Our Charity

The Joan Elizabeth Turner Memorial Scholarship Fund
The University of Charleston Office of Development
2300 MacCorkle Avenue, S.E.
Charleston, West Virginia 25304
Telephone: 304.357.4925

November 25, 1998

The Endowment Committee

Ann (Turner) Johnson, Chair
Laura (Horn) Wilson. Vice-Chair
Catherine Kawash, Treasurer
Rob Clemenz, Secretary
The Initial Donors

Susan (Kawash) Aiello
John & Gwen Algozzini
David A. "Splash" Blashford
Dorothy Buckl
Ken Callahan
Deronah Kim (White) Ciotta
Kevin & Shirel Clemenz
Peter & Kathleen Clemenz
Rob Clemenz
Katie (Nabers) Courtnier
Mary Catherine (Coburn) Dyke
John* & Judy (Mowry) Comerford
Alice deBen
Gail Francolini
Colleen Hughes
Jack & Susanne Jernigan
Agnes Kawash
Catherine Kawash
Michael Kawash
Steve Kawash
Maureen (Cullen) Keenan
Olivia Klee
David Kurtz
Pamela Lolan
Mary Catherine Lowder Bailey
Lori (Jett) Matthews
 The Initial Donors (cont.)

Katie McKown
Greg McCollam
C.T. & Merewyn Meadors
Mark E. Miller
Kathy (O'Brien) Muldoon ("K.O.B.")
UC Athletic Director Tom Nozica
Marcia (Heavner) Pittman
Sister Helen Prejean
Rob & Vanessa Pumo
Steve & Elsa Riley
Douglas & Carol Sherwood
Michelle Shocked & Bart Bull
The Sisters of Saint Joseph
David Smith
The "Tom's House" Band
Glenn & Margie (Nicholson) Turkett
Glenn R. Vesh
Douglas & Barbara Walters
Robert "Wheels" Wehrmeyer
David C. Whitmore
Mike & Laura (Horn) Wilson
"Rowdie" Deb Woessner
Constance (Kawash) Wood
and The Turner Family

*Denotes the 1st recipient (1982) of
the original Joan Elizabeth Turner Scholarship

 

Dear Morris Harvey College/University of Charleston Alumni and Friends:

Some people measure their lives by position, power or wealth. Others find validation in recognition, awards or fame. How few are those who build lives upon the firmer foundation of imparting goodness to those around them. Rarer still is the person who inspires others to be better people simply by the act of being a friend. Joan Elizabeth Turner was that kind of person and that kind of friend.

Most of us met "Joannie" on campus at the University of Charleston. How could we not notice her quick smile, her soft, sparkling eyes, her face-full of freckles and her auburn hair. Yet, for all of her physical attractiveness, it was the glow of personality, of her spirit, that drew us to her and always lifted our hearts when she was around.

Joan Turner's untimely death has taken her away from us but she will always live on in our memories. When I think of Joan, I see her in the CT near the Sorority bulletin boards or sitting on the steps of the Student Union, probably helping someone learn but maybe just laughing at someone's joke. Most precious are my memories of the time we spent alone, when Joan always made me feel like I was the most important person on earth. Funny how she had a knack for doing that with so many people.

My sadness about Joannie's death has subsided over the years. My life, however, will always be more complete because I knew her. She gave me a wonderful gift all those years ago at UC, the gift of her unique friendship which, in spite of the years, has never faded. Her life, although too short, was oh-so-rich in everything that really matters. How true are the words of Biology professor CT Meadors who once wrote: "We recall her zest, her standards, her ideals, her active participation. We are better for knowing her - tomorrow will be better by remembering her."

I am sure you have similar memories of Joan Turner and share some of these same feelings. Or, perhaps you are meeting her for the first time through this letter. Either way, I know many regard her as one of the most extraordinary persons they ever knew. Period. She was a beacon so bright and her light should continue to shine at UC.

As such, on this November 25th, 1998, Joan's birthday, I am proud to write and present, on behalf of all the donors and the Scholarship Committee, the Joan Elizabeth Turner Memorial Scholarship Fund. We are trying to endow the Scholarship so it lives on perpetually. We need $10,000.00 and are already close (over $7,000.00 has been raised) to attaining the goal. If Joan was a friend, you will surely want to contribute as a tangible way to say "thank you" for all she brought to your life. If you did not know her, you may want to make a donation to the Fund and help keep a student in college. Plus, as a friend of UC and higher learning, there is simply no finer name you can associate yourself with than that of Joan Elizabeth Turner.

Joan's love and friendship still lives on today and she is helping old friends renew their ties. This is just what Joan was all about. Will you put your arms around Joan once more by joining the growing list of contributors to this worthwhile cause? I hope you will. Thank you for allowing me to articulate some of my feelings about a wonderful person, a true and dear friend. Next year, another friend of Joan's, Kathy O'Brien Muldoon, will send a letter on Thanksgiving Day and report about the Scholarship Fund, its progress and development, its endowment and also offer Joan Elizabeth Turner insight. Please join us and be part of a wonderful life, a beautiful person, a goal attained and this very worthwhile project. Thank you!

All the best,
Greg McCollam
University of Charleston Class of 1980

PS: Please photocopy this letter and pass it on to friends. We are also diligently looking for Julie Prado, Kevin Smith and Kevin Muldoon. If you know where they are please call Rob Clemenz at 504.482.2467 CALL COLLECT!

GM/rc