) through the Don and Verna Duncan Center for Leadership and Community Engagement?
For more information about the scholarship, contact or visit the financial aid office at:
CWU Financial Aid Office
400 E University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7504Phone: (509) 963-1611
Fax: (509) 963-1788
Email: finaid@cwu.edu
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